KARACHI: Lyari is a neighborhood that everyone knows about in Karachi and elsewhere in Pakistan.
Until recently it was considered a dangerous part of the city because of its gang wars, extortion and the presence of armed groups, but the situation has now improved after a security crackdown.
There is now the kind of peaceful activity in the markets that local residents could not have imagined in the past.
Ali Muhammad, 37, a shopkeeper, recalled: “After the departure of one gangster, the second one used to come to claim extortion as there was no option of denying them. Residents of one area were not allowed to enter another part controlled by a rival gangster because of fear.”
Ali’s shop is in the Mosa Lane neighborhood of Lyari. He told Arab News that it had been a stronghold of gangsters where extortion of small and large businesses, trade in narcotics, and torture and kidnap were routine.
Bloody gang warfare had made the area inaccessible not only for law enforcers but for residents of other parts of the city.
Nauman Ahmed, 40, owner of a grocery store, told Arab News that “they (armed groups) use to give us orders to keep shops open or close, depending on their mood. Many residents and businessmen in the area were forced to migrate from Lyari.”
Nauman is now satisfied that “my shop remains open till 2am, it was not possible earlier.”
As shopkeepers shared their stories, people were busy buying and selling goods without fear. “What you are seeing now seems like a dream when you compare it with the days of gang war; there was hardly any movement in the local markets, only member of gangs who were mostly drunk and armed with Kalashnikovs and other sophisticated weapons,” Ali Muhammad said.
Violence in Lyari had spilled over into other parts of Karachi. The businessmen of the main trading hub in Jodia Bazar and Kharadar were especially targeted.
Violence, kidnapping and extortion continued until 2013, when the PML-N party-led central government decided to launch operations against criminals across Karachi.
Rangers and police conducted operations against small and large armed groups, killed or arrested many gangsters and targeted killers.
Visible change come when the notorious gangster Noor Muhammad, known as Baba Ladla, was killed during a clash with security forces, and with the arrest of Uzair Jan Baloch, son of a transporter who had joined gangs to avenge the death of his father.
As peace has returned to Layri, not only are businesses are thriving but the price of properties has gone up.
“I am living with my uncle and looking for a suitable house to rent but am still unable to find anything as rents and prices of houses have gone up,” Faisal, 35, a resident of Mosa Lane told Arab News.
Realizing the importance of peace, the residents have set up vigilance teams to keep criminals away from Lyari. “As long as these boys are present in the area we can keep our shops open,” Abdul Karim, a local resident, said, pointing toward a boy sitting on a motorcycle. “They are volunteers and we know them well,” he said.
Some of the locals have doubts and say that it is a fragile peace. “We feel fear while traveling to areas such as (the Layri neighborhoods of) Chakiwara, Aath Chowk, Rangi Wara, etc,” Abdul Sattar, one resident, said in a low voice.
Lyari safer after security crackdown
Lyari safer after security crackdown
One dead, several injured as political chants start clash at Pakistan cricket match
- Incident led to chaotic scenes of fighting on the field, as fans used bats, pipes to attack each other
- Police say two of its senior officials were also injured during the brawl and given first aid on site
PESHAWAR: At least one person died and several others, including two police officers, were injured in a violent clash during a cricket league final in Pakistan’s northwestern Bajaur tribal district amid high political tension on Friday, police confirmed to Arab News.
The brawl erupted when spectators at the Bajaur Cricket League (BCL) began chanting rival slogans in a packed stadium of over 20,000 people.
The incident occurred as Team 804, named after the prisoner identification number assigned to former Prime Minister Imran Khan following his arrest in August last year, faced off against Salarzai Zalmi in Khar.
Both teams were backed by local politicians from opposing camps, sparking an outcry from fans when, according to local media reports, a player from Team 804 was declared out by the umpire.
“Over 20,000 spectators were present in the ground who chanted political slogans against each other, which triggered the clash,” Bajaur Police Spokesperson Muhammad Israr told Arab News over the phone. “One person died of a heart attack during the incident, and while many sustained minor injuries, only a few required hospital treatment.”
Local news channels broadcast footage showing chaotic scenes of fighting on the field, with some people injured in the scuffle. As the violence intensified, fans used cricket bats and pipes to attack each other.
Local media reported the man who died had also sustained injuries and could not survive.
The police official said his department was gathering evidence and would lodge a report of the incident afterward.
“Two deputy superintendents of police were slightly injured and given first aid on site,” he added.
Cricket is a national passion in Pakistan, often fueling strong emotions among fans while their teams compete.
The incident in Bajaur, a restive region that has seen militant violence in the past, reflected how easily sports and politics can blend in the country to create a combustible mix.
Pakistan’s national airline sale stalls as bid falls short of government expectations
- Sole bidder Blue World City declines to meet government’s minimum price of $305 million
- PIA employees’ union labels the stalled sale an ‘embarrassment’ for Pakistani authorities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Privatization Ministry said on Friday the national airline’s privatization has stalled after months of efforts, as the sole bid came in “too low” compared to government expectations, which the airline employees’ union and an economist called a “major embarrassment” for the authorities.
