Radio Pakistan to launch Special Sports Programme for World Cup

ISLAMABAD: Radio Pakistan’s News and Current Affair Channel (NCAC) will launch a weekly ‘Special Sports Programme’ covering upcoming Cricket World Cup.

Besides daily sports, the one hour weekly special programme will highlight various aspects of the Cricket World Cup.

The programme will be aired on every Saturday between 7 to 8 pm.

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Ward-Prowse extends Saints stay

LONDON: Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse is to stay at St Mary’s after signing a new five-and-a-half-year deal, the English Premiership club announced Friday.

Born in Portsmouth, the home of Southampton’s bitter south coast rivals, the 20-year-old has been on Saints’ books since the age of eight and has made 77 first-team appearances in all competitions for the club since his senior debut in October 2011.

Now the England-Under 21 international is set to stay at Southampton, currently an impressive third in English football’s top flight, until 2020 at least.

“The club is in a fantastic position and ever since I joined the club at a young age I knew it was the right place to be,” Ward-Prowse told Southampton’s YouTube channel.

“I fell in love with the place straight away,” he added.
“I’ve been on a fantastic journey, the club has too, and it’s great to extend my stay.

I’m really excited for the next few years.”

Ward-Prowse has made 17 appearances for Southampton so far this season, despite being sidelined for a large part of the campaign with a broken foot.

However, he has featured in all 11 matches since returning last month and Saints manager Ronald Koeman was delighted by Ward-Prowse’s decision to extend his contract.

“He’s one of the young players who is developing himself in a very good way.

He will be a great player,” Koeman said.

“It’s always good news, I’m happy that he would like to stay with us.

It’s a good signal to the rest of the players,” the former Netherlands defender added.

“He’s one of the examples for the academy, to the confidence of the young players.

“‘Prowsey’ developed in the academy and now he’s one of the young players who plays for the first team.

“He’s a good professional, always serious in his training, in his discipline, he’s a big example for all young players.”

AIP, AFP, ATimes

Petroleum ministry contradicts Imran Khan’s statement

ISLAMABAD: The spokeperson of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources taking exception to the statement of Imran Khan has said that the statement made by him about petroleum prices in Pakistan is devoid of facts.

In a statement, he said that in fact the present government has substantially decreased the price of petrol already up to 30 rupees, which is based on actual import price in the past five months.

The prevalent per litre petrol price of Rs 78.28 in Pakistan is far cheaper compared to other countries in the region as per litre prices in India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are rupees 105, 92 and 97 respectively.

Petroleum prices are expected to be decreased further in February 2015, he added.

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Death toll in Shikarpur blast rises to 49

SUKKUR: The death toll in the blast in Shikarpur Imam Bargah has risen to 49 while 55 others were injured on Friday.

This was informed by Deputy Commissioner Shikarpur (DC) Haadi Bux Zardari.According to SSP Shikarpur, Saqib Ismail Memon the explosion took place inside an imambargah in Lakhi Dar area during Friday prayers.

Heavy contingent of Rangers reached the scene.
Locals residents shifted the injured to nearby hospitals.

Injured people were rushed to civil hospitals in Sukkur, Larkana and Khairpur where ermergency has been declared.

The CM Sindh has directed the medical authorities for provision of best medical facilities to the injured.

The Opposition leader in NA, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah strongly condemned the incident.

He expressed condolences with the bereaved families.

APP