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Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem returns home to hero’s welcome after Olympic glory

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem returns home to hero’s welcome after Olympic glory
Pakistan's javelin gold medallist at the Paris Olympics 2024 Arshad Nadeem waves to his fans from a bus upon his arrival at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore on August 11, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 11 August 2024
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Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem returns home to hero’s welcome after Olympic glory

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem returns home to hero’s welcome after Olympic glory
  • Top government officials, among hundreds, arrive at Lahore airport to receive star javelin thrower
  • Nadeem shattered Olympic record with 92.97-meter throw this week to win gold medal for Pakistan
Updated 11 August 2024
Shahjahan Khurram
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem arrived in the eastern city of Lahore late Saturday night to a hero’s welcome, with senior government officials among hundreds showing up to the airport to pay tribute to the javelin thrower after he won a historic Olympic gold medal for the country earlier this week in Paris. 

Nadeem won gold at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the men’s javelin throw competition on Thursday when he threw the light spear at an impressive distance of 92.97 meters, a new Olympic record. It was the first time Pakistan won gold at the Olympics since 1984 and the first time since 1992 when the South Asian country won any medal at the international competition. 

Hundreds thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of Nadeem as he arrived at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore on Saturday night. The Turkish Airlines flight carrying Nadeem was welcomed with a water cannon salute upon its arrival. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Prime Minister Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashhood and Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima welcomed Nadeem at the airport. 

Speaking to reporters, Nadeem thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for supporting his achievements, recalling how he had first made a mark as a javelin thrower in a sports festival organized by Sharif when he was Punjab’s chief minister years ago. 




Security officials escort Pakistan's javelin gold medallist at the Paris Olympics 2024 Arshad Nadeem (C) upon his arrival at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore on August 11, 2024. (AFP)

“From there I started playing this game and I thank Allah that I have reached this stage now,” Nadeem said. 

When asked whether he would ever become a politician, Nadeem responded:

“I don’t think it is my cup of tea. If I continue to do what is my job, I think that’s better.”

The javelin superstar left the airport for his hometown of Mian Channu in Khanewal district via a double-decker bus escorted by Punjab Police. 

The federal government on Saturday issued a special postage stamp themed ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ or Resolve for Stability in connection with Pakistan’s Independence Day, which will be celebrated on August 14. 
The postage stamp features an image of Nadeem with a javelin in his hand, paying tribute to his Olympic heroics.
Separately, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday issued instructions to award one of the country’s highest civilian honors, the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, to Nadeem. 
As per a statement from the president, he would award the Pakistani athlete in a special ceremony to recognize his Olympic feat. 
Nadeem, who comes from humble beginnings, is one of nine children of a daily wage laborer who showed great versatility as an athlete from a young age while dabbling in all kinds of sports at school.

Though the family lacked the financial means to encourage Nadeem’s enthusiasm for sports, his spirit earned him the support he needed, with his elder brothers working to help him build a career in sports, the family told Arab News in an interview in 2021.

Topics: Arshad Nadeem Paris Olympics 2024

Pakistan’s top economic body approves $160 million grant for defense projects

Pakistan’s top economic body approves $160 million grant for defense projects
Updated 16 sec ago
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Pakistan’s top economic body approves $160 million grant for defense projects

Pakistan’s top economic body approves $160 million grant for defense projects
  • Pakistan’s defense budget consistently attracts media attention due to the military’s substantial role in both the political and economic arenas of the country
  • The allocation of significant funds to defense sparks debates over balance between security needs and critical public services, such as education and health care
Updated 16 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), Pakistan’s top economic body, has approved a supplementary grant of around $160 million for defense projects in the current fiscal year, the Pakistani finance ministry said on Thursday.

The statement came after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presided over a meeting of the ECC, at which decisions were made regarding special allowances for the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Anti-Rabies Vaccine, and other matters.

Pakistan’s defense budget consistently attracts media attention due to the military’s substantial role in both the political and economic arenas of the country. The allocation of significant funds to defense sparks debates over the balance between security needs and other critical public services, such as education and health care.

“The ECC also considered and approved a proposal submitted by the Defense Division for a TSG amounting to Rs45 billion ($160 million) for various already approved projects of defense services during CFY 2024-25,” the finance ministry said on Thursday.

