ISLAMABAD: Unassuming and petite, on first glance Anita Karim seems like a regular 22-year-old. That’s until she unleashes her powers inside the ring as Pakistan’s first and only woman Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) champion.
She’s in the news again after her phenomenal win at the One Warrior Series in Singapore.
A video of her arrival at the Islamabad airport — where several had gathered to celebrate her win — has been shared more than 1,000 times on Twitter and garnered more than 5,000 likes.
It shows the heavily-garlanded athlete being greeted by women, children and men alike, with some dancing to drum beats and cheering her on.
“It always feels great when your victory is being celebrated by everyone; when you make everyone happy and proud,” Karim said, adding that this “was expected because I knew how the people of Gilgit-Baltistan always appreciate and celebrate women’s’ success.”
It was in 2018 when Karim began training for her first major fight in the One Warrior Series. It was after that grappling and arm-snapping tournament — which eventually earned her the nickname of ‘The Arm Collector’ — that Fight Fortress and Karim prepared to make her mark abroad. Unfortunately, the fight resulted in a loss for Karim who doubled down on her training, heading to Fairtex Training Center Pattaya in Thailand, to gear up for her 2019 Warrior One run in Singapore.
In Singapore, Karim beat Indonesia’s Gita Suharsono, cementing her victory and bringing her fighting record to 1-1.
“[Singapore] was a crucial win for me as I had already lost my professional debut so I had to leave for my training camp,” she said.
“This was my first ever [training] camp outside of the country and that too without anyone from my family with me. But when my hand was raised after the fight [to declare her the winner] it was all worth it.”
Despite it being just days since her return to Pakistan, Karim is already back in the game — citing a busy year ahead with more fights on the horizon — and hopes to head back to Thailand to train soon.
“I have a couple of fights lined up with One Warrior Series and I am hoping to go back to train very soon so I can stay ready for whenever I am called for a fight,” she said.
A native of Pakistan’s Hunza Valley, Karim, who belongs to the region’s dominant Ismaili sect, has become one of Pakistan’s most prominent and respected athletes in a very short span of time.
Growing up in the north, she credits her community and family for her success and achievements.
“People in Hunza have always encouraged girls and women to come forward and take part in all fields of life, be it sports or working in the offices,” she said, adding that “if it wasn’t for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and their support, I think [our team] wouldn’t be doing as good.”
Credited with breaking the glass ceiling for several young girls and women in the country, Karim says her feeling at ease in the ring could be credited to growing up in a family of athletes.
“I was raised in a family where all of my cousins were practicing and competing in Tae Kwon Do, and all of them were black belts. I used to train with my brothers and compete against boys in tournaments,” she said.
Eventually, more and more girls started practicing Tae Kwon Do too. “[Our community] started to encourage them. That encouragement not only led to them winning multiple gold medals but also the tournament’s best team award a couple of times,” she said, adding that a love for the sport helped everyone in her family achieve greater laurels..
Two of her brothers are part of her coaching team, while another brother is also an MMA fighter.
“My family and my brothers have always been my support. My brothers, Ali Sultan and Ehtisham Karim, are my coaches, they are the ones who taught me everything I know. The other coaches...at Fight Fortress always made sure I did my best,” she said, adding that intensive training outside the ring helped her stay focused inside it.
Supported by her family to give MMA her complete focus, she took a break from education in late 2016. Karim, then 20, moved from Hunza to Islamabad to join the reputable Fight Fortress, a training ground for aspiring fighters. It was at Fight Fortress that Karim met and began training with MMA star, Uloomi Karim.
“When I heard about my brother Uloomi fighting and saw his videos, I wanted to be like him. When I finally met him and saw him train, my thoughts turned into inspiration and I told myself that I will become like him,” she said.
It was Uloomi Karim who dubbed her ‘The Arm Collector,’ following a memorable bout in the ring. “He] gave me the name after my first ever grappling competition, I won all my matches by arm locks and in this was the same competition where I broke a girls’ arm, which was an unfortunate event but it’s a part of the game.”
As Pakistan’s lone woman MMA fighter, Karim says the responsibility “puts me in a place from where I can raise my voice for all women and girls in the country who want to do something in life but don’t have any support.”
She hopes others will follow suit. “Bringing girls/women forward in this sport...I am very happy to be the playing my role in it,” she said.
The place she had earned in the sport is one which she and her team value and hope to utilize to it’s fullest potential.