The national flag carrier received a Rs10 billion ($36 million) bid from real estate development company Blue World City a day earlier for 60 percent Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) stakes during a televised auction, far below the minimum price of Rs85 billion ($305 million) set by the government.
The country plans to sell more than 51 percent of its stake in the loss-making national air carrier as part of economic reforms Islamabad agreed to with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a critical 37-month, $7 billion bailout deal approved in September.
Pakistan’s government pre-qualified six groups in June, but only the real estate development company met a Tuesday deadline to submit final documents to participate in the auction.
“The airline’s sale process has stalled for now, but the Privatization Commission Board will review the bid offer in its next meeting,” Dr. Ahsan Ishaq, a spokesperson for the Privatization Ministry, told Arab News, without specifying a date for the meeting.
“Finally, the matter will go to the federal cabinet for approval, but obviously, the bid is too low compared to government expectations,” he added. “Therefore, it may not receive formal assent.”
The state-owned Pakistan Television broadcast the bidding process live, with Blue World City as the sole bidder.
The $36 million bid was read out in front of government officials and financial advisers, which the PIA employees’ union later described as a “major embarrassment” for the authorities.
“The government should add at least twenty planes to the PIA fleet on dry lease to make it a profitable airline instead of selling it for peanuts,” said Hidayatullah, president of the PIA employees’ union, who goes by a single name, while speaking to Arab News.
“We will not allow the privatization of this national asset, and we will launch a nationwide protest if the government goes ahead with this bid,” he said.
During the bidding event, Blue World City Chairman Saad Nazir refused to match the government’s minimum price of Rs85 billion, saying, as per his company’s assessment, the offer made was “the best decision.”
The government’s initial plan was to finalize the PIA sale on the country’s Independence Day, August 14, but the plan was delayed following requests from bidders who were awaiting the airline’s latest audited accounts, aircraft lease agreements and clarity on flights to Europe, which are currently banned.
The auction was postponed twice, first to September and then to October, but neither event materialized.
Dr. Vaqar Ahmed, a senior economist, said the government had failed to “hunt potential investors” for PIA ahead of the formal auction and did not organize roadshows to market the airline’s assets to attract major investors.
“Major foreign investors have already expressed serious reservations about difficulties in repatriating their profits from investments in various sectors,” he told Arab News. “Therefore, they were apprehensive about joining the bidding process.”
“The government should have initiated measures to address the concerns of major investors and businesses ahead of formally launching the auction process for PIA to attract a fair price for the airline,” he continued.
Official data available to Arab News shows that there are 88 commercially operated state-owned enterprises in Pakistan, with collective losses amounting to Rs730.258 billion ($2.61 billion) in the fiscal year 2022.
In its five-year privatization plan ending in 2029, the government approved 24 state-owned enterprises for sale, including PIA.
With a fleet of 34 aircraft comprising 17 Airbus A320s, 12 Boeing B777s, and 5 ATRs, PIA loses market share to Middle Eastern carriers, who dominate with 60 percent due to the absence of direct flights to key destinations.
The carrier has air service pacts with 87 countries and landing slots at significant destinations such as London Heathrow.
The reorganization plan will separate aviation-related operations from non-core components, thereby freeing the operating subsidiary from a large portion of legacy debt.
Pakistan’s Punjab seeks US expertise to combat Lahore’s growing smog crisis
- Maryam Nawaz Sharif discusses the issue with USAID officials, urges bilateral cooperation
- Punjab CM also seeks collaboration in trade, renewable energy, health care and education
ISLAMABAD: The provincial administration of Punjab expressed interest in leveraging American expertise and technology to address environmental issues on Friday as pollution levels in the eastern city of Lahore has hit dangerous highs in recent weeks.
The idea of collaborating with the United States over the issue came up for discussion during a meeting between Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the officials of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) amid Lahore’s consistent ranking among the world’s most polluted cities.
The Punjab administration has decided to tackle the issue head-on, rolling out several initiatives aimed at reducing the city’s hazardous smog such as implementing mandatory face masks, suspending outdoor school activities and a ban on fireworks for about three months.
The Punjab government also introduced “green lockdown” earlier this week to bolster these efforts, limiting pollution-heavy activities in the city’s worst-affected areas, though local media reports say the enforcement of these measures remains inconsistent.
The issue of air quality in Lahore was one of the focal points during Sharif’s meeting with the USAID officials at her office, according to a statement from the provincial government.
“During the discussion, matters of mutual interest, strengthening US-Pakistan relations and enhancing cooperation in various fields were addressed,” the statement said.
“Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed Pakistan’s intent to benefit from the US expertise in green energy and advanced technology to combat climate change and environmental pollution,” it added.
Both sides also agreed to deepen collaboration in other areas, including trade, renewable energy, women’s economic empowerment, health care and education.
Sharif highlighted her government’s initiatives for women’s safety, such as the “panic button” and virtual police stations.
She noted that modern internships are being provided to nurture a skilled workforce within the province.
The chief minister emphasized that Pakistan, particularly under the present government, has made strides toward becoming safer and more peaceful, setting new benchmarks in governance and transparency.
She praised the country’s achievements in combating extremism and militancy, stressing the importance of further enhancing collaboration between Washington and Islamabad in the area.
