Pakistan says security of foreign dignitaries ‘top priority’ ahead of SCO summit 

Pakistan says security of foreign dignitaries ‘top priority’ ahead of SCO summit 
Pakistan Army soldiers stand guard in anticipation of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's supporters and activists amid the ongoing protests in Islamabad on October 6, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 07 October 2024
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Pakistan says security of foreign dignitaries ‘top priority’ ahead of SCO summit 

Pakistan says security of foreign dignitaries ‘top priority’ ahead of SCO summit 
  • The inter-governmental Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on Oct. 15-16
  • Security fears have surged after three people, including two Chinese nationals, were killed in a Karachi blast on Sunday

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson said on Monday that the security of high-level foreign dignitaries expected to arrive in Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit next week is a “top priority” for the government, as the South Asian country deals with a surge in militant attacks in the country. 

The foreign office spokesperson’s comments came a day after three people, including two Chinese nationals, were killed and 10 were injured in a blast near Karachi airport on Sunday night. The attack was claimed by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which said it used a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device to target the Chinese nationals.

Pakistan, the current chair of the SCO Council of Heads of Government, will host the summit in Islamabad from Oct. 15-16 which is expected to feature participation from senior dignitaries from China, India and Russia. To bolster security ahead of the summit, Pakistan’s government has deployed the army in the capital till Oct. 17. 

“With regards to the security around the conference that is a top priority of the government of Pakistan and measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of all guests to come to Pakistan for the SCO Heads of Government meeting,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters during a media briefing.

“We are ready to welcome all our distinguished guests and to make their visit and stay in Pakistan as comfortable as possible.”

Last week also saw clashes between police and former prime minister Imran Khan’s supporters in the Pakistani capital. Hundreds of Khan supporters arrived in Islamabad on Friday to protest against the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party says are aimed at curtailing the independence of the judiciary. The government denies the allegations. 

One constable was killed while 31 other cops were injured in clashes between Khan supporters and Islamabad Police over the weekend, while police said they arrested over 900 “miscreants” involved in the violent protests. 

Baloch said Pakistan was expecting senior diplomats from member states to attend the summit, including representatives from the observer state of Mongolia and special guest Turkmenistan. The spokesperson said representatives of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Commonwealth of Independent States and the European Economic Community were also expected to attend the high-level summit. 

“The SCO meeting will discuss cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, socio-cultural linkages, as well as reviewing the performance of the organization,” she said. Baloch said the world leaders present at the summit would adopt organizational decisions to further enhance cooperation among member states and improve the inter-governmental body’s budget. 

Baloch spoke about the Oct. 4 Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan, saying that Pakistan and other participating countries expressed deep concern over the country’s security situation. 

“The Moscow Format countries noted the continued threat posed by terrorist and separatist groups to global and regional stability,” she said. 

Baloch said Pakistan was led in the consultations by additional foreign secretary of Afghanistan and West Asia, Ambassador Ahmed Naseem Waraich. 

“They [Moscow format countries] emphasized the need for Afghanistan to take comprehensive measures to combat terrorism and prevent its territory from being used against neighboring countries and the wider region,” she said.


Pakistani actor Yasir Hussain says ready to put career on hold for wife Iqra Aziz

Pakistani actor Yasir Hussain says ready to put career on hold for wife Iqra Aziz
Updated 11 sec ago
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Pakistani actor Yasir Hussain says ready to put career on hold for wife Iqra Aziz

Pakistani actor Yasir Hussain says ready to put career on hold for wife Iqra Aziz
  • Hussain and Aziz are among Pakistan’s most talked-about celebrity couples who tied the knot in 2019
  • Despite shared background in showbiz, Hussain says they maintain professional boundaries in the industry

KARACHI: Pakistani actor and director Yasir Hussain has said he is willing to pause his career and stay home with his young son if his wife, acclaimed actress Iqra Aziz, required him to, highlighting his support for her flourishing career in the entertainment industry.

Aziz and Hussain, one of Pakistan’s most talked-about celebrity couples, tied the knot in December 2019 following a public proposal at the Lux Style Awards that year. The couple welcomed their son, Kabir, in July 2021 and have since carefully balanced their personal life with demanding professional commitments.

Aziz is currently starring in the television drama Paradise, while Hussain is performing as the director and male lead in the theater production Monkey Business, running at the Karachi Arts Council. 

Despite their shared background in showbiz, the two have taken different routes, with Aziz focusing largely on television dramas and Hussain leaning toward theater and directing.

