Pakistan and Sri Lanka are co-hosting an Asian Cricket Council tournament next month, with Bangladesh playing all their group matches in Karachi.
Most cricket nations have steered clear of Pakistan since gunmen attacked Sri Lanka´s team bus in 2009, killing several people.
But international cricket is slowly returning, with Zimbabwe and the West Indies among countries to visit Pakistan in recent years.
The Bangladesh squad being sent for the Emerging Teams Asia Cup starting December 6 is the first since 2015 to visit Pakistan.
"We agreed to the tour following assurance of adequate security by the Pakistan Cricket Board," said Bangladesh Cricket Board boss Nizamuddin Chowdhury.
The board would also sent a security detail with the squad, he added.
Bangladesh are in Group B alongside hosts Pakistan, Hong Kong and the UAE.
Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, India and Oman in Group A will play their matches in Colombo, which will also host the semis and final.
Squad:
Nurul Hasan (Capt), Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Mizanur Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Zakir Hasan, Saif Hassan, Yasir Ali, Tanvir Islam, Afif Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Shoriful Islam, Qazi Onik, Khaled Ahmed, Mohor Sheikh
Under a new format controversially adopted by the International Tennis Federation in association with an investment group headed by Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique, the competition will now be decided at a week-long season-ending 18-team event.
It will be held in Madrid in November.
Six teams are already guaranteed a spot with Australia -- the second most successful Davis Cup nation behind the United States -- needing to qualify.
The new format will see them play the Bosnians in best of three-set matches -- as opposed to the previous five-set matches -- over February 1 and 2, with two singles played on the first day and a doubles and the reverse singles on the second.
"It will be fantastic to return to my home city and see Adelaide host this event in February," said captain Lleyton Hewitt, who previously slammed the new-look Davis Cup as a "money-grab" that would ruin the historic event.
He was among four generations of Australian Davis Cup captains and players, including Rod Laver and John Newcombe, who united this year to oppose the reforms.
The Davis Cup used to be structured around a 16-nation World Group, contested over four weekends during the year. The remaining countries were then divided into three regional zones.
The last time Adelaide hosted a Davis Cup tie was in 2004, with Australia beaten 4-1 by Sweden in a World Group first round tie, in which Hewitt played.
Abbas injured his right shoulder while fielding in the Dubai Test after which the doctors' had advised the medium-pacer to rest.
Abbas had destroyed Australia with a haul of 17 wickets in the series against the kangaroos, becoming the first Pakistani fast bowler to take ten wickets in a Test since Mohammad Asif's feat against Sri Lanka at Kandy in 2006.
According to sources, the fast bowler has seen a specialist who has said that it could take up to three to four weeks for the shoulder to heal.
Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is expected to replace injured Abbas in the Abu Dhabi Test.
The third and series-deciding final Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand will start on December 3rd.
Yasir recorded match figures of 14 for 184 as Pakistan bounced back in Dubai to level the series with New Zealand following an innings-and-16-run victory. He is back in the top-10 in 10th position after jumping nine places.
A number of other players have also improved their rankings, following impressive performances in the just-concluded Tests.
In the batting table — which Virat Kohli of India continues to lead — Azhar Ali has moved up three places to 12th, Kusal Mendis is 20th (up by eight places), Ben Stokes is 31st (up by five places), Roshen Silva is 48th (up by five places) and Shane Dowrich is 58th (up by seven places).
Jonny Bairstow’s 110 and 15 was the cornerstone of England’s 42-run victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo, which gave the visitors a 3-0 series win while Mominul Haque scored 120 and 12 as Bangladesh defeated the Windies by 64 runs in Chittagong for their maiden win over the Caribbean side.
Bairstow has returned to the top-20 in 16th place after rising six places, Mominul is now just outside the top-20 in 24th place after moving up 11 places.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls leads the pack of batsmen who have achieved career-high rankings.
Nicholls is now ranked 17th (up by three places), Jos Buttler is 18th (up by three places), Haris Sohail is 38th (up by 33 places), Babar Azam is 39th (up by 24 places) and Ben Foakes is 50th (up by four places).
In the bowlers’ table, Kagiso Rabada has become the number-one bowler after England’s James Anderson lost one per cent of his points for missing the Colombo Test. This meant Anderson lost nine points and has now dropped eight points behind the South Africa fast bowler.
Apart from Yasir, other bowlers to move up the ladder are: Taijul Islam at a career-high 21st position (up six places), Stokes at 28th (up three places), Devendra Bishoo at 32nd (up two places), Adil Rashid at a career-best 36th (up two places), Jack Leach at 41st (up two places), Lakshan Sandakan at a career-high 45th (up 11 places) and Malinda Pushpakumara at 61st (up 15 places).
The husband of Pakistan’s second highest scorer in One Day International cricket is a software engineer by profession.
Fast bowler diana baig, javeria and other women cricketers joined the ceremony.
The 32-year-old, who took 8-41 on Monday, had figures of 6-143 in the second innings for a match haul of 14-184.
New Zealand — following-on after being dismissed for 90 in the first innings in Dubai — were bowled out for 312 soon after tea on the fourth day.
His figures are the second best match figures in all Tests for Pakistan, behind former captain and current prime minister Imran Khan's 14-116 against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 1982.
For New Zealand, Ross Taylor top-scored with 82, while Henry Nicholls made 77 and Tom Latham 50.
Arthur said Yasir is a match winner.
"We knew he had a big performance inside of him," said Arthur of Yasir, who now has 195 wickets in 32 Tests.
"That first innings, I think there was a spell of about half an hour of the best leg-spin bowling you will ever see. Fourteen wickets in a Test match is superb."
With his extraordinary performance, Yasir is in sight of breaking Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett's 93-year-old record of being fastest to 200 wickets in 36 Tests.
"Yasir is very comfortable mentally, and he knows what an important cog he is in our Test line up," Arthur said. "He got his rhythm going and we felt he was really good."
The victory squares the series at 1-1, setting up an intriguing third and final Test in Abu Dhabi starting from Monday.
New Zealand won the first Test by four runs, also in Abu Dhabi.
