Hong Kong gifts Pakistan a culinary star

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This picture taken on January 16, 2019 shows a selection of dishes cooked by the New Punjab Club restaurant in Hong Kong. (AFP)
Updated 30 January 2019
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Hong Kong gifts Pakistan a culinary star

  • Asim Hussain has won the world’s first Michelin star for a Pakistani restaurant
  • Pakistani restaurants in the west have started proclaiming their real culinary heritage more proudly

HONG KONG: A pair of his father's old tandoor ovens helped Hong Kong restaurateur Asim Hussain achieve a dream -- the world's first Michelin star for a Pakistani restaurant, an accolade he hopes will fire interest in the country's often overlooked cuisine.
Like many of Hong Kong's 85,000 strong South Asian population, Hussain's family trace their lineage in the bustling financial hub back generations, when the city was a British colonial outpost.
His great-grandfather arrived during World War One, overseeing mess halls for British soldiers while his Cantonese speaking father owned restaurants in the eighties and nineties.
Hussain, 33, already had some twenty eateries in his group when he decided to embark on his what he described as his most personal and risky project yet, a restaurant serving dishes from Pakistan's Punjab region, the family's ancestral homeland and where he was packed off to boarding school aged six.
His father, a serial entrepreneur and even once Pakistan's ambassador to South Korea, suggested he restore two old tandoors from his now shuttered restaurant collecting dust in storage.
"He comes from a generation that doesn't throw things away," laughs Hussain, dressed in a traditional knee-length tunic and sitting in a restaurant decked with paintings by Pakistani artists. "Actually the results are better than if we had new ovens because these things improve with age."
Those tandoors, frequent trips to Lahore to perfect recipes and a kitchen overseen by head chef Palash Mitra, earned the New Punjab Club a Michelin star just 18 months after it opened its doors.
The success made headlines in Pakistan, a country that is unlikely to see a Michelin guide any time soon and whose chefs have long felt overshadowed by the wider global recognition gained from neighbouring India's regional cuisines.
"It makes us proud, it makes us very happy," Waqar Chattha, who runs one of Islamabad's best-known restaurants, told AFP. "In the restaurant fraternity it's a great achievement. It sort of sets a benchmark for others to achieve as well."
Hussain is keen to note that his restaurant only represents one of Pakistan's many cuisines, the often meat-heavy, piquant food of the Punjab. At it doesn't come cheap -- as much as $100 per head.
"I'm not arrogant or ignorant to say this is the best Pakistani restaurant in the world. There are better Pakistani restaurants than this in Pakistan."
But he says the accolade has still been a "great source of pride" for Hong Kong's 18,000-strong Pakistani community.
"It's bringing a very niche personal story back to life, this culture, this cuisine is sort of unknown outside of Pakistan, outside of Punjab, so in a very small way I think we've shed a positive light on the work, on who we are and where we come from," he explains.
It was the second star achieved by Black Sheep, the restaurant group which was founded six years ago by Hussain and his business partner, veteran Canadian chef Christopher Mark, and has seen rapid success.
But the expansion of Michelin and other western food guides into Asia has not been without controversy.
Critics have often said reviewers tended to over-emphasise western culinary standards, service and tastes.
Daisann McLane is one of those detractors. She describes the Michelin guide's arrival in Bangkok last year as "completely changing the culinary scene there -- and not in a good way."
She runs culinary tours to some of the Hong Kong's less glitzy eateries -- to hole in the wall "dai pai dong" food stalls, African and South Asian canteens hidden inside the famously labyrinthine Chungking Mansions and to "cha chan teng" tea shops famous for their sweet brews and thick slabs of toast.
While she's "delighted" New Punjab Club has been recognised, she has her reservations: "There is a lot of world cuisine operating way under the radar in Hong Kong and it doesn't get noticed by Michelin or the big award groups."
For some, any recognition of Pakistan's overlooked cuisine is a success story.
Sumayya Usmani said she spent years trying to showcase the distinct flavours of Pakistani cuisine, so heavily influenced by the tumultuous and violent migration sparked by the 1947 partition of India.
When the British-Pakistani chef first pitched her cookbook to publishers on her country's cuisine, many initially balked.
But in recent years, she says, attitudes have changed. Pakistani-run restaurants in the west that once might have described themselves as Indian are more proudly proclaiming their real culinary heritage, she says.
"I think it's really good that people are coming out of that fear of calling themselves specifically Pakistani," she told AFP. "It's nice that Pakistanis have started to take ownership of what belongs to them."
Back in Hong Kong, Hussain remarks the hard work has only just begun.
"I joke with the boys and I say that 'It's the first Pakistani Punjabi restaurant in the world to win a star, let's not be the first one to lose a star'".


