RAWALPINDI: Shamim Akhtar is making headlines in Pakistan as the first professional truck driver in the country. Akhtar uses her six-wheel truck to transport goods around the country.
Akhtar, a divorcee and mother-of-four in her late fifties, told Arab News that she began work as a truck driver to “earn a living and feed my children in a dignified way.”
Akhtar is known by her fellow drivers as “Shamim Bhai,” or Brother Shamim — a sign that she has gained the respect of her peers, although she admitted that it took some time for them to accept her.
“Male drivers have a lot of respect for me because I am the only woman among them,” she said.
On the chaotic roads of Pakistan, women can often be seen driving cars, but, as far as Akhtar is aware, she is the only woman in the country to drive a truck or bus. The transportation business in the country is largely closed to women.
Akhtar lives in a slum in Rawalpindi, a garrison town that is usually described as Islamabad’s twin city.
“When my ex-husband married another woman and told me to feed my own children, I joined the transportation industry where I earn $300 to $400 per month,” she said.
Before she began driving professionally, Akhtar worked at a sewing school in her neighborhood. However, that did not provide enough money to enable her to care for her children, so she decided to switch jobs.
“I didn’t want to beg from anyone. I have always wanted to earn my livelihood in a respectable and decent way,” she said.
Muhammad Ayaz, a mechanic in the vicinity, said that Akhtar had shown courage by becoming a driver to earn for her children.
“She is bold because she is working in a profession in which women are not welcomed. She prefers to work hard instead of begging on the streets,” Ayaz added.
“Shamim has made a breakthrough,” Majid Iqbal, an inspector in Islamabad Police, said. “She is the first woman to secure a license to drive heavy vehicles.”
He suggested this could encourage other female drivers to seek employment. “More female drivers should join the transportation industry since female passengers are likely to feel safer with them,” he noted.
Akhtar said she wanted to initiate a program for the welfare of drivers, pointing out that their job is tough but they are usually not paid well.
“Drivers of heavy vehicles work day and night. They work in all seasons, but they get a meager amount in return. I want to launch a special initiative for them,” she said. “Going on a long route is not an easy job. You have to drive for hours without taking rest. But I am used to it now.”
Fellow truck driver Nasir Khan said he and his colleagues hold Akhtar in great esteem.
“I would have quit the profession if my male colleagues did not show me enough respect,” Akhtar said. “Initially some drivers did not welcome me because they thought I was posing a threat to them.”
However, she said that courage and perseverance had enabled her to continue.
“I want to do good work for my professional community so that the coming generation remembers me in golden words,” Akhtar said.
'Shamim Bhai' becomes the first professional female truck driver in Pakistan
'Shamim Bhai' becomes the first professional female truck driver in Pakistan
- Shamim Akhtar, a divorcee and mother-of-four in her late-fifties, earns $300-400 a month
- Akhtar says she started driving truck to feed her children after their father left
West Indies 54-5 in chase of 251 in spin-dominated Pakistan Test
- Sajid Khan impresses again by taking four wickets against West Indies
- Jomel Warrican took 7-32 in spin-tricky overs to bundle Pakistan out for 157
MULTAN, Pakistan, Jan 19, 2025 : Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan struck four times to leave the West Indies in deep trouble on 54-5 at lunch on the third day of the first Test in their chase of 251 for victory.
The West Indies need 197 runs to win while Pakistan are chasing five wickets in a battle between the two basement sides in the World Test Championship.
On a Multan Stadium pitch that has sharp turn, the West Indies lost skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (12), Keacy Carty (six), Kavem Hodge (nought) and Mikyle Louis (13) — all to Sajid, who has figures of 4-25.
In the last over before the lunch break, fellow spinner Noman Ali trapped Justin Greaves leg before for nine to give Pakistan a sniff of victory.
Alick Athanaze was unbeaten on 12.
Earlier, Jomel Warrican finished with 7-32 in 18 spin-tricky overs to bundle Pakistan out for 157 after they resumed on 109-3, managing to add just 48 runs.