Arthur said his players had worked really hard after the disappointing defeat.
"The guys believe in their own ability," said Arthur, who took over in May 2016. "We discussed exactly what went wrong, worked through that, to maintain that belief, which is so important at this level."
Arthur backed under-fire skipper Sarfraz Ahmed.
"His work ethic is tireless. Him and I work so hard together. I was so disappointed when people were saying there was a rift between Saffy and I, because there has never been anything like that between us."
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said Yasir exploited the conditions to the best effect.
"He was brilliant," said Williamson. "I mean some of the deliveries that he bowled to guys facing first or second balls in their innings was very difficult to negotiate.
"To be able to do that so early on in an innings is a big challenge. So yeah it was one of those performances from Yasir that we know how good he is as a bowler and he exploited the conditions very well."
Williamson hoped his team respond to a more confident Pakistan in the final Test.
"It was a great game in Abu Dhabi and one of our great Test wins. We know how difficult it is to play Pakistan in these conditions and now they will be more confident.
"Hopefully we can build on some of the confidence we took in the second half of this game."
Cristiano Ronaldo provided the assist that allowed the Croatian to tap in just before the hour mark in Turin.
The win for the Italian champions, who only needed a point to ensure qualification, combined with Manchester United snatching a late 1-0 win over Young Boys at Old Trafford means Valencia crash out of the competition.
Massimiliano Allegri s side will now have to wait to see whether they top the group when they play their final group game mid-December in Bern against Young Boys.
Juventus have 12 points from five games with Manchester United on ten.
"We ve grown from last year," said Allegri, whose side were knocked out in the quarter-finals last year by Real Madrid.
"We have become faster in playing the ball, then of course, there is Cristiano Ronaldo ... but we made some mistakes and we did not get a second goal, we have to improve.
"Ronaldo gives us a sense of security and confidence, but the team is essentially the same as last season."
Ronaldo came out firing on all cylinders after his controversial red card during his first Champions League game for Juventus in Valencia back in September, which Allegri s side still won 2-0.
The five-time Ballon d Or winner was in top form in the Allianz Stadium with chances in the first three minutes, including a powerful drive straight at Valencia s Brazilian goalkeeper Neto.
Juventus controlled the game with Rodrigo Bentancur and Blaise Matuidi masters of the midfield with Dybala up front flanked by Ronaldo and Mandzukic.
Miralem Pjanic and Giorgio Chiellini had penalty calls waved aside, with Ronaldo again skimming the post after 25 minutes.
A clever Leonardo Bonucci backheel flip was picked up by Joao Cancelo whose curling effort flew past the post to the frustration of Ronaldo who had been position for the pass.
However the hosts could thank goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny for going into the break 0-0 when his one-handed save stopped Mouctar Diakhaby s searing header.
Juventus piled on the pressure after the break with Neto denying Ronaldo from a free-kick.
But Mandzukic broke through in the 59th minute as Ronaldo shook off Gabriel with some fancy footwork and flashed a low shot across the face of goal that found the Croatian forward, who just had to finish off.
Valencia thought they had scored two minutes later but Diakhaby s header was ruled out and the defender penalised for handball.
The Spaniards could thank Neto for limiting the damage, clearing a curling Dybala shot and a late Ronaldo header.
"We should have been sharper going for the second goal," said Allegri.
"Valencia proved they are in good shape, have the best defence in La Liga and it s not easy to score against them."
In Pakistan’s second Test match against New Zealand, Shah picked up 8 wickets in the first session followed by 6 in the second to finish with figures of 14-184.
Yasir’s figures are the second best match return ever for Pakistan in Test cricket, bettered only by former captain and current Prime Minister Imran Khan who took 14-116 against Sri Lanka in Lahore in 1982.
"I came to know yesterday (about Imran Khan's record) so it's an honour that my name will come with him," said Yasir.
"I haven’t bowled as well as this, especially with the pitch offering turn and bounce like it did. We wanted to put the disappointment of the first Test behind us and set up the series."
With his performance, Yasir Shah became the only Pakistani spinner to pick up 14 wickets, surpassing Abdul Qadir who claimed 13-101 against England in Lahore in 1987.
They are also the best by a Pakistani bowler against New Zealand, beating Waqar Younis’s 12-130 in Faisalabad in 1990.
Best match figures for Pakistani bowlers:
— ICC (@ICC) November 27, 2018
1. Imran Khan 14/116 v Sri Lanka, 1982
2. Yasir Shah 14/184 v New Zealand, 2018
3. Abdul Qadir 13/103 v England,1987
4. Fazal Mahmood 13/114 v Australia, 1956
5. Waqar Younis 13/135 v Zimbabwe, 1993 pic.twitter.com/o2FITFc3Nm
Resuming on 131-2 after being forced to follow-on, New Zealand were trailing by 288 runs on the fourth day of the second Test.
Legspinner Yasir Shah (2-111) bowled 16 wicketless overs in the morning session, while fast bowler Hasan Ali (1-15) and Bilal Asif (1-47) who were among the wickets.
Shah took 10 wickets on the third day that included career-best 8-41 to dismiss New Zealand for just 90 in the first innings.
But the leg-spinner bowled either too full or too short to challenge New Zealand in the first session on Tuesday.
Hasan provided the breakthrough when Latham (50) was contentiously adjudged caught behind soon after completing his half century.
On-field umpire Paul Reiffel thought Latham had edged Hasan and went to third umpire Ian Gould to confirm through television replays.
Spikes did appear on replay technology as the ball passed the bat when Latham played a defensive shot close to his front pad.
However, the batsman walked off the field in disbelief.
This ended an 80-run third-wicket stand between Taylor and Latham, who hit four boundaries in his 158-ball knock.
Two balls later Nicholls successfully reviewed an lbw decision against him as TV replays showed Hasan's delivery would have missed the leg stump.
Taylor (82) completed his half century off 54 balls when he drove Hasan through the point boundary off the first ball of the day.
But Taylor went on the defense for a while before he played a reckless sweep, half an hour before lunch, and top edged off-spinner Asif to deep backward square leg.
