GWADAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Naya Pakistan Housing program — his government’s flagship project — in Quetta on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, he said he was happy that the scheme would also have housing units for the poor fishermen of province.
The federal government will build 135,000 housing units in the first phase of the mega five-million housing program: 25,000 of these apartments will be constructed in Islamabad for federal government employees while 110,000 apartments will be built in Balochistan for the fishermen of Gwadar.
“I am happy that we are making most of the houses for these poor fishermen,” Khan said while addressing the inauguration ceremony.
“It has become difficult for salaried individuals to build houses today,” he continued. “Keeping that in mind, we have launched this program.”
Bringing Chief Minister Jam Kamal’s attention to the sprawling Quetta city, the prime minister stressed the need for a master plan for Balochistan’s capital to keep it from expanding further.
Describing the state of Madinah as his governance benchmark, Khan said that his government would spend more on Balochistan and focus its attention on the underdeveloped parts of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces since they lagged behind the rest of the country.
Discussing the overall economic situation of Pakistan, he said that the country spent nearly half of the collected tax amount on repaying its loans.
“Out of the Rs4500 billion of taxes that we collect annually, Rs2000 billion are consumed on our loan installments,” he said, noting that he was hopeful the situation would gradually improve since foreign investment was now coming to the country.
“China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing [in Pakistan]. We are also expecting investment from Malaysia and are negotiating with Turkey,” he added.
Earlier, the prime minister was received at the airport by Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal and Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai.
During his brief visit to the city, he also met with the bereaved family members of those who lost their lives in the Hazarganji market terrorist attack on April 12.
PM inaugurates new housing scheme for Gwadar fishermen
PM inaugurates new housing scheme for Gwadar fishermen
- Around 110,000 housing units will be built in Balochistan for the fishermen
- He also met with the bereaved families of Hazarganji market attack victims
Pakistani Naila Kiani summits India’s highest Kanchenjunga peak, poses with national flag
- Naila Kiani reached the summit of Kanchenjunga at 6:30am local time, becoming Pakistan’s leading female mountaineer with 12 ‘eight-thousanders’ to her name
- The Dubai-based Pakistani climber stands on the threshold of joining a global elite of only 17 women who have conquered all 14 peaks above 8,000-meter height
ISLAMABAD: Dubai-based Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani has scaled 8,586-meter-high Kanchenjunga, the tallest peak in India, her organizer said on Friday, as the climber posed with a Pakistani flag at the summit.
Kiani has become the first Pakistani woman to scale 12 of the world’s 14 peaks above the height of 8,000 meters, according to Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), which arranges various expeditions.
Kiani, who stands on the threshold of joining a global elite of only 17 women who have conquered all 14 eight-thousanders, reached the Kanchenjunga summit early Friday, the Imagine Nepal expedition organizer said.
“At around 7:00 AM NPT [Nepal time], our incredible team of 10 climbers successfully summited Kanchenjunga (8,586m) — the world’s third-highest mountain,” Imagine Nepal said on Facebook.
“Naila Kiani reached the summit of Kanchenjunga at 6:30am local time, becoming Pakistan’s leading female mountaineer with 12 eight-thousanders to her name,” Alpine Club of Pakistan quoted Dawa Futi Sherpa, operations director at Imagine Nepal, as saying.
The Pakistani club said this was a “monumental milestone” in the history of Pakistani mountaineering and a moment of immense national pride.
“From the towering heights of Everest and K2 to the perilous slopes of Annapurna and Lhotse, her journey tells a powerful story of grit, resilience and an unshakable will,” the ACP said.
“This is not just a personal achievement— it is a symbol of empowerment for women in sports, a beacon of hope and inspiration for Pakistan, and a proud moment for every mountaineering enthusiast.”
Kiani has previously summited Mount Makalu (8,485m), Broad Peak (8,047 meters), Annapurna (8,091 meters), K2 (8,611 meters), Lhotse (8,516 meters), Gasherbrum 1 (8,068 meters), Gasherbrum II (8,035 meters), Nanga Parbat (8,125 meters), Mount Everest (8,849 meters), Manaslu (8,156 meters) and Cho Oyu (8,201 meters) mountains.
Pakistani, Saudi FMs review regional situation, resolve to strengthen bilateral ties
- The development comes amid gradually de-escalating tensions in South Asia after India and Pakistan traded cross-border strikes this month
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen their cooperation in all fields, the Pakistani foreign office says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Friday resolved to strengthen bilateral relations between both nations as they discussed the regional situation, the Pakistani foreign office said.