Warrican tore through the Pakistan batting line-up with nagging line and length to claim match figures of 10-101, his first 10-wicket haul.
His previous best innings figures of 4-50 came against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2021.
He also improved on the previous best figures by a West Indian in Pakistan, held by fast bowler Malcolm Marshall with 5-33 at Lahore in 1986.
Warrican dismissed overnight batter Saud Shakeel with the first ball of the day for two and then had Mohammad Rizwan in his next over for the same score.
He continued the demolition act with the wickets of Kamran Ghulam (27), Noman (nine) and Sajid (five).
Fellow spinner Gudakesh Motie ending the innings by dismissing Salman Agha for 14.
The second match starts from January 25, also in Multan.
21 Pakistani nationals among survivors of Morocco boat tragedy— FO
- Migrant boat sank off Morocco’s coast this week with reportedly 86 on board
- Pakistan says coordinating with Morocco to finalize repatriation procedures
ISLAMABAD: Twenty-one Pakistani nationals are among the survivors of a migrant boat that sank off the coast of Morocco recently, the foreign office said on Sunday, stating that food and medicines were being arranged for them.
Pakistan’s foreign office confirmed on Thursday that a migrant boat with 80 passengers on board, including several Pakistanis, had capsized near Morocco en route to Spain.
According to Moroccan authorities, 36 people were rescued on Wednesday from the vessel, which had departed Mauritania on Jan. 2. The boat had 86 migrants on board, including 66 Pakistanis, according to minority rights group Walking Borders.
“Based on verified information, twenty-one Pakistani nationals have been identified among the survivors of a maritime incident near Dakhla, Morocco,” the foreign office said in a statement.
“Through our diplomatic mission in Rabat, immediate assistance has been mobilized for the affected nationals,” it added.
The foreign office said it had arranged essential provisions including food, water, medicine and clothing for the survivors through the Pakistan embassy in Rabat. It said local authorities in Dakhla are providing shelter and medical care in response to Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach.
“Government remains in close coordination with relevant authorities in Morocco to ensure comprehensive support for our affected citizens and finalize repatriation procedures,” the foreign office said.
“We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” it said.
The development takes place after Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, held a meeting in Islamabad to review the situation on Saturday.
Media reports claim almost all the Pakistanis who were on the boat were from cities in the eastern Punjab province.
The government has intensified its efforts in recent months against human smugglers who facilitate perilous journeys for illegal immigrants to Europe and has made several arrests.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for enhanced cooperation with international agencies, seeking swift action against human trafficking networks.
The incident near Morocco once again highlighted the perilous journeys many migrants, particularly Pakistanis, undertake due to conflict and economic instability in their home country.
In 2023, hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drowned when an overcrowded vessel sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek town of Pylos.
It was among the deadliest boat disasters ever recorded in the Mediterranean Sea.
Pakistan holds joint sailing operations with Italian Navy in Gulf of Oman
- Joint sailing operations provided unique training platform for cadets, says Pakistan Navy
- Pakistan Navy regularly partakes in bilateral exercises with countries to foster collaboration
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy’s training ship “Rah Naward” this week conducted joint sailing operations with Italian Navy sail ship Amerigo Vespucci in the Gulf of Oman, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement, saying that the exercise provided a unique training experience for cadets.
The exercise was part of the Pakistani ship’s overseas deployment to Oman, aimed at fostering goodwill and providing practical training to cadets from the Pakistan Naval Academy, the Pakistan Navy said.
It said the exercise offered opportunities for cadets to enhance their skills in joint sailing operations.
“The planning and execution of this exercise, conducted while both ships were on their respective national tasking; exemplifies the high level of coordination and professionalism shared between the two navies,” the Pakistan Navy said.
It said the joint sailing operations provided a unique learning platform for cadets but also showcased distinct sailing techniques of two “Tall Ships” from different regions.
Tall ships are large sailing vessels with tall masts and traditional rigging.
“This interaction underscores the enduring collaboration and growing interoperability between the Pakistan Navy and global naval forces,” it added.