Taylor's half century featured seven fours and a six and came off 128 balls.
New Zealand leads the series 1-0 after narrowly winning the first Test by four runs.
"Happy to have helped the team on another important win," the 33-year-old wrote on social media after scoring his tenth goal this season for the Italian giants in Saturday s 2-0 win over SPAL as Juventus opened up a record eight-point lead on the top of Serie A after 13 games.
Ronaldo was purchased by Juventus for 100 million euros ($113 million) from Real Madrid last summer to help their quest for the elusive Champions League title after finishing runners up twice in the past four seasons.
But the Portuguese superstar is also proving to be a key element in the team s race towards an eighth straight Serie A title, with nine goals and five assists of their 28 goals this season.
No Italian team have ever achieved 37 points from the first 13 games, with Ronaldo becoming the fastest forward in the club s history to score 10 goals in all competitions.
"I don t not care about the numbers. I don t count anything, the important thing is that we take it home in May," said coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Next up is a Group H return leg clash against Valencia, who beat Rayo Vallecano 3-0 in La Liga at the weekend, but are midtable in Spain.
Juventus are top of the group with nine points after four games, with Manchester United two points behind and the Spaniards on five.
Ronaldo s Champions League debut for Juventus in September was marred when he was controversially sent off in tears after half an hour for a small push on Valencia defender Jeison Murillo in Spain.
The red card was his first in 154 Champions League appearances, but Juventus still went on to beat the Spaniards 2-0.
Ronaldo scored his first Champions League goal for Juventus and the 121st of his career against Manchester United in Turin earlier this month before a stunning comeback gave his former club a 2-1 win to delay the Italians passage to the last 16.
Despite his success on the pitch -- leading the way in Europe with 31 goals this calendar year for both Real Madrid and Juventus -- Ronaldo missed out on the world player of the year award to Croatia s Luca Modric.
There are also reports he has been snubbed for the final three in the Ballon d Or for the first time since 2008, with the winner to be revealed in Paris on December 3.
Ronaldo -- a five-time Ballon d Or winner -- spent much of last month vehemently denying allegations by former model Kathryn Mayorga that he raped her in Las Vegas in 2009.
He was dropped by Portugal for the Nations League internationals, with the European champions becoming the first team to book their passage to the semi-finals.
Leaving Ronaldo off the Ballon d Or podium would be "madness," says Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici.
"Only a fool can doubt his qualities," said Paratici.
"He is the best player in the world and the most important in the history of football.
"At this moment I see him very serene, as he has always been here at Juve. The fact that he cannot win the Ballon d Or seems very strange, since he scored 15 goals in one Champions League campaign (last season)," he said.
Colombian teammate Juan Cuadrado warned that Ronaldo s focus remains on the pitch, as he bids to add to his five Champions League titles between Manchester United and Real Madrid.
"Cristiano Ronaldo s main quality is his professionalism," said Cuadrado. "He s hungry for victory and he s come to the right place. We all think the same way he does."
Juventus won the elite European title twice in 1985 and 1996, but have finished runners-up seven times.
As it turned out, the third day’s play dramatically changed in favour of Pakistan as Yasir cast his magical spell on the visitors to end with a career best 8 for 41. That is what his figures tell you when you go through the scorecard but the real worth of it could be gauged from the way Yasir bowled to completely mesmerise the Kiwis and bowl them out for under three figure mark.
From 50 for none to 90 all out is some something out of the ordinary and it all started when Yasir got the ball in only the seventh over of the day to trigger the slide.
Let me assure you though this has nothing to do with the pitch or the nature of it which caused the Kiwis to collapse. It was, in fact, one of those bowling performances that belie all calculations and which in the end proves to be the deciding factor.
Yasir Shah is an amazing product of our much-maligned domestic cricket system which somehow continues to produce match-winners.
Making his debut for the country four years ago, Yasir has gone from strength to strength through his skills and have reached the pinnacle of the art of leg-spin for which great such as Abdul Qadir, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble are known for.
What also goes in praise of his skills is the fact that all his wickets have been taken on foreign soil and not at his home ground in Test cricket.
The adopted home of Pakistan cricket, UAE , however, is his favourite hunting ground where in 16 Tests he has taken over hundred wickets. His current tally in the 31 Tests he has played so far stands at a staggering 191 wickets.
Leg-spin is an art which requires not only variation of flight and spin but also a sharp mind to bring the batsmen’s downfall of the batsmen.
Overnight rain may have in some way have affected the behaviour of the pitch but it is to Yasir’s credit how he exploited the moisture on the wicket. But that does not in any manner take away the brilliance of Yasir’s control on the ball and his guile that bamboozled the Kiwis.
Bouncy and bubbly character like Qadir was in his heydays, Yasir turned out to be the bane of the visiting batsmen as he hopped and jumped and bowled with nagging accuracy to deceive them in the air and off the pitch to get the desired results.
On Monday, batsmen after batsmen faltered to his tempting deliveries which pitched, bounced and turned to do all the damage to the New Zealand side and has brought Pakistan very close to victory.
His ten wickets in a day of a Test — eight in the first innings and two in the second — makes him the first Pakistan bowler to achieve such a feat and a Pakistan win will be a just reward for the spin-wizard.
The 32-year-old grabbed 8-41 in 12.3 overs which annihilated New Zealand to 90 all out in just 35.3 overs before taking two more wickets as New Zealand -- following on -- were 131-2 at close in their second innings.
Yasir dismissed opener Jeet Raval for two before accounting for New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson caught behind for 30 to complete his third ten-wicket haul in the match.
Tom Latham (44) and Ross Taylor (49) were at the crease at close as New Zealand need another 197 runs to avoid an innings defeat while Pakistan can level the series by taking another eight wickets with two days to play.
New Zealand won the first Test in Abu Dhabi by four runs last week to gain a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Taylor has hit six boundaries and a six in his return-to-form innings while Latham has hit three boundaries as the two have added 65 for the unbroken third wicket stand to take the fight to the Pakistan bowlers.
But the day belonged to Yasir, who rocked New Zealand in the first innings.