“Today, if she [Iqra] tells me to leave everything and take care of Kabir because she is doing a film, I’ll leave everything,” Hussain told Arab News in an interview this week. “Obviously, my child comes first for me.”

He said fatherhood and marriage had brought a noticeable change in his temperament.

“I was very hyper before marriage,” he said.. “It’s a good change and I am liking it.”

Hussain said being part of the same profession had helped him and his wife better understand each other’s demanding schedules.

“If I was married to a doctor, maybe, so I don’t know her profession, she doesn’t know mine,” he said. 

“So, maybe there would have been some issues in between us like what are these shift timings or it’s not fair that you go to the theater everyday all day. So, there would have been issues perhaps. But now we know how it works.”

Still, Hussain said he made a conscious effort to maintain professional boundaries, including not seeking roles opposite his wife on screen.

“I think there is a gap of 10 or 11 years between Iqra and I,” he added. “I want her to work with actors her age. I don’t want her screen age to increase for no reason because of me.”

Hussain also said he didn’t seek to share the small screen with his wife just because she was a famous actress.

Previously, though, the couple have worked together in the drama serial Jhooti while they were engaged, and later in the mini-series Aik Thi Laila, which Hussain directed. He has also produced Paradise, which Aziz is currently starring in alongside actor Shuja Asad.

“Marriage is a very personal thing and I don’t want to show that chemistry onscreen in a TV drama at least.”

And though they were both part of the entertainment industry, Hussain said they maintained clear professional independence.

“We have a life as individuals as well. We don’t influence each other on the career choices we wish to make,” he said.

That said, he expressed a preference for Aziz to avoid dark or gritty roles.

“I don’t want Iqra to do films like Javed Iqbal or Taxali Gate or the series Khatarnaak that I’m shooting in Lahore,” he said. 

“I don’t want her to get into such dark content. She is a very lively person and has the image of a happy-go-lucky individual. I don’t want her image to be dark or political.”


Pakistan warns hail, heavy rains could hit capital, cities in Punjab from today

Pakistan warns hail, heavy rains could hit capital, cities in Punjab from today
Updated 27 min 3 sec ago
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Pakistan warns hail, heavy rains could hit capital, cities in Punjab from today

Pakistan warns hail, heavy rains could hit capital, cities in Punjab from today
  • Hailstorm on Wednesday wreaked havoc in Pakistani capital, damaging thousands of car and windows of homes
  • Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing numerous impacts like rising extreme weather events

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a weather alert on Thursday warning of hailstorms and heavy rainfall in the federal capital, Islamabad, and a number of cities in Punjab province from today, Friday. 

The fresh warnings come a day after a severe hailstorm and heavy rainfall lashed Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, and its surrounding areas, damaging thousands of vehicles and smashing the windows of homes. 

Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change, facing numerous impacts like rising temperatures, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and changes in agricultural patterns. The country’s vulnerability is exacerbated by factors like reliance on the Indus River, which is fed by melting glaciers, and its location in a region prone to floods and droughts.

“Heavy rainfall, windstorms, thunderstorms and isolated hailstorms are expected [from Apr. 18-19], posing risks to infrastructure, transportation and agricultural activities,” the NDMA said in a statement. 

It listed cities in upper and central Punjab including Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Hafizabad, Jhang, Khushab, Mianwali, Lahore, Narowal, Sahiwal, Sargodha and Sheikhupura, as being at risk. 

Strong winds accompanied by heavy rain could also cause trees to fall and lead to temporary power outages, the NDMA said, adding that hailstorms posed a threat to weak structures, rooftops, vehicles and power lines. Hail could also damage crops and outdoor structures, particularly those with glass surfaces. The combination of rain and dust could also reduce visibility and increase the risk of road accidents.

The NDMA urged the public to stay informed by using its mobile application, “Pak NDMA Disaster Alert,” for real-time updates and advised tourists and residents to monitor official sources for the latest weather forecasts. 

Travelers were also cautioned to check road conditions before leaving their homes and to avoid unnecessary journeys during severe weather. People living in landslide-prone areas were instructed to stay vigilant and strictly adhere to local safety adviseries.

Experts say there is evidence suggesting a link between climate change and increased hailstorm frequency and intensity. While the exact relationship is still being studied, a warming climate can create conditions more conducive to large hail formation.