“We wanted to set an example for everyone and encourage the idea of men supporting women and we believe this is the true definition of women empowerment,” she said.
Pakistan’s first woman MMA fighter breaks arms and barriers
Pakistan’s first woman MMA fighter breaks arms and barriers
- Anita Karim returns after clinching the title at the One Warrior Series in Singapore
- Credits her family and community for her eventful journey thus far
Pakistan to send trade delegations to Bangladesh on Jan. 19, 20 amid thaw in ties
- Pakistan to send business delegations of citrus, date fruits to Bangladesh next week
- Trade exhibition to showcase Pakistan’s potential in Bangladeshi market, says organizer
ISLAMABAD: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) said on Sunday it will send two trade delegations to Bangladesh from Jan. 19-20 in a bid to increase bilateral relations and economic collaboration, as both countries move to repair strained ties.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one nation, but they split in 1971 as a result of a bloody civil war, which saw the part previously referred to as East Pakistan seceding to form the independent nation of Bangladesh.
In the years since, Bangladeshi leaders, particularly former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, chose to maintain close ties with India. Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have warmed up since Hasina’s ouster as a result of a student-led uprising in August 2024, witnessing a marked improvement.
The TDAP said that it would send two Pakistani trade delegations focusing on the trade of date fruits and citrus between the two countries.
“The first delegation of dates comprising 13 exporters will leave for a week-long visit on Jan. 19 while the second delegation of citrus will leave for a business-to-business (B2B) meeting on Jan. 20,” the TDAP said.
It said the business delegations aimed to explore more trade opportunities, promote business partnerships and Pakistan’s export potential in the Bangladeshi market.
Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, TDAP chief executive, said the authority planned to organize a trade exhibition in Bangladesh where Pakistani entrepreneurs will have a chance to showcase their products.
“Pakistan is one of the top ten importers of Bangladesh, covering sectors such as textiles, agriculture, food, chemicals and basic metals, but there is still room for further expansion of these imports,” he said.
He said both countries have been in talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) since 2002, adding that it could pave the way for greater opportunities for the people of both countries.
The development comes after Tuesday’s signing of a landmark agreement between Pakistan and Bangladeshi businesspersons to establish a joint business council between the two countries.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to visit Dhaka at the start of February to further consolidate the relations between the two countries.
Pakistan says ‘CPEC 2.0’ to attract more Chinese companies and investment
- CPEC, a multi-billion-dollar project, connects China and Pakistan through network of highways, railways and pipelines
- Pakistan says CPEC’s second phase will involve advanced technological transfer, and focus on industrialization and SEZs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will attract more Chinese investment and companies, as Islamabad eyes greater collaboration with Beijing to bolster its economy.
CPEC is a multi-billion-dollar project that connects China and Pakistan through a network of highways, railways and pipelines. In December 2024, Pakistan announced that both countries would work on the CPEC project with a renewed focus.
The government has said that the second phase of the CPEC project would be known as “CPEC 2.0” and would involve deeper collaboration, advanced technological transfer and transformative socio-economic projects.
“Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the importance of CPEC 2.0,” Pakistan’s finance ministry said while speaking to Hong Kong’s TVB News.
“The second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will attract more Chinese companies and investment,” the finance minister said.
Aurangzeb, who this week attended the Asian Financial Forum in Hong Kong, invited the Asian country to send delegations to explore trade and financial opportunities in Pakistan.
“Hong Kong can be a suitable location for joint ventures between Chinese and Pakistani companies,” the finance minister was quoted as saying.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry said last week that the second phase of the project would focus on industrialization and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as well as on clean energy, agriculture and livelihood projects.
However, the project has been hit by Islamabad struggling to keep up financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants, especially in the country’s southwestern province.
Pakistan’s Sajid and Abrar demolish West Indies in first Test win
- Sajid Khan takes 5-50 and match figures of 9-115 to bamboozle West Indies
- Test lasted fewer than 8 sessions, with start delayed on first day by poor visibility
Multan, Pakistan: Spinner Sajid Khan took five wickets and Abrar Ahmed another four to guide Pakistan to a 127-run win on the third day of the first Test against West Indies in Multan on Sunday.
Sajid took 5-50 for match figures of 9-115, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed snared 4-27 as West Indies were dismissed for 123, falling well short of their victory target of 251.
Pakistan’s spinners took all the wickets in West Indies’ second innings, with Noman Ali chipping in with 1-42, as the home side took an early advantage in the two-Test series.