He also became the first Pakistani to take ten wickets in a single day, ninth in the world with England s left-arm spinner Johnny Briggs doing it twice.
"When I was coming to the ground I was thinking that I must get ten wickets in the match, but never thought it will come in a single day," said Yasir.
"I came from injury and didn t get the needed rhythm against Australia (last month) but now I am getting it and very happy to achieve this feat," said Yasir.
Rain had delayed the start of the third day by an hour but when the action started Yasir was lightening, bowling to his best ability on a turning Dubai stadium pitch.
Yasir dismissed Latham (22), Taylor (nought) and Henry Nicholls (nought) in his ninth over, triggering a collapse during which New Zealand lost all their ten wickets for just 40 runs after being well set on 50 without loss.
Yasir s bowling figures -- his 15th five-wicket haul -- beat his previous best of 7-76 against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2015 and also the best against New Zealand.
Intikhab Alam (7-52) held the record for Pakistan s best bowling against New Zealand, achieved at Dunedin in 1973.
New Zealand, resuming at 27 without loss, lost Raval in an unfortunate way as he tried to reverse sweep Yasir but the ball deflected off his bat to his thigh and hit the stumps.
Raval top-scored with 31.
From 50-1 it became 61-2 when Yasir had Latham caught at short-leg by Imam-ul-Haq off the first ball of his ninth over.
Two balls later he bowled experienced Taylor with a beautiful delivery that turned and beat the forward push by the batsman.
Off his fifth ball Yasir bowled Nicholls through the gap between bat and pad.
It was Yasir who ran Bradley-John Watling run out soon after lunch for one before dismissing Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel and Trent Boult -- all without scoring in the space of nine balls.
Six New Zealand batsmen fell without scoring, making it the fifth occasion in a Test when six batsmen failed to score in an innings.
Williamson remained unbeaten on 28, watching wickets fell like nine pins at the other end.
With Sodhi s wicket Yasir also completed 100 wickets in 16 Tests in United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Sharja and Abu Dhabi).
The third Test will be played in Abu Dhabi from December 3.
Sohail scored his second Test hundred taking 309 balls to reach the three-figure mark. Babar Azam ably supported Sohail with the two so far adding 100 for the unfinished fifth wicket stand, taking Pakistan towards a strong first innings total.
Resuming on 207-4, Sohail started on an unbeaten 81 and Babar Azam on 14.Pakistan trail the three-match series 1-0 after losing the first Test in Abu Dhabi by a narrow four-run margin. The teams return to the same venue for the final match from December 3 to 7.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Imam ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain and wicketkeeper), Bilal Asif, Yasir Shah, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Abbas
New Zealand: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wicketkeeper), Colin de Grandhomme. Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult
European consumer agencies on Tuesday said they will file complaints against Google for allegedly breaching the EU's data protection law GDPR by tracking the movement of users without their consent through features such as "location history" and "web and app activity."
Consumer groups from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia and Sweden said they will file complaints with their countries' respective data protection authorities, which is basic procedure under GDPR.
Norwegian consumer group Forbrukerradet tweeted a video explaining Google's practices, saying the tech giant "manipulates you to accept being followed step by step."
Google manipulates you to accept being followed step by step. See what you allegedly have said yes to, and why this is in breach of GDPR. @beuc @Consumentenbond @ekpizo @SvKonsumenter @CasopisdTest @zpsslo #deceivedbydesign https://t.co/VGuufPgvyG pic.twitter.com/FNhmwBlhro
— Forbrukerrådet (@Forbrukerradet) November 27, 2018
"These unfair practices leave consumers in the dark about the use of their personal data," the European Consumer Organization said in a statement. "They do not give consumers a real choice other than providing their location data, which is then used by the company for a wide range of purposes, including targeted advertising."
'Improve your Google experience'
But Google has rejected the allegations. A company spokesman told Reuters news agency that "location history" is turned off "by default." He added that users can decide to edit, delete or pause its use whenever they want to.
"If you pause it, we make clear that — depending on your individual phone and app settings — we might still collect and use location data to improve your Google experience," the spokesman said.
Google has consistently asserted its commitment to GDPR, saying its services comply with the EU regulation.
'Forced consent'
The GDPR, formerly known as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, went into effect on May 25, 2018. But this isn't the first time Google has been targeted by GDPR complaints.
On day one of enforcement, Austrian digital rights group Noyb filed complaints against Google's Android application for what it described as "forced consent." Instead of making users feel free to make a decision about a service's data privacy policy, "the opposite feeling spread on the screens" of users, the group argued.
Under GDPR, an entity such as Google can be fined up to 4 percent of global revenues for violations.
Under the initiative announced Monday, female entrepreneurs and programmers will attend two-week tutorial sessions at the company's Cupertino, California, headquarters.
The camps will be held every three months beginning in January. For each round, Apple will accept up to 20 app makers founded or led by a woman. The app maker must have at least one female programmer in its ranks to qualify. Apple will cover travel expenses for up to three workers from each accepted company.
Like other major tech companies, Apple has been trying to lessen its dependence on men in high-paying programming jobs. Women filled just 23 percent of Apple's technology jobs in 2017, according to the company's latest breakdown. That's only a slight improvement from 20 percent in 2014, despite the company's pledge to diversify its workforce.
The idea behind the new camp is to keep women interested and immersed in the field, said Esther Hare, Apple's senior director of world developer marketing.
It's not clear how much of a dent Apple's new program will have. Google also offers training for girls and women pursuing careers in technology, but its program hasn't done much to diversify the workforce so far. Women were hired for nearly 25 percent of Google's technology jobs in 2017, up from nearly 21 percent in 2014, according to the company.
Apple and other technology companies maintain that one of the main reasons so many men are on their payrolls is because women traditionally haven't specialized in the mathematical and science curriculum needed to program.
But industry critics have accused the technology companies of discriminating again women through a male-dominated hierarchy that has ruled the industry for decades.
Apple isn't saying how much it is spending on the initiative, though beyond travel expenses, the company will be relying on its current employees to lead the sessions.