The discussion also included opportunities to boost investment to meet future demands of the two countries and strengthen connections between their people.
Pakistan says working closely with Saudis to make $2.8 billion investment deals ‘operational’
- The deals between Saudi and Pakistani companies were signed during Saudi investment minister’s visit to Islamabad in October
- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this year reaffirmed commitment to expedite $5 billion investment package for Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani information minister Attaullah Tarar said on Friday Islamabad was working closely with Riyadh to make “operational” $2.8 billion in investment deals signed last month, saying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had discussed the investments with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a recent visit to Riyadh.
Saudi Minister for Investment Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih said on Wednesday 27 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth $2.2 billion that had been signed between Saudi and Pakistani businesses in October had been enhanced to $2.8 billion. The business-to-business deals, now enhanced to 34, were signed on Oct. 10 during Al-Falih’s visit to Islamabad with a delegation of top investors and entrepreneurs from the Kingdom.
“The [Pakistani] prime minister met the Saudi crown prince in a great atmosphere,” Tarar told reporters. “And so more agreements have been signed and we discussed taking them forward, making them operational, work has already started on five [agreements].
“Talks on that also happened and we reaffirmed the commitment that we will enhance Saudi-Pakistan ties and expand investment and trade.”
Tarar said the $600 million additional investment from Riyadh was a “big step” and involved sectors such as energy, minerals, trade, livestock, human resource and IT.
Speaking about Sharif’s visit to Doha after Riyadh, Tarar said Qatar would invest $3 billion in Pakistan:
“In Qatar, [Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif] has met a business delegation as well as the Qatari PM and emir of Qatar. Agreement has been made in expanding economic cooperation and relations in the field of culture. Discussions happened to further investment and trade also. I think this $3 billion investment will really boost Pakistan’s economy.”
Sharif’s visits to Doha and Riyadh took place at a time when Islamabad is seeking to strengthen trade and investment ties with friendly nations. Riyadh in particular has promised a $5 billion investment package that cash-strapped Pakistan desperately needs to shore up its dwindling foreign reserves and fight a chronic balance of payment crisis.
In 2022, the Qatar Investment Authority said it aimed to invest $3 billion in Pakistan. Doha has also shown interest in airport management partnership and the Roosevelt Hotel in New York’s Manhattan owned by the Pakistan International Airlines.
During a visit to Qatar in 2022, Sharif, then in his first term as PM, invited QIA, Qatar’s $450 billion sovereign wealth fund, to invest in Pakistan’s energy and aviation sectors. He had previously mentioned renewable energy, food security, industrial and infrastructure development, tourism and hospitality, among sectors of interest.
Wasim Akram urges India, Pakistan dialogue for ICC Champions Trophy participation
- Former Pakistan captain hopes Indian team will visit Pakistan and experience its hospitality
- Pakistan is scheduled to host the ICC Champions Trophy in February and March next year
ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricket team captain Wasim Akram on Thursday urged the Pakistani and Indian governments to engage in dialogue to ensure the Indian team’s participation in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy tournament, slated to be held in Pakistan next year.
The tournament is scheduled from February to March 2025. The last time Pakistan hosted this cricket event on its home turf was in 1996, when it co-hosted the 50-over World Cup, which Sri Lanka won. However, Pakistan’s role as host has sparked considerable debate this time, as arch-rival India’s participation remains uncertain.
India has not played an international match in Pakistan since 2008 and declined to tour Pakistan last year for the Asia Cup, resulting in a “hybrid” model in which India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka. Pakistan, however, traveled to India to participate in the One Day International (ODI) World Cup last year.
“It does not depend on the Indian government or the Board of Control for Cricket in India as much as the Indian government,” Akram said while speaking about India’s participation in the tournament in an interview with Cricket Pakistan.
“I think, at that level, the Pakistani government and Indian government can have a chat that, look, differences apart, people-to-people contact is very important.”
The left arm reverse swing bowler highlighted how the people of both countries want cricket to take place between India and Pakistan. He hoped that the Indian team visits Pakistan for the tournament and witnesses the hospitality bestowed on them.
Commenting on Pakistan’s forthcoming T20 and ODI series in Australia, Akram advised all young Pakistani cricketers including pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah to focus on cricket and “forget what’s happening behind the scenes.”
“At times it’s difficult and next to impossible,” he added. “You got to have a tunnel vision, look straight and stick to your performance.”
He strictly told Pakistan cricketers to not get involved into “politics and X (Twitter),” emphasizing that the Pakistan team was right on track after defeating England in the Test series.
The Champions Trophy was originally known as the ICC Knockout when it was staged in 1998 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and in 2000 in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was renamed the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 and was held every two years until 2009, when it was held in South Africa after the scheduled event in 2008 in Pakistan had to be canceled.
Subsequently, the event moved to a four-year cycle and features the top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings. The first round comprises two groups of four with the top two in each group progressing to the semifinals and the winners contesting the final. The competing teams are: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa.
Pakistan won the last Champions Trophy tournament held in England in 2017, beating arch-rivals India by 180 runs in a one-sided final.