The development came weeks after the government approved Rs60 billion ($215 million) supplementary grants for Operation Azm-e-Istehkam to root out militancy from the country, apart from a 17.5 percent increase in the overall defense budget in June to Rs2.12 trillion ($6.15 billion) in view of the country’s security needs.

The ECC considered and approved a proposal for increase in the rate of special allowance (equal to 20 daily allowances) for employees of the ANF paramilitary force to bring it at par with other federal law enforcement agencies (LEAs), according to the finance ministry.

“The impact of revision to the tune of Rs. 264.744 million ($950,000) in DA rates for the ANF employees would be met from within the current year’s sanctioned budget,” it said.

Media coverage and public discussions about the defense budget also reflect concerns about transparency, with governments only mentioning the overall figure without sharing further details.

Last month, Dr. Kaiser Bengali, a prominent Pakistani economist who resigned from the government’s high-powered austerity committee in August, noted among several observations that the answer to addressing Pakistan’s large budget deficit lied in reducing the government’s expenditures, including non-combat defense spending.

Topics: Pakistan Pakistan economy

Pakistani rice traders fear decline in exports amid competition with India

Pakistani rice traders fear decline in exports amid competition with India
Updated 04 October 2024
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Pakistani rice traders fear decline in exports amid competition with India

Pakistani rice traders fear decline in exports amid competition with India
  • Pakistan exported rice worth $3.9 billion last year that traders fear could drop by $1 billion due to India’s lifting of ban on exports
  • In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistani commerce ministry has withdrawn minimum export price to keep traders competitive in global market
Updated 04 October 2024
Aamir Saeed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani rice traders said on Thursday that exports of the commodity could face a setback this year as neighboring India, one of the major competitors in the global market, had lifted restrictions on rice exports.

Pakistan exported rice worth $3.9 billion this year as compared to $2.15 billion last year, benefitting from India’s more-than-a-year-long ban on rice exports to fulfil its domestic needs. Last week, the Indian government lifted the ban and removed minimum export price of the commodity following a bumper crop yield this year.

In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan has also withdrawn the minimum export price for all rice varieties to compete with Indian exporters in the global market. Pakistan’s minimum export price for the rice ranged from $450 per metric ton to $900 per metric ton for super basmati and white sella rice, according to a government notification available with Arab News.

The South Asian arch-rivals are the only countries that produce basmati rice which is famous for its unique flavour and aroma around the globe. India has been the largest exporter of rice worldwide, followed by Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Now the basmati rice with a label of either from India or Pakistan will be available in the global market this year, so Pakistan’s exports are expected to decline by at least $1 billion from the previous year,” said Malik Faisal Jahangir, chairman of the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP).

He said Pakistan was exporting basmati rice to Europe and the Middle Eastern countries on an average $1,250 per metric ton as the Indian commodity was not available in the market due to the ban.

“India is direct competitor of Pakistan in rice exports, therefore our exports could decline in the international market after India lifted restrictions on the commodity,” he told Arab News. “Pakistan has withdrawn the minimum export price in reaction to India’s decision and we hope this will help create a level playing field to boost our exports.”

Pakistan’s commerce ministry said the minimum export price was introduced last year in response to rising global prices and a ban imposed by India on rice exports.

“The minimum export price has now become an obstacle for Pakistani rice exporters to remain competitive in global markets after India lifted its export ban and following a decline in international rice prices,” the ministry said in a statement.

Pakistani authorities have set a target of $5 billion rice exports for this fiscal year, while the exporters feared the government’s “regressive export policies and additional taxes” would bring down rice exports to $3 billion.

Irfan Noor, a rice exporter, said the government has increased tax from 1 percent to 29 percent on sales and profits of the exporters through a hybrid tax regime that would “definitely impact the exports negatively.”

He said Pakistan’s $3.9 billion rice exports were “an exception” due to India’s export ban on the commodity.

“Our rice exports will decrease this year due to India’s entry in the market that is also offering incentives to its traders on exports,” Noor said.

He urged the Pakistani government to review its tax policies and support rice farmers in growing new seed varieties resistant to adverse impacts of climate change to boost the per acre yield.

“We can compete with India in the global market only if our policy-makers come up with a holistic approach both for farmers and the exporters,” he added.