Pakistan Navy regularly partakes in bilateral exercises with regional countries to stem the spread of illegal maritime activities such as human smuggling, piracy and drug trafficking.
Pakistan, Britain reaffirm their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties
- British high commissioner meets Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal to discuss bilateral cooperation
- Iqbal highlights financial sector's importance in promoting export growth, enhancing agricultural exports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen bilateral relations to ensure mutual economic development, state-run media reported this week.
UK's High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott met Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday during which Pakistan's measures to improve its economy came under discussion.
Iqbal spoke about Islamabad's efforts to eradicate basic education deprivation through public-private partnerships, provincial cooperation to enhance capacity in education, health, and human resources, and significant budget increases for higher education, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
"Pakistan and Britain have reaffirmed the commitment to foster stronger ties and collaborative efforts for mutual growth and development," Radio Pakistan said in its report.
The minister told the British official that Pakistan's economic strategy includes its aims to address five critical areas including exports, e-Pakistan, environment and climate change, energy and infrastructure, equity and empowerment.
He stressed the importance of Pakistan's financial sector in promoting export growth, enhancing agricultural exports, fostering industrial development and advancing critical areas such as IT, services, mining, workforce export, the blue economy, and innovation, the report said.
Pakistan and the UK have strong military, economic and educational ties, with the latter hosting a large Pakistani diaspora.
Pakistani neuroscientist accused of ‘terrorism’ calls for pardon before Biden leaves office
- Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years in prison on multiple charges, including attempting to kill US nationals
- Her lawyer has submitted a dossier to Biden, who has until Monday to grant clemency before Trump's swearing-in
KARACHI: A Pakistani neuroscientist accused of “terrorism” by Washington has appealed to outgoing US President Joe Biden to grant her clemency before he hands over the reins of the country to President-elect Donald Trump, her lawyer said this week.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a US-trained neuroscientist, was convicted in 2010 on multiple charges, including attempting to kill US nationals. She became a suspect after leaving the US and marrying a nephew of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, a self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Siddiqui was wounded during a confrontation with US officials in Afghanistan in 2008, with some reports suggesting she shot at the Americans. She was sentenced to 86 years in prison in 2010, prompting a huge outcry from Pakistan and human rights voices worldwide.
Her lawyer claims she was visiting Pakistan in 2003 when she was abducted with her three children by Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency and handed to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which took her to Afghanistan. Pakistan’s intelligence agencies have denied the claims.
Dr. Siddiqui’s lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, has submitted a 76,500-word dossier to Biden and is calling on the American president to pardon him before Trump’s swearing-in on Monday.
“We just pray and keep our fingers crossed and I hope to goodness our clemency is granted Monday morning,” Smith told Arab News late Saturday night.
“And if not, revert to plan B and plan C and plan D until we get her out of this awful place,” he added.
Smith said Siddiqui was “in good spirits” when he met her on Friday at the detention facility in Fort Worth, Texas, for four hours despite her trauma. He said Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, her sister, had traveled 10,000 miles to see her sister but was only allowed 40 minutes to see her sister.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also wrote a letter to Biden in October 2024, calling for Siddiqui’s release.
In the letter, Sharif stressed that several Pakistani officials had made consular visits to her in prison, raising “serious concerns” about her treatment while incarcerated.
The prime minister said her time in prison had “severely impacted her already fragile mental and frail physical health,” adding: “In fact, they [the officials] even fear that she could take her own life.”
Biden has until Monday to grant Siddiqui clemency. So far, he has issued 39 pardons and commuted 3,989 sentences.
According to Sky News, Smith claims a catalog of intelligence errors led to her initially becoming a suspect, citing witness testimonies that were unavailable at the time of her trial.
Smith said US intelligence “got the wrong end of the stick in the beginning” as agencies thought Siddiqui was a nuclear physicist working on a radioactive bomb “when she really did her PhD in education.”
He said this happened as the US was “terrified of terrorists getting their hands on WMD (weapons of mass destruction),” adding: “She’s no more of a terrorist than I am.”
The US Department of Justice did not respond to Sky News.