Pakistan Senate committee approves bill to establish commission for minority rights

Pakistan Senate committee approves bill to establish commission for minority rights
Updated 17 April 2025
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Pakistan Senate committee approves bill to establish commission for minority rights

Pakistan Senate committee approves bill to establish commission for minority rights
  • Constitution guarantees equal rights and protection for all citizens, including religious minorities but disparities in practice persist
  • Minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public services and participating fully in social and economic life

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Senate Subcommittee on Human Rights on Thursday approved a bill to establish a commission on minority rights in accordance with the United Nations and international standards and regulations, a statement from the committee said on Thursday.
The Pakistani constitution guarantees equal rights and protection for all citizens, including religious minorities, but disparities in practice persist. While the constitution protects freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion, minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public services and participating fully in social and economic life. There is also widespread persecution of minority groups. 
On Thursday, the minister of law briefed the Senate committee on the National Commission for Minorities, which will constitute eight members, four from the government and four representing the parliament.
“There will be Parliamentary Committee consisting of four members: which will be nominated by the Speaker National Assembly, two from the treasury and two from the opposition benches,” according to a statement from the Senate.
“Besides this, two minority members from each province, who are Pakistani citizens not younger than 35 years of age and possessing considerable knowledge and practical experience in Human Rights advocacy, will be included in the commission.”
The statement said the recommended timelines for the process were a maximum of 45 to 60 days. The commission would hold the power to direct other local human rights institutions to take up matters in their own ambit of expertise. 
The committee reached consensus on two key points.
“First, the nomination for the National Commission for Minorities will be shortlisted within 30 days, and the Constitution of Commission will be completed within 45 days,” the statement said. “Secondly, the minimum age for nominated members will be 35 years.”
According to a copy of the bill widely reported by local media, the commission will “assess and monitor [the] implementation of the constitutional guarantees and safeguard for promotion and protection of rights of minorities.”
The commission will also review existing or proposed policies or programs to prevent discrimination and protect minorities and provide recommendations to the relevant departments.


23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry

23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry
Updated 17 April 2025
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23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry

23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry
  • Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year
  • Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis to perform Hajj 2025 under government scheme

ISLAMABAD: The ministry of religious affairs said on Tuesday only 23,620 Pakistani pilgrims would be performing Hajj under the private scheme this year.
The annual Islamic pilgrimage is expected to take place this year in June. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj Agreement 2025 in January, under which Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes.
Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme this year. 
“General public is hereby informed that only 23,620 pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj under the Private Hajj Scheme from Pakistan this year 2025,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
“The list of service providers providing services with the Hajj 2025 quota has been updated on the website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and the Pak Hajj App.”
The ministry urged pilgrims who had made bookings with registered service providers to check the status of their application and contract on the ministry’s website.
“All organizing/service provider companies are directed to provide updated contract (Hajj Form) to Hajj pilgrims as per the approved quota of Hajj 2025 and ensure the process of issuing Hajj visas to pilgrims by April 18 as per the instructions of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the ministry added. 
Hajj flight operations will begin from Apr. 29 when the first flight will depart from Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to probe why Pakistan had failed to use the whole 179,210 quota for Hajj 2025.


Soldier, four militants killed in armed operation in northwest Pakistan

Soldier, four militants killed in armed operation in northwest Pakistan
Updated 17 April 2025
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Soldier, four militants killed in armed operation in northwest Pakistan

Soldier, four militants killed in armed operation in northwest Pakistan
  • Military has launched frequent operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan in recent years
  • Pakistan says militants launch attacks using safe havens in Afghanistan, a charge Kabul denies

ISLAMABAD: A sepoy was killed in an intelligence-based operation in the northwest of Pakistan, the military said on Thursday, as it battles a spike in militant attacks.
In recent months, the military has launched frequent operations in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. The army’s target in the area are militants it says launch attacks inside Pakistan and against the army using safe havens in Afghanistan. The Taliban government in Kabul says it does not allow its territory to be used by insurgents against other countries.
Groups like the Pakistani Taliban, commonly known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have been waging a war against the Pakistani state for nearly two decades in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with what they consider an Islamic system of governance.
In the latest operation, the army’s media wing said security forces had conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Maddi in the Dera Ismail Khan district on Apr. 16, killing four militants.
“However, during intense fire exchange, one brave son of soil, Sepoy Basit Siddique (age: 23 years, resident of District Attock), having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat [martyrdom],” the army’s statement said. 
Militants have intensified their attacks since revoking a ceasefire with the government in late 2022, with recent months witnessing significant strikes targeting the military and its bases.