Left-handed batter Alick Athanaze hit 55, the only half-century of the match for the tourists, and added 41 runs for the sixth wicket with Tevin Imlach.
Sajid removed the dangerous Athanaze, while Abrar’s haul included the final wicket of Jomel Warrican.
Left-armer Warrican had led the spin attack for the tourists with a career-best 7-32 as Pakistan were bowled out for 157 in their second innings.
They were also the best figures by a West Indian bowler in Pakistan, topping fast bowler Malcolm Marshall’s 5-33 at Lahore in 1986.
The Test lasted fewer than eight sessions, with the start delayed on the first day by poor visibility.
The Multan pitch provided sharp turn, with Sajid taking the wickets of skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (12), Keacy Carty (six), Kavem Hodge (0) and Mikyle Louis (13).
Noman then trapped Justin Greaves leg before wicket for nine in the last over before lunch, leaving the tourists tottering on 54-5.
Pakistan had resumed earlier on 109-3 but managed to add just 48 runs.
Warrican’s nagging line and length earned him match figures of 10-101, his first 10-wicket match haul.
He dismissed overnight batter Saud Shakeel for two with the first ball of the day and then had Mohammad Rizwan for the same score in his next over.
Warrican continued the demolition act with the wickets of Kamran Ghulam (27), Noman (nine) and Sajid (five).
The second match starts on January 25, also in Multan.
Pakistan livestock exhibition in Karachi draws over 1.2 million visitors in two days
- Three-day expo showcases 2,000 animals, over 1,000 birds, numerous reptiles, falcons and pets
- Sindh livestock official says event’s main purpose is to connect breeders, investors and farmers
KARACHI: Pakistan’s largest livestock exhibition featuring thousands of animals in the southern port city of Karachi has drawn more than 1.2 million visitors in the past two days, as per an official, with the three-day event set to conclude today, Sunday.
The exhibition has been organized by the Sindh government at the city’s Expo Center. It showcases a diverse range of livestock which includes over 2,000 animals, 1,000 birds and numerous reptiles, falcons and domestic pets.
Dr. Nazeer Hussain Kalhoro, director-general of the Sindh Livestock Department, told Arab News on Saturday that the main purpose of the event was to ensure collaboration among breeders, investors and farmers.
“The motto of this Sindh livestock expo is to connect, collaborate and thrive,” Kalhoro said.
“So, we are connecting people, and then we are signing MoUs to collaborate with each other. And then finally, there will be the development when we will thrive together.”
The official said that this was set to be the “largest Pakistan expo ever we have seen,” adding that the exhibition had been visited by 0.6 million people daily since it began on Friday.
He said the numbers were expected to increase on the last day, which was a Sunday.
Shakir Umar Gujar, president of the Dairy & Cattle Farmers Association, said it is essential to showcase Pakistan’s livestock globally through such exhibitions.
“At the same time, these expos help farmers learn and adopt measures to enhance their production,” he said.
“Livestock is a crucial component of the national economy, and such exhibitions are beneficial for farmers.”
Syed Nazeer Hussain, 45, was happy his children got to learn about the various animals in the country through the expo.
“They’ll get to see and learn about our culture, the various breeds of animals we have in Pakistan, and gain awareness while being entertained,” he told Arab News.
Dr. Kalhoro pointed out that climate change, combined with issues such as water scarcity and outdated farming technologies, has drastically altered Pakistan’s agricultural landscape. This added to the livestock sector’s importance.
“When we got independence in 1947, the contribution of the crop sector was about 68 percent, and the livestock sector was only 32 percent,” he said.
“Now this has been reversed because of climate change, because of the unavailability of the water, different technologies, and the seed problem.”
This shift, he noted, is directly tied to climate variability, which has led to poor crop yields, rising costs, and an overall decline in traditional farming practices.
Livestock, on the other hand, was thriving and the provincial government was trying to use it to generate capital for the country.
“Pakistan is having 225 million herds of livestock farmed livestock,” Dr. Kalhoro said. “It means that we are now harboring the third largest herd of milk-based or meat-based animals in the world,” he said.
Muhammad Mikael Abbas, a student of grade five, was quite enthralled with the exhibition’s offering.
“I saw cows, goats, sheep, dogs, parrots, and birds of all breeds,” Abbas said. “It was really enjoyable, and we’re still exploring to see what else might be here.
“We’ll check everything out.”
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.