Topics: Rice Export Pakistan India Basmati Rice

Pakistan confers highest civilian award on Malaysian PM

Pakistan confers highest civilian award on Malaysian PM
Updated 04 October 2024
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Pakistan confers highest civilian award on Malaysian PM

Pakistan confers highest civilian award on Malaysian PM
  • Malaysian PM Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday on a three-day visit along with a delegation of ministers and senior officials
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif and his Malaysian counterpart agreed to set up a trade office in Karachi, increase halal meat and basmati rice exports to Malaysia
Updated 04 October 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday conferred Pakistan’s highest civilian award on Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim in recognition of his support for Islamic causes and for being a great friend of Pakistan, Pakistani state media reported.

Ibrahim arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday on a three-day visit along with a delegation of ministers and senior officials to hold wide-ranging talks on trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, the halal food industry, tourism, and cultural and educational exchanges.

The Malaysian prime minister has been a prominent advocate of humanitarian causes and Islamic values, and his leadership is marked by a profound commitment to promoting social justice and addressing global issues affecting the Islamic world, according to a report by the Radio Pakistan broadcaster.

He has also been a voice for self-determination movements and has particularly stood against oppression across the world. The award, which honors those who render “services of highest distinction” to the national interest of Pakistan, was conferred upon him at a special investiture ceremony in Islamabad.

“The Malaysian Prime Minister continues to work tirelessly to counter Islamophobia, striving to create interfaith harmony by fostering understanding and respect between different cultures and religions,” the report read.

The investiture ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, services chiefs, diplomats, and senior government officials, followed by a state dinner in honor of PM Ibrahim and his delegation.

Separately, the Malaysian prime minister met Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir and discussed with him bilateral strategic interests, regional security and defense cooperation.

“He emphasized on the need for increasing bilateral ties, particularly military relations, among the two brotherly countries and extended an invitation to the COAS (chief of army staff) to visit Malaysia in the same context,” the Pakistani military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.

Ibrahim’s visit comes as Islamabad pushes for foreign investment from allies and beyond in a bid to shore up its $350 billion economy, while navigating tough reforms mandated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a $7 billion bailout.

Earlier on Thursday, PM Sharif and his Malaysian counterpart agreed to set up a trade office in Karachi, while Islamabad will increase its halal meat and basmati rice exports to the Southeast Asian country, Sharif’s office said.

“As part of the efforts to boost bilateral trade, both leaders agreed that Pakistan would export Halal meat worth $200 million per annum and 100,000 metric tons of Basmati Rice to Malaysia,” Pakistani state news agency APP reported after Sharif and Ibrahim addressed a joint press stakeout.

Trade between Malaysia and Pakistan currently stands at $1.4 billion, including in palm oil, apparel, textiles, chemical and chemical-based products, and electrics and electronic products. Among South Asian countries, Pakistan is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner.

Topics: Pakistan Malaysia ties Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim

7 killed, 54 injured as bus full of wedding guests falls into gorge in southwest Pakistan

7 killed, 54 injured as bus full of wedding guests falls into gorge in southwest Pakistan
Updated 04 October 2024
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7 killed, 54 injured as bus full of wedding guests falls into gorge in southwest Pakistan

7 killed, 54 injured as bus full of wedding guests falls into gorge in southwest Pakistan
  • Police official says accident was caused after a bus tire burst, causing the vehicle to spin out of control
  • Fatal accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed, roads are in poor condition
Updated 04 October 2024
SAADULLAH AKHTER

QUETTA: At least seven people were killed and 54 injured on Thursday evening when a bus full of wedding guests fell into a gorge in Pakistan’s southwestern city of Quetta, officials said.

Police said over 60 people were aboard the bus, which was traveling from Quetta’s Musa Colony area for a wedding in Baleli area located on the city’s outskirts when it fell into a gorge on the western bypass highway. 

“Seven dead bodies, including four minor girls, arrived in Civil Hospital Quetta,” Dr. Waseem Baig, the spokesperson of the provincial health department, told Arab News.

“Fifty-four injured were brought to the Civil Hospital and are being treated in the Trauma Center,” he added. 

Muhammad Dilawar, an investigation officer at the Brewery Police Station in Quetta, said the accident took place after a bus tire burst, causing the vehicle to fall into the gorge. 

“The driver who is among the dead could not control the bus filled with people after the front tire of the bus burst at the western bypass area,” Dilawar told Arab News. 

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti expressed sorrow over the deaths, directing health officials to ensure quality health care for the injured. 