The dramatic arrival of the $993 million spacecraft -- designed to listen for quakes and tremors as a way to unveil the Red Planet s inner mysteries, how it formed billions of years ago and, by extension, how other rocky planets like Earth took shape -- marked the eighth successful landing on Mars in NASA s history.
"Touchdown confirmed," a mission control operator at NASA said, as pent-up anxiety and excitement surged through the room, and dozens of scientists leapt from their seats to embrace each other.
"It was intense and you could feel the emotion," said NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, in an interview on NASA television afterward.
Bridenstine also said Vice President Mike Pence called to congratulate the US space agency for its hard work.
The vehicle appeared to be in good shape, according to the first communications received from the Martian surface.
But as expected, the dust kicked up during the landing obscured the first picture InSight sent back, which was heavily flecked.
"Here s a quick-and-dirty attempt at processing out distortion in the first image from InSight," Emily Lakdawalla, senior editor at the Planetary Society, wrote on Twitter.
"It does look like the lander is a bit tilted, which is not ideal, but the workspace looks flat as a pancake and nearly rock-free."
The principal investigator on the French seismometer, Philippe Lognonne, said he was "relieved and very happy" at the outcome.
"I ve just received confirmation that there are no rocks in front of the lander," he told AFP.
Next, InSight must open its solar arrays, as NASA waits until later in the afternoon to learn if that final, crucial phase went as planned.
The spacecraft is meant to be solar-powered once it reaches the surface of Mars.
A post-launch press conference is planned for 2200 GMT.
The spacecraft is NASA s first to touch down on Earth s neighboring planet since the Curiosity rover arrived in 2012.
More than half of 43 attempts to reach Mars with rovers, orbiters and probes by space agencies from around the world have failed.
NASA is the only space agency to have made it, and is invested in these robotic missions as a way to prepare for the first Mars-bound human explorers in the 2030s.
"We never take Mars for granted. Mars is hard," Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for the science mission directorate, said on Sunday.
The nail-biting entry, descent and landing phase began at 11:47 am (1940 GMT) at NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, home to mission control for Mars InSight, and ended one second before 1953 GMT.
A carefully orchestrated sequence -- already fully preprogrammed on board the spacecraft -- unfolded over the following several minutes, coined "six and a half minutes of terror."
Speeding faster than a bullet at 12,300 miles (19,800 kilometers) an hour, the heat-shielded spacecraft encountered scorching friction as it entered the Mars atmosphere.
The heat shield soared to a temperature of 2,700 Fahrenheit (about 1,500 Celsius) before it was discarded, the three landing legs deployed and the parachute popped out, easing InSight down to the Martian surface.
InSight contains key instruments that were contributed by several European space agencies.
France s Centre National d Etudes Spatiales (CNES) made the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) instrument, the key element for sensing quakes.
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) provided a self-hammering mole that can burrow 16 feet (five meters) into the surface -- further than any instrument before -- to measure heat flow.
Spain s Centro de Astrobiologia made the spacecraft s wind sensors.
Three of InSight s seismic instruments were designed and built in Britain.
Other significant contributions came from the Space Research Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Astronika and the Swiss Institute of Technology.
"It is wonderful news that the InSight spacecraft has landed safely on Mars," said Sue Horne, head of space exploration at the UK Space Agency.
Together, the instruments will study geological processes, said Bruce Banerdt, InSight s principal investigator at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
By listening for tremors on Mars, whether from quakes or meteor impacts or even volcanic activity, scientists can learn more about its interior and reveal how the planet formed.
The goal is to map the inside of Mars in three dimensions, "so we understand the inside of Mars as well as we have come to understand the outside of Mars," Banerdt told reporters.
The PML-N leader’s comments came in reaction to the US dollar hitting an all-time high of Rs142 in the interbank market on Friday morning.
“The government has come to an agreement with IMF and is lying to the nation. The public should be told under which conditions the agreement has been made with the monetary watchdog,” Aurangzeb demanded.
Criticising Finance Minister Asad Umar’s comments during a ceremony to mark Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s 100-days in power, she said, “Asad Umar lied and deceived the nation yesterday. Overnight the dishonest and fake government has robbed the nation.”
Aurangzeb expressed concern that the latest depreciation of the rupee would lead to an even worse price hike.
“Imran-led government should resign over its lies and fraud,” she said.
“It has been proven that running a government and solving problems of the nation is not under their [PTI] control. Time and circumstances are telling us that this ‘chicken and egg’ government cannot run the country," the PML-N leader added.
According to Pakistani High Commission, Nafees Zakaria met Mahathir Mohamad and gave an invite for state visit.
Zakaria said that the prime minister is satisfied with the results of the visit to Malaysia. He said that sending skilled workforce should be observed and investors should come to Pakistan.
On Nov 20, the prime minister went to Malaysia for a two-day visit and invited Dr Mahathir to visit Pakistan as chief guest on Pakistan Day on March 23—which he accepted.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case regarding the alleged misbehaviour of the GB minister with the arrival incharge at the Islamabad airport after his flight was delayed on November 16.
Censuring the GB minister over his misbehavior, the chief justice asked Hussain, “Did you push the airport staff? Are you an educated person?”
The minister admitted that he had pushed the airport staff.
Justice Nisar then questioned, “Were you in your senses at the time? How did you interfere in official affairs?”
“A poor man was mocked at the airport,” the top judge remarked. “We will call the Islamabad IGP and get a case registered against you,” he further told Hussain.
At this, the GB tourism minister said, “I did not push him owing to ill intentions. I pushed him, but there is a story behind it.”
On November 16, Justice Nisar had taken notice of the alleged misbehaviour of Gilgit Baltistan Tourism Minister Fida Hussain with the arrival incharge at the Islamabad airport.
As per media reports, the incident took place over a flight delay due to bad weather and the minister pushed the arrival incharge so hard that he stumbled, a SC press release had stated.
The GB minister was among passengers of PK-507 scheduled to travel from Islamabad to Gilgit who protested after their flight was delayed due to bad weather.
A video of Hussain showed him pushing the airport official saying not to “waste his time.” In another video, Hussain was also seen burning clothes at the airport and stopping staff who came to extinguish the fire. The protest came to an end after assurances by the airport manager.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar is hearing the suo motu case on foreign bank accounts and assets owned by Pakistani citizens.
