ISLAMABAD: Upset by the felling of many of Islamabad’s trees – victims of rapid urbanization — the city’s children are fighting back with a tree planting drive.
Children, accompanied by their parents, are now a common sight at tree nurseries in Pakistan’s capital, buying saplings to plant at home – some after receiving school assignments to do just that.
“They will get awards and certificates of appreciation as ‘green’ students if they succeed in growing healthy trees for at least the next two years,” said Aneela Karim, whose 5-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son recently picked out saplings of magnolia, pine and silver oak at a tree nursery in Islamabad.
Karim, 41, said her children had been assigned at school to plant at least one sapling each at home and to care for them for the next three years.
“This was really inspiring to see our children sensitised… and talking about the value of trees with us,” she said, noting that she’d learned little about the environmental and health benefits of trees while she was in school.
In recent years there has been more tree felling than tree planting in the capital, as new roads and other construction projects require the clearing of trees in formerly green areas.
The changes have triggered anger and protests among many residents.
AIR POLLUTION RISK
Karim said she was outraged that the government was chopping down mature trees, something she believes is worsening air pollution in the capital, particularly as the number of vehicles on the roads grows.
The Islamabad Municipal Corporation and Capital Development Authority could not provide official figures for the numbers of trees felled.
However, Sanaullah Aman, until recently executive director general for environment at the Capital Development Authority, estimated that over the last five years the city had lost around a third of its green cover to road expansion and the construction of housing and shopping malls.
Asif Shuja Khan, a former director general of Pakistan’s Environmental Protection Agency, said that just 10 years ago most of Pakistan’s towns and cities still had significant green areas.
But in recent years green areas have quickly disappeared or deteriorated, he said, often as a result of urbanization. Pakistan’s population has swelled from 132 million in 1998 to 210 million today, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
According to the Pakistan Forest Institute and Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, 39,000 hectares (96,000 acres) of forest are cleared every year across the country.
Pakistan lost one-third of its forest area between 1990 and 2010, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
In Islamabad, tree-planting initiatives have the backing of non-governmental organizations, the municipal corporation and the Capital Development Authority, which is planting 300,000 tree saplings in the city this spring.
PASS IT ON
Rukhsana Gul, Karim’s daughter, said she had planted trees with her classmates at school, and was now using her own pocket money to buy four small trees for the front of her family’s home, after persuading her parents to bring her to the nursery.
Tasneem Sher Mohammad, her school’s principal, said the school had organized spring and monsoon time tree-planting programs for the past three years, involving pupils, parents, teachers and administrative staff.
Nearly 60 percent of the city’s schools are organizing tree-planting drives or sending their students to tree-planting events at nearby schools or colleges, government officials say.
“We highlight with the participants, particularly children and parents, to play a part in tackling environmental pollution and protecting human health with planting more trees in their houses and neighborhoods,” said Mohammad, who noted the response from the children has been enthusiastic.
The lessons are particularly effective because children “pass on the messages about the value of trees to their homes and neighborhood and talk about it with their parents and neighborhood friends”, he said.
The surging interest in tree planting has led to a growth in the number of tree nurseries in Islamabad, industry officials said.
“Four years ago there were only 10 to 15 tree nurseries. But their number has soared beyond 250,” said Mohammad Siddique, chairman of the Islamabad Nurseries Welfare Association.
Most buyers of saplings are families, with children coming with their parents to buy trees for their houses, according to city officials and nursery owners.
Zafeer Saqib, an environment professor at the International Islamic University in Islamabad, said he believes the younger generation will be more serious about environmental protection than their parents.
Sanaullah Aman, a former city government environmental official, agreed.
“In the past, we used to engage various government and non-governmental organizations, corporate sectors, trade associations, and the industrial sector to boost the city’s tree cover,” he said.
“But the response from schoolchildren of the educational institutions has been amazing.” (Reporting by Saleem Shaikh and Sughra Tunio ; editing by James Baer and Laurie Goering : (Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, climate change, resilience, women’s rights, trafficking and property rights. Visit http://news.trust.org/climate)
As Islamabad’s trees disappear, its children lead a green offensive
As Islamabad’s trees disappear, its children lead a green offensive
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Georgina Rodriguez dazzles front row at Elie Saab’s Paris Fashion Week show
DUBAI: Lebanese haute couture label Elie Saab’s Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2025-2026 collection transported Paris Fashion Week to the world’s most exclusive mountain retreats, where relaxed glamour meets alpine allure.