The development comes amid gradually de-escalating tensions in South Asia after India and Pakistan traded missile, drone and artillery strikes this month, killing around 70 people including civilians on both sides.
The situation had alarmed world powers and friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia, and prompted rigorous diplomatic efforts that realized into a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed archfoes on May 10.
At the peak of the four-day conflict, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir had also visited Pakistan, which followed his surprise stop in New Delhi for talks with Indian officials.
“Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
“The leaders reviewed aspects of the deep and brotherly relations between the two countries, reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields, and discussed current regional developments.”
India struck Pakistan on May 7, accusing Islamabad of backing an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people on April 22. Islamabad denies the charge.
Pakistan and India have fought multiple wars, including two of them over the disputed region of Kashmir, since their independence from British rule in 1947. Both rule the region in part but claim it in full.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share close diplomatic and strategic relations. The Kingdom has extended significant support to Pakistan during prolonged economic challenges faced by Islamabad in recent years, including external financing and assistance with International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programs.
Saudi Arabia has also contributed to global peacemaking efforts by hosting talks and mediating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
Pakistan PM says saddened by loss of lives in China landslides
- At least four people were killed and 17 others have been missing since landslides hit a rural area in China’s Guizhou province
- PM Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people and government of China, prays for recovery of the missing
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of lives in multiple landslides in China, expressing solidarity with Beijing.
At least four people were killed and 17 others were still missing in the debris after landslides hit a rural area in China’s southwestern Guizhou province, according to Chinese state media.
Two bodies were found in Changshi township on Thursday, and two others in the nearby Qingyang village, where a landslide had buried 19 people from eight households in wee hours of Thursday.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives due to landslides in Guizhou, China. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” Sharif said in a post on X.
Most of Guowa township, where Qingyang is located, had lost power after the landslides, a local newspaper reported. A resident told state media that it had rained all night.
A drone video of the area showed a large swathe of brown earth that cut through the green slope of the hilly terrain.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people and government of China during this difficult time and pray for the safe recovery of the missing,” Sharif added.
China and Pakistan are key strategic and economic allies.
Since 2013, Beijing has also invested tens of billions of dollars in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major segment of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.
The corridor will connect China to the Arabian Sea and help Pakistan expand and modernize its economy through a network of roads, railways, pipelines and ports built in the country with Chinese loans. A flagship of the Chinese corridor is a deep-sea port at Gwadar in Balochistan.
Beijing has also repeatedly rolled over sovereign loans to Pakistan in order to help Islamabad meet its external financing needs, whenever its foreign reserves have been critically low.
Pakistan’s leading fashion designer Amir Adnan expresses interest in expanding to Arab world
- The Pakistani designer is widely credited with defining his country’s formalwear for over three decades
- He admires the richness of Arab culture, their keen eye for detail and deep reverence for tradition
KARACHI: Pakistan’s leading fashion designer, Amir Adnan, says he is eager to open stores and manufacturing facilities in the Arab world, praising Saudi Arabia’s evolving openness and deep cultural sophistication.
In an interview with Arab News this week, he hailed the Arab world’s appreciation for tradition and detail and expressed a desire to re-enter the Middle East market with a more immersive presence.
Adnan shared his observations about the Middle East at a time when Saudi Arabia is undergoing a cultural transformation under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030.
The initiative has opened the Kingdom to global music acts, fashion events, cinema and high-profile platforms like Riyadh Season and the Red Sea International Film Festival, as part of efforts to position it as a regional hub for arts and tourism.
“The Arab world is brilliant, and I’m so happy that it is opening up,” the Pakistani designer, who has previously operated stores in Dubai, said. “Given the opportunity, I would love to go and open up stores over there and have a whole setup over there. We would love to have an office.”
Born in Lahore to a bureaucrat father and a mother from Dhaka’s royal Nawab family, Adnan launched his eponymous brand in 1990 and is credited with modernizing the traditional sherwani. His designs have shaped Pakistani formalwear for more than three decades.
Reflecting on his experience of doing business in the United Arab Emirates, he said Arabs had a distinct appreciation for craftsmanship.
“They appreciated every stitch, every cut, every patch, every fabric, every color combination... they’re very keen observers.”
