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ISLAMABAD: ������Ƶ’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) announced on Wednesday that it has launched a Dates Distribution Project through which it would distribute dates among vulnerable families across the South Asian country. 

Under the initiative, KSrelief will distribute premium-quality Saudi dates across all provinces and regions of Pakistan, including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal charity organization.

The project aims to support thousands of families, especially those affected by floods and economic hardships, by helping meet their basic nutritional needs, the Saudi agency said in its press release. The project was officially launched by Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki. 

“Speaking at the launch event, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of ������Ƶ to Pakistan highlighted that this initiative embodies the deep-rooted friendship, brotherhood, and humanitarian partnership between ������Ƶ and Pakistan,” KSrelief said. 

The launching ceremony was attended by Senator Captain Shaheen Khalid Butt, the managing director of the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, along with representatives from government institutions, international organizations and humanitarian partners. 

Butt expressed gratitude to ������Ƶ and KSrelief for their continued support for the Pakistani people. He acknowledged KSrelief’s long-standing humanitarian partnership and reiterated Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal’s commitment to working hand in hand with the Saudi agency to ensure that the assistance reaches the most deserving families across the country.

������Ƶ, through KSrelief, has been one of Pakistan’s largest humanitarian partners, contributing to flood recovery, health, education and livelihood programs across the country.

The humanitarian organization announced on Tuesday it has launched a project in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to strengthen livelihoods and boost food security for vulnerable rural households through livestock distribution and training programs. 

Rawalpindi: Senuran Muthusamy and Kagiso Rabada hit fighting half-centuries as South Africa took a crucial 71-run lead over Pakistan on day three of the second Test in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

Muthusamy made a career-best 89 not out and Rabada struck his highest score of 71 as the visitors added 169 for the last two wickets.

Veteran Pakistan spinner Asif Afridi ended the innings on 404 at the stroke of tea.
The 38-year-old Asif finished with figures of 6-79 and is the oldest man to take five wickets on a Test debut.

The afternoon session though belonged to South Africa as the World Test champions bid to square the two-match series, after losing the first Test by 93 runs in Lahore.

Muthusamy defied the Pakistan spinners, hitting eight fours to improve on his previous highest of 68 not out against Bangladesh at Chattogram last year.

Muthusamy added an invaluable 71 runs for the ninth wicket with Keshav Maharaj (30) and then increased the lead with a last-wicket stand worth 98.

Rabada smashed four sixes and as many fours, improving on the 47 he made against New Zealand at Christchurch in 2022.

The morning belonged to Asif, who at 38 years and 301 days overtook England’s Charles Marriott as oldest debutant to take five wickets.

Marriott did so against the West Indies at The Oval in 1933 aged 37 years and 332 days.
Like fellow left-armer Maharaj — who took seven wickets for the visitors in Pakistan’s 333 all out — Asif used the dry conditions to maximum effect.

South Africa resumed on 185-4 and added 100 runs in the morning session.

With the turn on the Rawalpindi stadium pitch increasing considerably, Asif dismissed Kyle Verreynne caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan for 10 with the fourth ball of the day.

Tristan Stubbs defied Pakistan’s spinners for 256 minutes before a fastish delivery from Asif trapped him leg-before for 76. 

His knock was studded with six fours and a six.

Asif completed his five-wicket haul by trapping Simon Harmer leg-before for two while Noman Ali dismissed Marco Jansen in the same manner for 12.