With Georgina Rodriguez, Sofia Carson and Leighton Meester gracing the front row, the show unfolded as a celebration of opulent textures, burnished hues, and striking silhouettes — seamlessly transitioning from the polished salons of the city to the snow-dusted slopes.
Saudi-based Argentinian model Rodriguez wore a pristine white outfit that took inspiration from Elie Saab’s alpine theme. The ensemble featured a luxurious, textured top adorned with delicate feather-like details, adding a touch of avant-garde flair. This was paired with tailored white trousers that complemented her silhouette.
Carson — the US actress and singer known for films such as “Purple Hearts” and “Descendants” — graced the event in a sophisticated black and white checked tweed dress by Elie Saab. The ensemble was cinched at the waist with a black belt, complemented by black leather gloves and a matching bag. She completed her elegant look with a veiled black hat.
Meester debuted a fiery new look at the show, sporting a ginger hair transformation. At the show, Meester was seated directly next to former “Gossip Girl” co-star Kelly Rutherford, who played Lily van der Woodsen. Her dress featured a dynamic pattern, blending rich colors that complemented her fresh hair transformation.
On the runway, a rich palette of midnight black, powder white, pine green, deep burgundy, and chocolate brown enveloped the collection in warmth and sophistication. Voluminous fur coats draped effortlessly over butter-soft leggings, while embroidered and sleek tube midi-skirts found harmony with monochrome knits.
The classic tuxedo took on freshness with cropped trousers, pairing flawlessly with an embellished sixties-style jacket, a statement piece equally at home with fitted midi-skirts.
The snow-capped skyline reimagined itself as a recurring motif — stitched into cashmere sweaters, sequinned across layered dresses, and woven through sport-luxe essentials like a figure-hugging zipped jumpsuit and a striking yellow parka. Structured silk corsets cascaded into mermaid lace, while scalloped tiers of beaded floor-length gowns shimmered like moonlit glacial waves.
Accessories completed the apres-ski look: Alaskan hats, visor sunshades, and chunky fur-trimmed snow boots enhanced the alpine spirit, while closed-toe leather and satin pumps offered effortless elegance. Sumptuous fur bags in various sizes added a final touch of indulgence, alongside the latest additions to the Wave handbag collection.
Pakistani sister duo rebrands grandfather’s 50-year-old leather bag business, makes it online success
- Marium and Sakina Hussain manage most domains of the leather goods business they have named after their grandfather
- Offering a range of products, the sister duo now plans to not only launch a physical outlet, but expand it beyond Pakistan
KARACHI: Turab Ali Ismail Ji Munniwala, a skilled craftsman, set up a small leather retail shop in Pakistan’s commercial capital of Karachi in 1975 and put his heart and soul into making leather bags of various shapes and sizes. His son, Aqeel Hussain, took over the business ten years later and focused it on corporate giveaways, but after the passing of Munniwala more than three decades later, it became difficult for Hussain to run the business alone.
In conservative Pakistan, people often expect a male heir like Hussain, now in his 60s, to carry forward the family’s business and legacy, but Hussain had no son and his daughters, Marium and Sakina, determined to honor their late grandfather’s 50-year legacy, took it upon themselves and amazed many by making Munniwala’s leather bag business an online success.
The sister duo, 32-year-old Marium and 25-year-old Sakina who both had full-time careers as a graphic designer and a corporate lawyer respectively, set out to take their grandfather’s business online in February 2022. Today, their venture, named ‘Turab’ after Munniwala, is breathing new life into a legacy that could have faded away without them.
“It wasn’t a planned thing initially, but it just sort of came into being that ‘okay, who’s going to help Abbu [our father]?’,” Sakina recalled how Turab came to life.
“When we basically started to grow up, it was always a thing that who is going to take this business forward because we don’t have a brother. Living in a desi [local] household, it’s always a thing that businesses are being led forward by sons in a family.”
Born and raised in Karachi, the sisters belong to the Dawoodi Bohra community. The family’s shop in Saddar still exists, with their grandfather’s working table still intact. Two of the workers, who started out with their father years ago, still work at the shop and mainly look after the production side of affairs with Hussain.
“People nowadays kill to buy pure leather products, but we don’t have the kind of market for pure leather products here. The players that we have in the market are really expensive for the masses to buy,” Sakina told Arab News.
“And that’s kind of where the idea of Turab came into being. We wanted to create something that’s not only good quality leather but also really affordable.”
Both Marium and Sakina have since been pushing their family legacy forward with a fresh, modern touch.
“As far as the designing is concerned, that’s where we come in. We decided to make the most modern and minimal products that you don’t find in the market,” Marium told Arab News.