Pakistan ruling coalition ally criticizes cyber law amendments, warns of threat to free speech

Updated 01 March 2025
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Pakistan ruling coalition ally criticizes cyber law amendments, warns of threat to free speech

  • Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act is widely criticized as a tool to stifle dissent
  • PPP’s Raza Rabbani calls the PECA amendment bill ‘black law,’ says it can weaken the state

KARACHI: A senior Pakistani politician from a party supporting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition on Saturday condemned the recent amendments to the country’s cyber laws, warning they would jeopardize freedom of speech and weaken the state.
Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was originally enacted in 2016, but an amendment bill passed in January 2025 expanded its scope by broadening the definition of “fake news” and criminalizing defamation against government officials.
The law also established a new social media regulatory authority to oversee digital content and a cybercrime agency with the power to prosecute violations.
Speaking at a convention related to the issue, Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan Peoples Party denounced the PECA amendments as a “black law,” asserting they would further restrict an already regulated digital space, especially for journalists.
“Trying to stop or restrict freedom of the press actually weakens the state. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right,” Rabbani said, highlighting the law’s “vague provisions on fake news” and other reforms that he warned could be easily manipulated.
He criticized the government for failing to consult stakeholders before enacting the amendments and urged an immediate suspension of the law’s implementation. Rabbani called for dialogue with journalists, civil society and other relevant groups to revise the legislation.
Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, a legal expert, told the gathering the amendments undermined democratic principles by granting the government disproportionate power.
He also warned against the new authority mandated to take swift action against social media platforms during his speech.
“This authority is empowered to block platforms and remove content within 24 hours of a complaint being filed,” Ahmed said. “This gives an alarming level of unchecked power to a single body, which could easily be misused to stifle dissent.”
Sohail Afzal Khan, secretary of the Karachi Press Club, where the convention was held, echoed these concerns, arguing PECA was designed to suppress journalists rather than combat disinformation.
“If the government had been sincere in combating fake news, it would have enacted legislation in consultation with journalist leadership and other stakeholders. Instead, it seeks to suppress the voice of journalists,” Khan said.
The event was attended by representatives from major political parties, lawyers, rights activists and media workers, culminating in a resolution rejecting PECA 2025.
The resolution called for the removal of restrictions on free speech and an end to legal actions against journalists under the pretext of combating misinformation.
“The meeting resolves to continue its struggle against PECA and similar laws, within democratic frameworks, by collaborating with civil society and democratic forces,” it said.


PM Sharif highlights Palestinian and Kashmiri struggles as Ramadan begins in Pakistan

Updated 01 March 2025
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PM Sharif highlights Palestinian and Kashmiri struggles as Ramadan begins in Pakistan

  • The prime minister says it is time to strengthen Muslim unity and promote cooperation
  • He urges people to support financially disadvantaged segments during the holy month

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday recalled the struggles of the Palestinian and Kashmiri people while urging greater unity among Muslim states, as Pakistan prepares to begin the holy month of Ramadan from tomorrow.
Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee announced a day earlier that the Ramadan crescent was not sighted anywhere in the country, confirming that the first day of fasting would fall on Sunday.
Observed by Muslims worldwide, the month is marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, which many consider a time for spiritual reflection, self-discipline and devotion.
Fasting is also seen as a way to strengthen faith and develop empathy for the less fortunate.
“We are grateful to Allah for once again blessing us with the holy month of Ramadan, a time of mercy, blessings, and forgiveness,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by his office in a statement.
“We must remember our Palestinian and Kashmiri brothers and sisters who continue to suffer oppression and raise our voices against this injustice,” he continued. “This is the time to strengthen Muslim unity and promote cooperation and brotherhood.”
Sharif also called on Pakistanis to support financially disadvantaged segments of society during the month, which places a strong emphasis on charity and social welfare.
Ramadan holds special significance for Muslims, as it was during one of its nights that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The month is observed with increased prayer, charitable giving and community gatherings, culminating in the festival of Eid Al-Fitr.


Pakistan’s army chief inaugurates combat simulation center in Bahawalpur sector

Updated 01 March 2025
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Pakistan’s army chief inaugurates combat simulation center in Bahawalpur sector

  • General Munir interacts with officers and troops, commends their dedication and morale
  • The army chief also launches two other facilities focusing on IT and medical education

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Saturday inaugurated a combat simulation center and two other facilities focused on information technology and medical education during a visit to Bahawalpur, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
The strategically important garrison town in southern Punjab plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s military readiness, particularly in the context of its nuclear-armed neighbor, India.
The area is home to the Bahawalpur Corps, a key formation responsible for border defense and rapid deployment, given its proximity to India’s Rajasthan state, which hosts major Indian military bases. Bahawalpur also serves as a logistics and training hub, with large-scale military drills focusing on different warfare scenarios.
ISPR said the army chief received a briefing on the operational preparedness and training aspects of the Bahawalpur Corps during the visit.
“COAS inaugurated the CMH Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Innovista Cholistan and Integrated Combat Simulator Arena, pioneering initiatives aimed at advancing medical education, information technology and combat readiness,” it added
During his visit to CIMS, General Munir engaged with students from various universities, emphasizing the army’s role in nurturing young talent. He urged students to pursue academic excellence and develop the skills necessary for national development, reaffirming the army’s commitment to empowering youth
Earlier, the army chief was received by the Commander of Bahawalpur Corps and addressed officers and troops, commending their dedication and high morale.
He stressed that rigorous training remains the cornerstone of a soldier’s professional development, adding that it is essential for meeting the challenges of modern warfare.