As the hearing went under way, the matter pertaining to the PM’s sister owing property abroad was also raised and the FBR adopted an ambiguous attitude towards it.
The chief justice asked the FBR chairman, “Does Aleema Khan own any property in the United Arab Emirates.” The FBR chairman in response said, “There is no official confirmation regarding this as yet.”
“If Aleema Khan declared the property in her amnesty scheme then the matter is confidential. If the court orders, we will present a record of the amnesty scheme,” the FBR chairman added.
Justice Nisar then inquired, “Does Aleema Khan own any property in Dubai or did she declare any foreign property in her amnesty scheme. This matter is being highlighted for days now.” At this, a member of the land revenue board said that Aleema Khan owns a property abroad.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked, “To claim the amnesty scheme, foreign properties need to be declared. Why are you not telling us this when the chief justice is asking you.” The member of the land revenue board responded, “I was talking about confidential details.”
Justice Nisar turned to the member of the land revenue board and said, “Is Aleema Khan’s property in your name or is it your property? Why do you keep bringing up that it is confidential?”
The chief justice ordered, “Provide us with sealed details of Aleema Khan’s property. We will review the details ourselves.” The bench also sought details of Aleema Khan’s tax records.
Further, Justice Nisar told FBR and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials, “We want results in the case on foreign properties owned by Pakistani citizens.”
“You sent notices to all of Pakistan and there is no focus on the properties the court had asked for,” the top judge remarked.
The youth, identified as Aadil Ahmad Lone and Adnan Bilal Butt, were martyred by Indian troops in the garb of a cordon and search operation at Khrew in Awantipora area of Pulwama district. The killing led to complete shutdown in Chattergam, Sopore, Awantipora and Malangpora areas. Internet services were suspended while higher secondary schools and colleges remained closed.
Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in multiple rounds of funerals held for Adnan and Aadil in Pulwama and a third youth, Merajud Din, in Sopore area of Baramulla district, today. Merajuddin along with another youth was martyred by the troops at Chattergam in Badgam, yesterday. Several mourners were injured when the forces fired bullets, pellets and teargas shells during the funeral in Sopore. The youth were laid to rest in their native villages amid pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
The Chairman of Hurriyat forum, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement in Srinagar while welcoming the opening of the Kartarpur corridor asked for resolving the Kashmir dispute to open the doors of peace and prosperity in South Asia.
The Chairman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai in a statement issued in Srinagar, today, said that people of Jammu and Kashmir were eagerly seeking the intervention by the United Nations to stop India from committing the genocide of the Kashmiris and address the Kashmir dispute.
The leaders of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front addressing a meeting in Srinagar, today, expressed concern over the deteriorating health condition of illegally detained party Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik.
A delegation of Islamic Political Party visited SMHS hospital in Srinagar to enquire about the health of the people, injured in indiscriminate firing of pellets and bullets by Indian forces in South Kashmir.
On the other hand, former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik while making a mention of the UN resolutions and Human Right Commission’s recent report on Jammu and Kashmir has said that the international community is interested in the settlement of the Kashmir issue. Kjell Magne Bondevik said that he was convinced that there was no military solution to the Kashmir problem.
Talking to Director Gender Equality, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Sarah Hendriks in Islamabad, she said protection of women rights is top priority of the government.
They discussed in detail various issues relating to women empowerment and protection of human rights, especially the rights of women.
Director, Gender Equality, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation appreciated the government and its efforts to protect and promote fundamental rights of people.
The case against the ban on NGOs heard by the judge of IHC justice Amir Farooq while deputy attorney general Raja Khalid Mehmood also appeared before the court.
Judge asked, “Who issued the order banning NGOs, what are reasons, and had government objection on their funding or operation?”In its reply deputy attorney general told the court that interior ministry had ordered the banning of NGOs and they have only a day to shut their operation.
The court directed the prosecutor to submit para-wise comments today.
Court also ordered interior officials to appear before the court tomorrow in person and also sought details of the ban on NGOs from the deputy attorney general.
Later hearing adjourned till tomorrow, Friday.
Addressing the ceremony of achievements in 100 days of PTI government in Islamabad today, he said good intentions reap good results and the government is sincere to bring real change in the lives of people.
He said the employment opportunities are being created to improve the living conditions and standards of life for poor people.
The Prime Minister said a uniform education system will be brought into the country to eradicate the education apartheid. He said similarly reforms are also being made in the health sector. A task force is working to improve the conditions of government hospitals so that poor people avail standard health facilities. He said Health Cards will be given to all poor people across the country.
Imran Khan said a single authority will be created to devise and implement policies for poverty alleviation. He said corruption leads to poverty.
The Prime Minister said this menace increases poverty in the countries as it deprives the nation of their due rights.
He said there will be no future of the country, unless the scourge of corruption is curtailed.
The Prime Minister said NAB is an independent institution for accountability and its performance can be further increased.
He said the conviction rate by NAB is very low and it should be increased to bring more perpetrators of corruption to the justice.
Imran Khan said he visited abroad to meet the immediate financial needs of the country and he got an overwhelming response.
He said an Asset Recovery Unit was established at the Prime Minister House. It signed MoUs with 26 countries for gaining access to information regarding the assets of Pakistanis made abroad.
The Prime Minister said we also signed an agreement today with Switzerland. He said the information received from 26 countries reveals that 11 billion dollars of Pakistanis are stashed abroad.
He said the information on bank accounts in UAE indicates that 1 billion dollars of Pakistani are hidden there. However, the information of Iqama holders is not available. He said Pakistanis invested 9 billion dollars in properties in the UAE during the past some year.
The Prime Minister said the FIA so far caught fake accounts of 375 billion rupees. He said PTI government is the first government that is actively taking steps against money laundering.
Imran Khan said the government is paying an interest of 6 billion rupees daily as interest on loans.
He said land worth over 300 billion rupees was retrieved by Capital Development Authority in its operations against encroachments.