The chief minister called for an inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident. 

Fatal accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads, particularly in many rural and mountainous areas, are in poor condition. In Quetta, many parts of the western bypass highway have been in dilapidated condition for a very long time. The road is dedicated for heavy traffic movement to keep the flow of traffic smooth in the city.

Such incidents are particularly common in Balochistan where single carriage roads connect various cities and even some highways lack modern safety features. 

At least four people were killed and more than a dozen injured after an Islamabad-Quetta bound passenger bus plunged into a ravine in Zhob district on Sept. 14, 2024.

Topics: Balochistan Baleli bus accident Quetta

Mobile services suspended, roads blocked in Pakistani capital ahead of protest by ex-PM Khan party

Mobile services suspended, roads blocked in Pakistani capital ahead of protest by ex-PM Khan party
Updated 26 min 15 sec ago
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Mobile services suspended, roads blocked in Pakistani capital ahead of protest by ex-PM Khan party

Mobile services suspended, roads blocked in Pakistani capital ahead of protest by ex-PM Khan party
  • Khan’s party plans to protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk against proposed constitutional amendments, demand his release from prison
  • Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi says government will not show leniency in case of violent protests amid Malaysian PM’s visit to Islamabad
Updated 26 min 15 sec ago
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned the government would take stern action against anyone involved in violence in Islamabad ahead of a protest by former prime minister Imran Khan’s party today, Friday, with mobile phone services suspended and all major roads leading to the Pakistani capital blocked. 

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party plans to protest against the government’s proposed constitutional amendments in Islamabad that it says are aimed at granting it more power in making key judicial appointments and curtailing the independence of the judiciary, a charge the government denies. The PTI is also protesting for his release from prison.

Khan’s party held protests in Faisalabad, Mianwali and Bahawalpur cities on Wednesday that resulted in clashes between police and supporters of the ex-prime minister. Social media footage showed police involved in scuffles with Khan supporters and firing tear gas shells at them.

Almost all roads leading to Islamabad from the twin city of Rawalpindi and other areas were closed since late Thursday, while mobile phone services were suspended early Friday morning hours after Naqvi said the government would not demonstrate any leniency toward protesters engaged in violence.

“The PTI is a Pakistani political party and not a political party of another country,” Naqvi told reporters, adding that Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who arrived on Wednesday, would be in Islamabad till Friday.

“If a foreign head of state is in Pakistan and you are planning to charge at Islamabad, this is not acceptable.”

A high-level Saudi delegation and the Chinese prime minister are due to arrive in Islamabad, and the multilateral Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit is scheduled to be held in Pakistan this month, according to the minister.

He said the government would ensure foolproof security conditions for the Malaysian prime minister and take stringent measures to maintain his security.

“We will not let there be any decrease in the protocol or prestige of the Malaysian prime minister,” Naqvi said. “Then we will also have to consider the security arrangements.

Regarding that, none of us have any leniency or second thoughts.”

The interior minister reminded the PTI that Section 144, a legal provision that allows a ban on the gathering of four or more people on account of security threats, was already imposed in Islamabad.

“As a Pakistani, it is my obligation to say that protest is everyone’s right and you should do it,” he said. “But don’t do it at a price because of which your country gets defamed or God forbid, even a minor incident takes place during the Malaysian prime minister’s movement due to which we will keep on paying a price for all times to come.”

The garrison city of Rawalpindi, which borders the federal capital of Islamabad, remained tense last Saturday as police fired tear gas shells to disperse hundreds of Khan supporters ahead of a protest in the city to demand the release of Khan, who has been in jail since August last year on multiple charges that he says are politically motivated to keep him and his party out of politics.

After a PTI rally in Islamabad on Sept. 8, over a dozen legislators from the party were arrested on charges of violating an agreement based on which permission for the gathering was issued, including abiding by a time limit and supporters sticking to certain routes to reach the designated venue for the rally on Islamabad’s outskirts.

Khan’s party says the challenges in holding rallies are part of an over-year-long crackdown it has faced since protesters allegedly linked to the party attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after the former premier’s brief arrest the same day in a land graft case.

Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military, which says Khan and his party were behind the attacks, has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.

Khan, who has been in jail since last August, was ousted from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military, which denies being involved in politics.

Topics: Pakistan PTI Imran Khan Islamabad

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