Pakistan’s Haroon to officiate at the Tour de l’Avenir in France

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Muhammad Haroon General, a UCI-certified Road Elite National Commissaire, to officiate at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Tour de l’Avenir, which started on August 23.Monsoon travel packages

The Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF) announced this groundbreaking achievement for the cycling community of the country last week.

Haroon has been officially selected by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to serve as a Commissaire at the Tour de l’Avenir, one of Europe’s most prestigious international cycling races, to be held in France from August 23 to 29, 2025.

“This landmark selection makes Mr. General the first-ever Pakistani commissaire to officiate at a UCI-sanctioned race in Europe, a significant step forward in Pakistan’s participation in international cycling governance. His selection follows a highly competitive process in which only six commissaires—three male and three female—were chosen from across Asia, Africa, South America, and Central America,” the PCF said in a press release.

“Mr. General expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dubai Islamic Bank for their generous support in making his participation possible, and acknowledged Syed Azhar Ali Shah, President Pakistan Cycling Federation, for their trust and consistent encouragement,” it further added.

Haroon has been serving as a cycling commissaire since 2010. He has presided over all major Road and Track National Championships in Pakistan, and has international experience, having officiated at events in Uzbekistan and the Tour of Iran-Azerbaijan 2025—both marking the first-ever international assignments for a Pakistani commissaire.

“The unwavering support from PCF and the sponsorship from Dubai Islamic Bank laid the foundation for this milestone,” he said.

His selection for the Tour de l’Avenir is a historic one, as no other Pakistani has been selected for this before.

The feat is showcasing Pakistan’s growing presence in global cycling administration.

Bulgaria Golden Visa 2025: Schengen entry, PR on day one, and citizenship after 5 years

Sofia: Bulgaria has quickly emerged as one of the most attractive destinations. The EU’s youngest member joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, and is now drawing global investors through its Golden Visa program.

Unlike the country’s previous Citizenship by Investment scheme, which ended in 2022, the Golden Visa provides direct permanent residency from the outset, along with a pathway to citizenship after five years of legal residence.

Launched in 2023, the program allows non-EU nationals to gain permanent residency by investing €512,000 (about ₹5.12 crore) in funds licensed by the Bulgarian Financial Supervision Commission (FSC).

Once approved, applicants and their families receive:

Immediate permanent residency status

Visa-free travel across the Schengen zone (116 countries)

A clear route to citizenship after 5 years

The right to include spouse, children, parents, and even in-laws in the same application

Unlike many EU investor visa schemes, there is no minimum-stay requirement in Bulgaria, making it appealing to those who want global mobility while retaining their primary base in their home country.

Bulgaria has structured its program to compete directly with the likes of Portugal, Spain, and Greece, but at a more accessible entry point. Key benefits include:

Direct PR status: No temporary permits — permanent residency from the start

Family inclusion: Spouse, children, parents, and in-laws covered

No residence requirement: You don’t need to spend a minimum number of days in Bulgaria each year

Low taxes: Flat 10% personal tax rate, among the lowest in the EU

Fast-track processing: Decisions typically take 3–6 months

Education & healthcare: PR holders get access to EU-standard services

No Bulgarian language requirement for permanent residency

Banking flexibility: If your bank account is FATF-compliant, you don’t need to open a Bulgarian account

Eligibility criteria (main applicant)

To qualify for Bulgaria’s Golden Visa, applicants must:

Be over 18 years old

Be a non-EU citizen with a valid passport

Hold a clean criminal record

Invest €512,000 in an FSC-licensed fund

Prove income higher than the investment amount

Pay application and processing fees

Family members (spouse, children, parents, and in-laws) can be included in the same application.

Application process: step by step

Step 1: Pre-approval and due diligence

Applicants undergo background checks with the Bulgarian Investment Agency. Required documents include proof of income, police clearance, CV, and AML/PEP declarations.

Step 2: Make the investment

Transfer €512,000 into a licensed AIF or ETF and obtain a certificate of investment. This can be done remotely.

Step 3: Apply for a D-type visa

Submit documents to a Bulgarian embassy or consulate. Visa decisions typically arrive within 2–4 weeks.

Step 4: Obtain permanent residency

Travel to Bulgaria, complete biometric verification, and collect your PR card. The card is indefinite but must be renewed every 5 years.

Step 5: Apply for citizenship (after 5 years)

Maintain your investment and PR status for five years, after which you can apply for citizenship.

Required documents

Applicants must prepare a comprehensive file including:

Valid passport

Police clearance certificates (home country + country of residence)