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 pledges to sustain economic gains after inflation hits six-year low
- Finance minister says economic progress made so far will serve as foundation for future successes
- Consumer Price Index in Pakistan fell to 4.9 percent this month, marking its lowest level since Apr. 2018
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday vowed to maintain the country’s economic momentum after the Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell to 4.9 percent earlier this month, marking the lowest inflation rate since April 2018.
The pledge comes as Pakistan navigates a recovery from years of severe economic challenges, including soaring inflation, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, currency depreciation and a persistent fiscal deficit.
In recent months, however, the country has witnessed a steady improvement in macroeconomic indicators, taking measures to restore investor confidence, as it undertakes structural reforms under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
“The Finance Minister expressed optimism that the progress made so far would serve as a foundation for future successes, as the government remains dedicated to building a prosperous and stable Pakistan,” the finance ministry said in a statement released after the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) meeting.
The meeting evaluated on the overall economic situation of the country and particularly mentioned the improvement in CPI.
“The current CPI figure marks the lowest in the past 78 months, signaling a positive shift in the country’s inflationary trends,” the statement added. “The decline in CPI reflects the government’s success in managing inflationary pressures and restoring price stability, particularly for essential commodities.”
Aurangzeb assured the public the government would continue its efforts to support economic stability and strengthen key sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure.
The ECC also discussed plans to pursue economic diversification and ensure better living standards for Pakistan’s population.
Saudi Arabia wants stronger parliamentary, economic ties with Pakistan, offers tech support
- Saudi Shura Council chairman meets Pakistani parliamentary leaders during his three-day visit
- Speaker Ayaz Sadiq calls for closer bilateral cooperation amid changing global environment
ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia seeks to strengthen parliamentary and economic ties with Pakistan and is keen to assist the National Assembly in the field of technology, the Kingdom’s Shura Council Chairman Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Sheikh said on Wednesday during his visit to Pakistan.
Dr. Al Sheikh is on a three-day visit to Pakistan, during which he has met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who described relations with the Kingdom as a “vital pillar” of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Both countries are longtime allies, with Islamabad seeking closer economic, defense and security ties with the Kingdom, which hosts approximately 2.5 million Pakistani expatriates and remains the largest source of remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian nation.
“Saudi Arabia aspires for a prosperous and developed Pakistan,” the Saudi official said according to an official statement circulated in Islamabad, following high-level meetings with Pakistan’s parliamentary leadership, including National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.
During his meeting with Speaker Sadiq, both officials emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral parliamentary and economic relations.
Al Sheikh expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reiterated the shared cultural, historical and religious ties between the two nations.
“The rapidly changing global environment demands closer bilateral cooperation,” Sadiq said, highlighting the significance of parliamentary exchanges and joint initiatives to further mutual interests.
Separately, the Saudi official met with Senate Chairman Gilani, where discussions focused on broadening institutional cooperation. Gilani lauded Saudi Arabia’s support for Pakistan and emphasized the importance of leveraging shared opportunities in trade, investment and defense.
“Saudi Arabia’s parliamentary delegation visit will mark a new milestone in our bilateral ties,” Gilani said, adding that both countries have always supported each other in times of need.
Al Sheikh reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to Pakistan, emphasizing the longstanding friendship between the two nations.
“Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share a deep bond of respect and mutual trust, which serves as the foundation for our robust partnership,” he said.
Gilani noted that strengthening economic collaboration and exploring investment opportunities were key to deepening ties further, while encouraging Saudi investors to actively explore ventures in Pakistan.
The meetings also covered joint efforts to promote unity among the Muslim Ummah and to enhance cooperation on global forums.
South Africa call up two uncapped fast bowlers for Pakistan Test series
- South Africa will be in next year’s World Test Championship final if they win one Test against Pakistan
- The Proteas are faced with serious depletion of bowling resources, with several injured players
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa named two uncapped fast bowlers in a 16-man squad for a two-match Test series against Pakistan starting in Centurion on December 26.
With an entire battery of fast bowlers unavailable, left-armer Kwena Maphaka and Corbin Bosch were added to the team that beat Sri Lanka in Gqeberha this month.
Maphaka is an 18-year-old prodigy who has already been capped at Twenty20 international level while Bosch, the 30-year-old son of former Test fast bowler Tertius, has yet to play for the senior national team.
South Africa included all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and left-arm spin bowler Keshav Maharaj in the squad, but both selections are subject to fitness.
Mulder suffered a broken right middle finger in the first Test against Sri Lanka while Maharaj suffered what Cricket South Africa described as “an acute groin strain” while warming up for the first one-day international against Pakistan in Paarl on Tuesday.
Maharaj was due to have a scan on Wednesday to assess the severity of the injury.