Turab offers a range of leather products including tote bags, cross body bags, duffel bags, wallets, travel organizers and laptop sleeves in shades of red, green, orange, yellow and blue.
“Being two women, who like to carry good bags [and] funky colors, the inspiration comes from within. All the players in the market that we have for pure leather, they typically go around the shades of browns [and] blacks,” Sakina said.
“And while that’s a big classic, the youth of today really resonates with vibrant and funky colors and that’s something that we’ve tried to incorporate in our brand.”
As co-founders, the two sisters manage most domains of the online business themselves. The branding is taken care of by Marium.
She also does product photography herself, with Sakina modelling for it.
“It’s a home-based setup [and] that’s how it started. We started making all of our products at the shop and then we brought it home. We converted our dada’s [grandfather’s] room basically into the Turab room and that’s where we store all of our products,” Marium said.
The sisters have been to pop-ups and exhibitions, which they say has really helped elevate their business.
But it has its challenges too.
“When people see two women behind the table, specifically men, they come and try to question the knowledge that we have about leather [and] about the product we are selling,” Sakina shared.
“They probably think that we don’t know enough or not more than them.”
Marium, on the other hand, was initially not taken seriously by the artisans at her grandfather’s shop.
“I often go to [our shop in] Saddar to discuss the production side and the karigars [artisans] often don’t take me very seriously. They give me that look that, ‘we will talk to your dad. He knows, you don’t know’,” she said, adding that she hasn’t see any women anywhere near the leather goods production side at least.
However, her father vouched for the skill of both sisters to run the business.
“They catch everything very quickly,” he said. “The leather business is a bit technical. It took them about a year and a half [to learn], but now they can feel everything and tell you what is leather and what is not.”
The two sisters have carved a niche and the future looks promising as they plan to launch a physical outlet and make Turab a “household name” not just in Pakistan, but beyond.
“From packing orders every two days to one week, now packing every single day [and] multiple orders in a day, we have come a long way. And just going forward,” Marium said.
“We got a couple of orders from Dubai. Right now, I am talking to someone in Canada [and] the USA.”
Lebanese model Nour Arida reveals new looks at Paris Fashion Week
DUBAI: Lebanese model Nour Arida has been making waves at Paris Fashion Week, showcasing a fresh fair-haired bob while attending some of the season’s most anticipated shows.
The model has been spotted at various runway events, including Nina Ricci, Chloe, and Rabanne.
For the Chloe show, Arida embraced a luxurious, vintage-inspired aesthetic in a floor-length tiger-print fur coat layered over a black jumpsuit. She accessorized with bold gold jewelry, a structured red handbag and burgundy stiletto heels.
She turned heads in her Rabanne look, stepping out in a striking metallic mini dress made of reflective mirror-like panels connected by metal hardware. The futuristic geometric design featured bold cutouts on the back. She completed the look with a shimmering silver chain-link bag and matching platform heels.
Arida opted for a glamorous yet playful take on classic Parisian style for the Nina Ricci show. She wore a strapless black polka-dot mini dress with ruched detailing, paired with sheer black tights. A matching polka-dot scarf wrapped around her head, adding a vintage Hollywood touch, while black cat-eye sunglasses and red lipstick completed the ensemble.
Arida was not the only Arab fashion star making waves in Paris. Another standout moment came from Gigi Hadid, who commanded the runway at Schiaparelli.
The US Dutch Palestinian model opened the Schiaparelli show on Thursday wearing a black wool crepe jacket featuring an oversized tonal shearling collar. Cinched at the waist, the jacket was accentuated by belt straps adorned with Schiaparelli’s signature keyhole bijou in gold metal.
The supermodel paired the statement jacket with matching high-waisted cowboy pants and accessorized with the brand’s trompe l’oeil earrings in hammered golden brass, shaped like an alligator’s tail.
Iraqi artist Afifa Aleiby unveils new painting of historical women from Islamic civilization
SHARJAH: What do Wallada Al-Mustakfi, Rufaida Al-Aslamia, Dayfa Khatun, and Aminatu have in common? They are all distinguished women in Islamic history that you more than likely have never heard of before. That is about to change thanks to a new painting by the acclaimed Iraqi artist Afifa Aleiby, whose colorful “A Wonderful World,” pays tribute to 16 noteworthy Muslim women whose names have faded away over time.
Commissioned by the Barjeel Art Foundation in Sharjah, the painting will be on public display at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah until the end of Ramadan and will later be transferred to the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.