He said Punjab has recovered land of 88,000 acres from the encroachment mafia.
Referring to growth of stunted children, the Prime Minister said a pilot project was completed to improve the health of mothers and children and now 4 million mothers and children will be given better diet to reduce stunted growth from current 43 percent to 30 percent.
He said the scope of Benazir Income Support Program will be enhanced. He said five billion rupees have been earmarked under Akhuwat Program to assist the poorer segments.
The Prime Minister said in order to bring the level of poverty down, special programs are being started in rural areas. He said Subsidies will be given to small farmers in order to increase agricultural productivity as well as improvement in socio-economic status of peasants.
He said new farm equipment will also be provided to the farmers. He said in order to enhance exports of livestock, animals will be immunized against diseases like foot and mouth.
Imran Khan said the fisheries sector will be promoted. He said Pakistan has marine fishery as well as fresh water fishery potential.
He said the wet areas where lands cannot be utilized for agricultural purposes, shrimp farming businesses will be started.
Referring to shortage of water in the country, the Prime Minister said total cost of paving the water courses is 140 billion rupees. This will result in conserving a lot of water.
The Prime Minister said taxation system will be improved to increase revenue. He said only 72,000 persons have declared their monthly income above 200,000 rupees which is not a realistic figure.
Speaking at the ceremony, Advisor to Prime Minister on establishment Arbab Shahzad said revolutionary steps were taken to change the working culture of the government during this small period.
He said 18 out of 34 projects were completed while work continues on rest of the projects.
He said an asset recovery unit was established that detected properties worth 11 billion dollars abroad and notices were issued to thousands of persons who are not tax filers.
Arbab Shahzad said focus was laid on brining reforms in FBR as part of improving the tax machinery.
The minister said that they decided to make their foreign office more interactive and started cultural diplomacy. When PTI was creating its manifesto, it was very clear that the enemies of Pakistan wanted it to go into isolation, said Qureshi.
“It is for peace that I decided to make my first foreign trip to Afghanistan,” he added.
Qureshi went on to say that he is going to make an advisory council with those patriotic people who may not be serving today but have brilliant strategies to share.
“Pakistan wants peace and we have taken concrete steps for it,” he said and added the vivid proof was seen yesterday where the world witnessed their peace initiative of the opening of the Kartarpur Border.
He said: “Under the leadership of PM Imran Khan, we have taken the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project a step further," adding that rather than just infrastructural development, the CPEC is now focused on human development.
We will provide livelihoods and more to people, he vowed.
Talking to him the Chief Minister said that public service is the prime agenda of the PTI government and government is moving towards the right direction.
He said that sincere efforts are being made for public welfare and transparency has also been ensured in public welfare steps.
Addressing to the open court, Khuli Kachehri, anti-graft watchdog chairman said that bringing back plundered money and eradication of corruption was the utmost priority of the NAB and its unbiased accountability will be continued.
“NAB has brought back looted Rs 297 billion and deposited into the national exchequer as 34 big fishes have been arrested so far in connection to the campaign against the looters who involved in a scam of Muzarba and Musharka,” he said.
Chairman NAB has heard the corruption complaints of the people one by one and assured them anti-graft watchdog will get the issues as per law and all the corrupts will be sent to their logical end.
A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard a case pertaining to printing of pictures in official advertisements.
As the hearing went under way, the bench directed that either the Sindh chief minister or the PPP deposit Rs1.45 million within 10 days.
The bench also sought a reply by Monday from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government over two official advertisements which carried pictures of former provincial chief minister Pervaiz Khattak.
Further, the bench rejected KP information secretary’s request to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within 10 days. Earlier as the KP information secretary submitted his request, the chief justice remarked, “Why don’t we get Rs30,000 cut from your salary? You are a government official and defend the illegal acts of politicians. We have no sympathies with such officials.”
“The KP government is trying to mislead the court, we should call Khattak,” the top judge added.
Earlier, the court had ordered former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sahrif to deposit Rs5 million for publishing pictures in official advertisements.
“The performance of ministries and ministers in keeping with the government’s 100-day plan were reviewed during the cabinet meeting,” sources said.
“An eight-point agenda, including reforms in Gilgit-Baltistan and the country’s security and economic situation, was discussed,” the sources added.
During the meeting, cabinet members accorded approval for the expansion in fencing and lighting on Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, sources further said. “Approval was also given for Ministry of Trade and Industry’s National Tariff Policy,” they continued.
Cabinet members further accorded approval for a proposed grant for Radio Pakistan and the formation of a search committee for the appointment of a vice chairman of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University.
“Approval was also given for ECC’s decisions and appointment of members and directors in nine various institutions,” the sources said.
The premier expressed satisfaction over a report on the targets met by federal cabinet members and directed that the pace of work be further increased.
Further, during the meeting, Prime Minister's Adviser on Establishment Mohammad Shahzad Arbab briefed cabinet members on the 100-day plan targets met by the government. “Following this, the cabinet accorded approval for 100-day plan implementation report,” sources said.
PM Imran will address the nation today as his government completes its first 100 days in office.
The premier is scheduled to take the nation into confidence during his address at Convention Centre, Islamabad on Thursday afternoon, where a ceremony will be held to mark the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) 100 days in power.
In an interview with a private television channel, he termed as unfortunate the statement of Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that Kartarpur Corridor is not a peace initiative by Pakistan and that India would not participate in the SAARC.
The President said despite various peace overtures by the PTI government, India does not respond positively and has rigid stand on relations with Pakistan.
He said India has double standards on Kashmir and is neither abiding by Simla agreement nor UN resolutions.
To a question about recent attack on Chinese Consulate in Karachi, he said the possibility of Indian involvement in it cannot be ruled out.
About prosecution of Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav, the President said he should be prosecuted by Pakistani courts and if his mercy petition comes to his office, he would act on government’s advice.
According to sources, NAB has been ordered by Supreme Court to file references within the period of two weeks against the offenders in Ashiana Housing Scam case.
During the hearing, NAB Prosecutor said that a reference cannot be filed against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif since he is under custody.
He added, “A reference can be filed against him only if he is under Judicial remand.”