Bosch, who has a first-class batting average above 40, could come into contention if Muller is unfit, while Senuran Muthusamy, also a left-armer, is the only other spin bowler in the squad if Maharaj is ruled out.
South Africa will be assured of a place in next year’s World Test Championship final if they win at least one Test against Pakistan — but their bowling resources have been seriously depleted.
Fast bowlers Anrich Nortje, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams have all been sidelined. It will be a blow if Maharaj, South Africa’s premier spin bowler, cannot play.
“We head into this series with a clear focus, with a spot in the World Test Championship final being the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” South African coach Shukri Conrad said in a CSA statement.
Squad: Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne (wkt).
Fixtures:
December 26-30, Centurion
January 3-7, Cape Town
Pakistan receives 82,000 applications for government Hajj scheme this year
- Religious Affairs Ministry says it may reopen applications in January to fill the remaining seats
- Pakistan allowed intending pilgrims to pay Hajj fees in installments for the first time this year
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received 82,000 applications for next year’s Hajj pilgrimage under the government scheme, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs said on Wednesday, adding that more applications may be invited in early January to fill any remaining seats.
Saudi Arabia has allotted Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2025, divided equally between government and private schemes. The government extended the deadline for applications twice this month, first from Dec. 3 to Dec. 10, and then to Dec. 17, as it aimed to fill over 89,000 seats under the government scheme.
For the first time, the country’s Hajj policy, announced in November, also allowed pilgrims to pay in installments. Under the scheme, the first installment of Rs200,000 ($717) must be submitted with the application, the second installment of Rs400,000 ($1,435) will be deposited within 10 days of balloting and the remaining amount will be paid by Feb. 10 next year.
“We have received 82,000 applications and have stopped accepting further submissions to facilitate the completion of the second installment process,” Muhammad Umer Butt, the ministry spokesperson, told Arab News, referring to the payment of expenses by pilgrims.
He said the second installment could be submitted at the same banks where applications were initially deposited, between Dec. 19 and Dec. 27.
“If any seats remain unfilled, we will reopen applications for a few days in the first week of January,” he said, adding that the ministry may also allocate leftover seats to the hardship quota, currently set at 1,000.
This quota is reserved for pilgrims with special needs or circumstances and attendants for individuals with disabilities.
The spokesperson said the government scheme witnessed about 12,000 to 13,000 more applications this year compared to 2023.
In 2024, Pakistan surrendered 21,000 Hajj seats to Saudi Arabia due to a shortage of applications, but the government hopes to fill all slots this time.
“This increase is due to the positive feedback from last year’s pilgrims regarding government facilities and the introduction of the installment option,” Butt said.
He informed the Pakistani Hajj mission has initiated its operations by starting the process of hiring services and accommodations in Saudi Arabia, adding the advance preparations would help determine the exact amount for the third and final installment, due in February.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has launched the Pak Hajj 2025 mobile application to guide pilgrims, available for both Android and iPhone users. The government has also announced a reduction in airfare, with ticket prices for federal program pilgrims reduced to Rs220,000, down from last year’s Rs234,000.
Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines and private carriers have agreed to transport pilgrims next year, according to the ministry.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree on player, umpire and coach exchange to boost cricket ties
- PCB chairman assures support for the promotion of women’s cricket in the Kingdom
- He invites Saudi sports minister to Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy in February
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement to establish an exchange program for players, umpires and coaches to enhance cricket ties and talent development between the two nations, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Wednesday.
The development was announced after PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting with Saudi Deputy Minister of Sports Badr bin AbdulRehman Al-Qadi in Riyadh, during which he invited him to attend the ICC Champions Trophy and Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year.
Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, has been in the Kingdom since Sunday and has offered full cooperation for the promotion of cricket and the construction of stadiums in Saudi Arabia.
“The two leaders agreed to introduce an exchange program for players, umpires and coaches between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to foster talent development and knowledge sharing,” the PCB said in its statement.
Naqvi also assured support for the promotion of women’s cricket in the Kingdom.
“Pakistan stands ready to provide complete support for the growth of cricket in Saudi Arabia, including the promotion of women’s cricket,” he was quoted as saying during the meeting.
“With abundant talent in Pakistan and initiatives like the Pakistan Super League (PSL), we are eager to share our expertise with Saudi Arabia to help develop cricket in the Kingdom,” he added.
The Saudi deputy minister of sports thanked the PCB chairman for the invitations to the ICC Champions Trophy and the PSL while expressing enthusiasm for working closely with Pakistan to strengthen cricket ties between the two nations.
Naqvi also met Prince Saud bin Mishal Al Saud, chairman of the Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation, earlier this week.
According to the PCB, there are about 18,000 cricket players in the Kingdom, which has also won the Asian Cricket Council Challenge Cup.