Aleiby’s work is a companion piece to a 1988 painting titled “Islamic Scientists,” by the late Syrian artist Mahmoud Hammad and currently in the collection of Barjeel Art Foundation.
In his composition, Hammad highlighted 16 influential male scholars and physicians, including Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushd. “Exhibited together for the first time, these artworks stand as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of these intellectuals, both men and women, on the history of Islamic civilization," reads a wall text. The recent unveiling event opened with a panel talk, where Aleiby and Hammad’s daughter, Lubna Hammad, discussed the displayed artworks.
Aleiby noted some of the difficulties in taking on this open-call commission, including a lack of resources, literary and visual. “Some of these women have only two or three lines written about their history and role,” she said.
In her detailed piece, dotted with symbolic elements (such as the proud peacock and a library of books) and set against a serene landscape, Aleiby depicted notable women of medicine, astronomy, poetry, science, education and military leadership who lived between the 7th and 17th centuries in Africa, Andalusia, India, and the Arab world.
One of these figures is Razia Sultana, who was born in the 13th century and went on to become the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in India. From the 11th century, there is also a depiction of Safiyya bint Abdullah Al-Riyy, who was a skilled calligrapher and poet in Andalusia. Another Andalusian woman of poetry is the rebellious and liberal Wallada Al-Mustakfi, who formed a literary salon that was a meeting point for male and female voices.
What to wear this Ramadan: A selection of seasonal collections from international brands
RIYADH: This Ramadan, top fashion brands from around the world are debuting limited-edition collections and campaigns that fuse traditional influences with contemporary style, capturing the essence of this season of reflection and celebration.
Missoni
Missoni’s SS25 Ramadan Capsule Collection blends elegance with modest designs, featuring flowing dresses, wide-leg pants, soft blouses, and layered cardigans. “Evoking themes of renewal,” according to the press release, the palette features rich greens and sandy hues, with the Italian label’s signature zigzag Raschel fabric and metallic embroidery.
Tory Burch
The US designer’s Ramadan collection features both clothing and accessories, including the Eleanor Metallic Mini Satchel in gold, lavender, and silver, paired with chic slingbacks and mules. Lightweight silk separates in the brand’s signature T Monogram could work for iftar and suhoor gatherings. The collection also features jewelry with pave crystals, pearls, and star charms, along with classic watches.
Loewe
The Spanish luxury house’s collection — the campaign for which is fronted by Saudi Arabian actress and filmmaker Sarah Taibah — “celebrates effortless sophistication with a curated selection of ready-to-wear, handbags, and accessories designed for the season.” It features kaftans, tunics, and wide-leg trousers in a muted palette of sand, ivory, and deep emerald, enhanced with delicate embroidery and metallic accents. The collection also sees the brand’s signature bags get a Ramadan makeover.
Farfetch
The luxury label platform is running a modestwear campaign for Ramadan, “featuring chic neutrals, bold prints, and exclusive designs.” With a focus on family, togetherness, and celebration, the collection features tailored suits, flowing kaftans, dreamy evening dresses and luxe loungewear. Featured labels include Brunello Cucinelli, Burberry, Oscar de la Renta, and Shatha Essa.
McQueen
The British luxury fashion house has launched a six-piece capsule collection, with flowy florals and dreamy drapes — from wide-leg trousers and oversized shirts to a midi dress with delicate bib detailing. For evening glamour, there’s a twisted-drape tunic and a chiffon cape dress with crystal embroidery. For accessories, pick from a fuchsia python, black suede T-Bar bags and clutches, and gold-crystal embellished sandals and ruched mules.
Coach
Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna is the face of the US label’s Ramadan campaign, “celebrating modern elegance with a touch of timeless charm.” The collection showcases signature pieces including leather handbags, tailored coats, and flowy dresses, all in soft neutrals and metallic accents with an emphasis on comfort, versatility, and sophistication.
Tom Ford
The US fashion label’s first ever Ramadan capsule collection includes four women’s and three men’s looks, and accessories ranging from bags to shoes. The collection draws inspiration from night and day, with tones ranging from beige to blue. For women, the items include a matching set of kaftan and shirt. For men, the items include a bomber jacket, trousers, shirt and shorts.
Dior
The French luxury label’s collection features a rich palette of gold, ivory, and deep jewel tones. You’ll find elegant kaftans, flowing dresses, and tailored separates, each crafted with luxurious fabrics and intricate detailing. Metallic accents, delicate embroidery, and shimmering embellishments elevate the designs, making them perfect for both daytime and evening celebrations.