Apex Court Judge, Justice Azmat Saeed remarked, ” Let the reference be filed, a decision can only be taken then.
A five-member commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza, heard the case today.
Neither Rizvi, who was taken under "protective custody" last week, nor his counsel appeared before the commission.
At this, the ECP issued another notice to the TLP chief and instructed the district election commissioner to ensure that the orders are obliged to.
The ECP adjourned the case till December 5.
The case against TLP was initiated after the Supreme Court lambasted the ECP earlier this month for registering a party that had disrupted life in the twin cities last year.
The top court had expressed surprise that the right-wing party had been registered with a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (Nicop) by an individual residing in the United Arab Emirates.
Supreme Court was also amazed that the ECP's director general of law could not even answer if the person, who applied for TLP's registration as a political party, was a Pakistani citizen, a dual national or a foreign citizen.
ECP had also admitted that the body had allowed TLP to contest the general elections but the party had failed to provide details of the funds that it used to finance its campaign.
According to details, a bench headed by the chief justice heard the Suo Motu case of the Islamabad IGP’s transfer at the Supreme Court where Chief Justice Saqib Nisar remarked that Federal Minister Azam Swati misused his powers and sought a clarification from him under Article 62 (1)(F).
As the hearing went underway, Senator Azam Swati’s lawyer, Ali Zafar informed the bench that the joint investigation team (JIT) formed to probe the minister’s misconduct had submitted a sealed report before the court.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had arrested Masood from the premises of the Islamabad High Court on November 23 after his bail plea had been rejected in the PTV corruption case. The next day, the court had remanded Masood in FIA's custody for five days.
The anchorperson was presented before the court of Duty Judge Inamullah today as his five-day judicial remand ended.
During the hearing, the FIA said that Masood, who was appointed PTV chairman in the tenure of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), had signed an agreement with a fake company to negotiate with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for grant of rights for coverage of cricket matches played in Pakistan.
Masood was involved in embezzlement of around Rs37 million from PTV as he negotiated with PCB for media rights and granted them to a fake catering company, FIA said.
The investigation agency requested for an extension in Masood’s remand, however, the judge rejected the request and directed that he be sent to Adiala Jail on judicial remand.
India last week gave the go-ahead to Pakistan’s proposal to build Kartarpur corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims wishing to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal District near the Indian border.
The proposal to construct the corridor providing visa-free access to Sikh pilgrims was renewed by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in August this year.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the corridor connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district with Dera Baba Nanak in India's Gurdaspur district.
However, it appears the initiative, termed a step towards peace by the Pakistan Army chief, did not go down well with certain quarters of the Indian media.
The DG ISPR shared images of an Indian channel purporting a Khalistan activist meeting General Bajwa, at the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor between India and Pakistan, in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province on Wednesday.
The channel flashed the images with incendiary captions, "Pakistan provokes India at Kartarpur ceremony" and "Khalistani extremist with Gopal Chawla with Pakistan army chief."
Indian media taking a myopic view is selectively showing Mr. Gopal Chawla meeting COAS. Army Chief met all guests at the venue irrespective of identity. A peace initiative should not be subjected to propaganda. @IndiaToday pic.twitter.com/NMkQ17PhKn
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) November 28, 2018
Maj Gen Ghafoor responded to the baseless propaganda saying, "Indian media taking a myopic view is selectively showing Mr. Gopal Chawla meeting the COAS.
He lamented subjecting of a peace initiative between the two countries after decades to baseless propaganda.
"Army Chief met all guests at the venue irrespective of [their] identity," the Pakistani military spokesman said on Twitter.
"A peace initiative should not be subjected to propaganda."
India last week gave the go-ahead to Pakistan’s proposal to build Kartarpur corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims wishing to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal District near the Indian border.
The proposal to construct the corridor providing visa-free access to Sikh pilgrims was renewed by General Bajwa in August this year.
Pakistan will build the corridor from the Indian border to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur while the other part from Dera Baba Nanak in Indian Punjab's Gurdaspur district up to the border will be constructed by India.
Addressing the ceremony, PM Imran thanked the Indian minister and foreign delegates for attending and explained that he witnessed such happiness on the faces of the members of the Sikh community today as Muslims feel when they go to Madina.
"We will keep improving Kartarpur corridor and next year you will see all facilities will be available there," he vowed.
"If India takes one step forward, we will take two steps forward," the premier said, in his renewed offer for talks with New Delhi. "We want to move forward in our relations with India.
"If France and Germany who fought several wars can live in peace, why can't India and Pakistan," he added.
The defence exhibition will enthrall the audience with an air show by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at Nishan-i-Pakistan, Sea View today, with JF-17 Thunder and a F-16 fighter aircraft. Sherdil aerobatics team will also present a scintillating aerial display.
According to a press release issued by the Directorate of Media Affairs of PAF, this year PAF is participating in the mega event with locally made state-of-the-art military hardware, including Air Defence Command and Control Centres and integrated simulators.
Pakistani visitors gather around JF-17 Thunder aircraft during the 10th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) at the Expo Centre in Karachi on
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra would also set up their stall at the venue along with a static display of JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak aircraft.
The four-day defence exhibition, which kicked off on November 27 and will continue till November 30, is being attended by 262 high-level delegations from 51 different countries.
Organised under the aegis of Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO), IDEAS 2018 brings together defence industry players from different parts of the world. Besides Pakistan itself, other major exporters of defence technology including China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, USA are exhibiting their exclusive country pavilions.
Visitor look at weapons during the 10th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) at the Expo Centre in Karachi on November 28, 2018. Photo: AFP
The event encompasses a series of activities ranging from the world's advance defence technology demonstrations, an international seminar, three conferences by the Pakistan armed forces and the IDEAS Karachi Show to a counter-terrorism demonstration.
Networking and business expansions through business to business (B2B) and business to government (B2G) engagements and the signing of MoUs are additional features of the exhibition.
New inventions of Pakistan defence industry including those from Global Industrial Solutions, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, Military Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Shibli Electronics, Universal Smart Military Systems and Daudson Armoury are also being showcased during the exhibition.
