ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed a keen interest in attracting investment from the United Kingdom during a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on Saturday, as his administration continued active economic diplomacy by encouraging countries worldwide to explore opportunities in mining, tourism, information technology and agriculture sectors.
Faced with daunting financial challenges, Pakistan sought the International Monetary Fund (IMF) assistance and encouraged businesses and entrepreneurs from friendly nations to invest in the local market to reap benefits and help with the country’s economic recovery.
So far, the government’s focus has mainly remained on the Gulf states since the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a civil-military hybrid body, established last year to oversee foreign financing.
However, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced earlier this week investors from the United States and European countries were also taking interest in putting their money in Pakistan amid its gradually recovering economy.
“Pakistan and the United Kingdom enjoy long-standing relations that are further strengthening with the passage of time,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news service.
The APP also reported that Sharif highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve governance structures and introducing institutional reforms.
“He said that the government was taking measures at the micro and macroeconomic levels to recover the country’s economy,” the report said. “Moreover, he said the digitization process of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was in the final stage.”

ISLAMABAD: In a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 Azlan Shah Hockey Cup on Saturday, Japan defeated Pakistan in a penalty shootout after a tense 2-2 draw, dashing the Pakistan team’s hopes that had reached the tournament final for the first time since 2011 following a series of stellar performances.
Six teams participated in the event, including the tournament Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Canada. Pakistan won the Azlan Shah Cup title three times in the past and was the second runners-up in the last edition which was also held in Malaysia two years ago.
Prior to facing Japan the second time in the tournament, Pakistan played against New Zealand on Friday in a match that ended in a tie.
“Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for,” the Pakistan Hockey Federation exclaimed in a social media post prior to the match. “The FINAL showdown of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is here, and our beloved Green Shirts are ready to take on Japan ... Let’s rally behind our team with all our support and cheers as they aim for glory on the field!”

In a riveting showdown, Japan seized an early lead with a field goal in the 12th minute, igniting a fierce contest that saw both teams neck and neck until the final whistle.
As regular time expired with the score deadlocked, the match escalated into an electrifying shootout phase.
When the dust settled, however, Japan had triumphed with a convincing 4-1 victory, clinching the cup and retaining their top position on the leaderboard where they already stood tall with 13 points right ahead of the final.
Pakistan, despite a valiant effort, were on the second place with two draws.