Pakistan’s internet industry body seeks reforms amid digital connectivity crisis

Updated 01 March 2025
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Pakistan’s internet industry body seeks reforms amid digital connectivity crisis

  • Internet service providers’ association says only two operators are controlling Pakistan’s digital connectivity
  • It seeks a second internet gateway in Gwadar, asks regulators to negotiate bandwidth in local currency

KARACHI: Pakistan’s ongoing internet crisis, marked by soaring costs and sluggish speeds, stems from structural issues in which two operators control the gateway to global connectivity, the country’s internet service providers’ association said this week.

Pakistan is heavily reliant on digital connectivity for economic growth. However, the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) said in a statement users were getting an average speed of just 20-30 megabits per second (Mbps), which was significantly lower than that of countries like Bangladesh in the region where speeds reach 50 Mbps, despite Pakistanis paying nearly twice as much for the service.

WISPAP warned against the “near-duopoly” of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Transworld Associates (TWA), saying it had led to monopolistic pricing, restricting competition and keeping internet services expensive and inefficient.

Its assertion comes as Africa-1, a new undersea cable system, recently landed in Pakistan, promising additional bandwidth, though the association said it would only benefit the two existing gatekeepers of global connectivity.

“Ban gatekeepers from overcharging or locking out rivals,” the statement prepared on Tuesday quoted Shahzad Arshad, WISPAP chairman, as saying. “Fair rules mean fair rates.”

Pakistan’s internet infrastructure is centered around Karachi, where PTCL and TWA manage the country’s seven undersea fiber-optic cable connections and two smaller overland links.

Arshad noted the lack of competition allows these operators to set high prices for bandwidth, which internet service providers (ISPs) must purchase before distributing internet services to consumers.

WISPAP also proposed policy recommendations, including creating a second internet gateway in Gwadar, saying it would reduce broadband costs by 30 percent in five years.

“Invite new operators, local or foreign, with tax breaks,” its chairman suggested. “PTCL and TWA will have to fight for customers, not just cash them out.”

Additionally, the group urged regulators to follow Malaysia’s model of negotiating bandwidth in local currency, shielding ISPs from volatile exchange rates.

“Cut the dollar leash, and ISPs save 20% overnight,” Arshad said. “That’s cheaper Wi-Fi for every household.”

Pakistan’s internet crisis has far-reaching consequences for businesses, impacting sectors such as e-commerce, fintech and freelancing. The country’s freelance industry, which generated $1.2 billion in 2024, is particularly vulnerable to unreliable connectivity.

WISPAP estimates that affordable, high-speed internet could double freelancing revenue to $2.5 billion by 2030, while also bringing 10 million more Pakistanis online.


Pakistan Navy ship participates in UAE defense exhibition to bolster maritime ties

Updated 01 March 2025
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Pakistan Navy ship participates in UAE defense exhibition to bolster maritime ties

  • The UAE event features naval vessels from eight nations and participation from 65 countries
  • PNS Yarmouk has carried out joint exercises with the UAE Navy’s ship Al Emarat, ISPR says

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistan Navy ship is participating in an international defense exhibition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of efforts to strengthen maritime relations with the Gulf nation, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.
The Pakistan Navy ship Yarmouk arrived in the UAE for the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX 25), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Several high-profile officials, including the UAE’s minister for tolerance and the defense ministers of Romania and Yemen, visited the vessel.
“Participation in the defense exhibition reflects Pakistan’s strong defense ties with the UAE and its active role in global maritime security initiatives,” the ISPR said.

This handout photo shows UAE Tolerance and Coexistance Minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan onboard Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook during International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) & Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (Photo courtesy: Handout/Pakistan Navy)

Pakistan has intensified its naval diplomacy in the region and beyond in recent years, particularly with Gulf nations, as part of efforts to enhance maritime security and defense collaboration.
The growing engagement aligns with Islamabad’s broader strategy of maintaining stability in regional waters and securing trade routes amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
The UAE event, which features naval vessels from eight nations and participation from 65 countries, comes weeks after Pakistan hosted the AMAN-25 multinational exercise, where 60 countries took part in maritime drills aimed at enhancing interoperability and regional security.

In this handout photo, released on February 28, 2025, Pakistan Navy official briefs visitors onboard Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook during International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) & Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (Photo courtesy: Handout/Pakistan Navy)

Following AMAN-25, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia conducted the Affaa Al Sahil bilateral naval exercise, which concluded in Karachi last month with a demonstration of firepower and combat tactics.
During its visit to the UAE, PNS Yarmouk also carried out joint exercises with the UAE Navy’s ship Al Emarat.