He also appreciated the historical and intellectual legacy of the Arab world.
“They introduced medicine. They had the first hospital. They gave us algebra, calculus [and] astronomy. So, where did that come from? It’s their sophistication.”
The Pakistani designer, who studied at Karachi’s Institute of Business Administration, said that despite globalization, Arabs remain deeply rooted in their culture.
“If they had given away their culture and, you know, become totally somebody else, I would not feel so good about them. But I love the Arab people because they hold on and they respect their culture.”
Adnan said the fusion of Pakistani craftsmanship with Arab tastes could lead to meaningful collaborations, ranging from fashion to social development.
“They love our fabrics. They love our stitches. They love our handicraft. All we need to do is just convert our garments to blend into their culture,” he said. “I would go there and mix my ability to suit their requirements.”
Beyond commerce, he also envisions joint creative workshops and cultural exchanges.
“We would like to work with their artisans, learn their skills and teach them ours,” he said.
The Pakistani designer believes that fashion should be seen beyond economics.
“Besides just the work and the economics of it, it is also liberation of mind,” he said. “In fact, we’ll be able to incorporate a lot of their craft and their skills into our mainstream work.”
Looking ahead, Adnan said he hopes to establish a full-fledged base in the Kingdom.
“Hopefully, one day, we’d be able to do that — set up an office over there and a whole workshop over there and even start manufacturing there… and take care of all the Arab world.”
Modi remarks on damaging Pakistani water, economy and army against ‘responsible statecraft’ — FO
- India last month said it was suspending the Indus Waters Treaty in a slew of measures over an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir
- Islamabad maintains the treaty, which guarantees water for 80 percent of Pakistani farms, is legally binding and no party can unilaterally suspend it
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani foreign office (FO) on Friday criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on denying water to Pakistan from rivers flowing through India as well as economic and military consequences for Islamabad, saying they violated “the norms of responsible statecraft.”
Modi said on Thursday Pakistan will not get water from rivers over which India has rights, and that Pakistan’s army and economy will have to “pay a heavy price for every terrorist attack,” upping the rhetoric in a standoff over water access.
India last month said it was suspending the Indus Waters Treaty in a slew of measures after the killing of 26 people in an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad, a charge Pakistan dismisses.
In its response to Modi’s comments at an event in Rajasthan, the Pakistani foreign office said such statements not only reflect a “deliberate attempt to mislead the public but also violate the norms of responsible statecraft.”
“Resorting to threats and boasting about military action against a sovereign nation is a grave breach of the United Nations Charter and established principles of international law,” it said.
“This dangerous approach undermines regional peace and stability.”
Any move to stop Pakistan accessing the water would have a devastating impact. The Indus treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, guarantees water for 80 percent of Pakistan’s farms from three rivers that flow from India. The nuclear-armed neighbors have already clashed in their worst military fighting in nearly three decades before agreeing to a ceasefire on May 10.
Islamabad maintains the treaty is legally binding and no party can unilaterally suspend it, with its Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan saying that Pakistan is willing to talk about or to address any concerns India may have.
The foreign office said Pakistan remains a consistent and proactive partner in the global fight against militancy and any insinuation seeking to associate Pakistan with “acts of terrorism is factually incorrect and patently misleading.”
“It is a tactic often employed to divert attention from India’s own internal challenges, particularly its repressive policies [in Kashmir],” it said on Friday.
India and Pakistan share a troubled relationship since they got independence from British rule in 1947, and have fought three wars, two of them over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part.
India accuses Pakistan of backing armed separatists in Kashmir. Pakistan denies this and says it only offers diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris.
Pakistan’s prime minister and military have also accused “Indian terror proxies” of involvement in a suicide bomb blast on an army school bus in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province that killed five people, including three children, on Wednesday. India rejected the allegation.
Both nations have retaliated since the April attack by halting trade, closing borders and suspending most visas.
The Pakistani foreign office urged the Indian leadership to exercise restraint, saying such escalatory statements only exacerbate tensions.
“India should demonstrate maturity by resolving outstanding disputes through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy,” it said.
“Pakistan remains firmly committed to peaceful coexistence, regional stability, and constructive engagement. However, our desire for peace should not be misconstrued as weakness... Any misadventure or aggression will be met with a resolute and proportionate response. Pakistan has demonstrated its resolve in the past and will do so again, if required.”
