PESHAWAR: Last week, Qadeer Gilani took his 72-year-old mother on the adventure of a lifetime: a motorcycle ride across the rugged, impregnable mountains of Pakistan’s northwestern tribal districts.
In 2017, Qubra Bibi and her son were at their home in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore watching a documentary on the magnificent Lake Saif ul Malook, when enthralled by the remote, snowbound Kaghan Valley, Bibi told her son she wished she could travel there.
Gilani, a 36-year-old manager at an event planning company, didn’t own a car. He asked Bibi if she would be comfortable going on a motorbike. When she said yes, he borrowed a bike from a friend and therein started a journey that has led the duo all over Pakistan’s northern areas in the past two years: over the valleys of Swat, Kalam and Kumrat to the mountains of Chitral, Shandoor, Gilgit and Hunza, across the Deosai plains, and all the way to Khunjerab Pass on the southwest border of China.
This year, the twosome decided to try something even more adventurous: visit Pakistan’s tribal areas, for long the ground zero for US drone strikes and Pakistani military operations to flush out entrenched militant groups. They picked South and North Waziristan for a trip last week because Gilani said he had many friends there. The visit has left both mother and son blown away by the scenic beauty of the area as well as the love and hospitality of its people.
The duo left on May 1 for Tank, an impoverished district on the edge with South Waziristan tribal district, where they arrived early in the morning two days later and had a light breakfast.
From Tank, they drove onwards to Gomal Zam Dam in Waziristan where they stayed for the day, returning to Tank to spend the night there. The next day they visited the Makeen, Kaniguram, Laddha and Baddar valleys of South Waziristan.
Though Gilani said there were few proper hotels to stay at in any of the spots they visited, everyone they met treated them as “if we were their personal guests.”
From Makeen, they drove to Razmak, a scenic valley in North Waziristan district, where the prestigious Razmak Cadet College is located.
A tight schedule did not afford mother and son a proper stopover in North Waziristan but they said they visited Miran Shah, the headquarters of North Waziristan, Mir Ali, another main town, and then arrived at Bannu, the gateway to North Waziristan.
The mother and son are now in the country’s pristine northern areas and plan to head back home to Lahore by the end of Ramadan.
“I have great affection and love for Waziristan and its people,” Gilani told Arab News via telephone from South Waziristan on Tuesday. “I have toured almost all of Pakistan but South Waziristan is extremely rich culturally and its hospitality is matchless. Wherever we visited, Waziristanis used to call my mother ‘mother’ and invited her into their homes.”
“My mother was stunned by the beauty of the Baddar, Laddha and Makin valleys in South Waziristan,” he said. “The most memorable thing I will take back from here is the beauty of their culture, land and their hospitality. I love South Waziristan to the extent that I would prefer to spend the last years of my life here,” he added.
Gilani said the area had massive tourism potential, if tapped.
As security has improved across Pakistan in recent years, cricketer-turned-prime-minister Imran Khan is keen to promote the nation’s tourism potential, with the government saying it is working to ease visa restrictions for many foreign visitors.
Pakistan was last a prominent tourist destination in the 1970s when the “hippie trail” brought Western travelers through the apricot and walnut orchards of the Swat Valley and Kashmir on their way to India and Nepal.
Since then, deteriorating security and the imposition of a harsh interpretation of Islamic laws has chipped away at the number of visitors.
But security has since improved dramatically in recent years, with militant attacks down sharply in the mainly Muslim country of 208 million people.
The state Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation said last year tourist arrivals rose to 1.75 million in 2017, media reported.
“I took this excursion for that very reason: to wash out the impression that Waziristan is an insecure place,” Gilani said. “Secondly we have to set a precedent for other tourists to come and enjoy the unexplored beauty of this region.”
Mother-son duo explore Pakistan’s tribal areas on the back of a motorbike
Mother-son duo explore Pakistan’s tribal areas on the back of a motorbike
- Qadeer Gilani and his 71-year-old mother have traveled across the northern areas since 2017
- Last week, they visited South and North Waziristan, long racked by US drones and military operations
Pakistan’s foreign minister meets Saudi, Kuwaiti and Kazakh counterparts on OIC sidelines
- Ishaq Dar and Prince Faisal bin Farhan discuss avenues to strengthen ‘strategic cooperation across all sectors’
- Dar also focuses on enhanced trade and investment in talks with the Kuwaiti and Kazakh foreign ministers
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday met his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Istanbul to discuss bilateral ties and strategic cooperation, as he held a series of diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers.
The talks came as the escalating crisis in the Middle East, particularly Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and its recent strikes inside Iran, dominated the agenda of the high-level summit, drawing sharp rebukes from several Muslim countries including Pakistan.
“Delighted to meet my brother, HH Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on the sidelines of the 51st OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul,” Dar said in a social media post. “We reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between our two countries & explored avenues to further strengthen our strategic cooperation across all sectors.”
https://x.com/mishaqdar50/status/1936410048219001309?s=46&t=x28vcP-XUuQ0CWAu-biScA
The meeting underscored Pakistan’s close relations with Saudi Arabia, which has extended critical financial support to help Islamabad navigate a prolonged economic crisis in recent years. The Kingdom played a key role in unlocking a crucial loan program from the International Monetary Fund and remains Pakistan’s largest source of worker remittances, a major pillar of the country’s economy.
Dar also met Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya to discuss expanding trade and investment ties, amid Pakistan’s efforts to attract Gulf investment and secure more employment opportunities for its workers in the region.
“Met my dear brother Abdullah Al-Yahya, Foreign Minister of Kuwait, on the sidelines of the 51st OIC CFM in Istanbul,” he said. “We discussed Pak–Kuwait bilateral ties, trade & investment, cooperation within OIC, and regional & international developments of mutual concern. Grateful for Kuwait’s steadfast support, especially amidst recent escalations [with India].”
https://x.com/mishaqdar50/status/1936411452463570991?s=46&t=x28vcP-XUuQ0CWAu-biScA
Dar also held a meeting with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu to reaffirm strong bilateral ties and explore opportunities for regional connectivity.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, investment and infrastructure, with Dar welcoming a planned high-level visit from Kazakhstan to Pakistan in October 2025 to strengthen the partnership further.
Islamabad has repeatedly highlighted the importance of ties with Central Asian states, offering its southern ports as a gateway for the landlocked region to access international markets through sea trade.
New Zealand beat Pakistan 6-2 to clinch FIH Hockey Nations Cup trophy
- Kiwis stunned Pakistan with five goals in first half of one-sided FIH Hockey Nations Cup final
- New Zealand promoted to prestigious FIH Pro League after winning second consecutive trophy
ISLAMABAD: New Zealand ended Pakistan’s bid to clinch the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup title on Saturday, winning the trophy a second consecutive time in Kuala Lumpur after beating the green shirts 6-2.
It was a one-sided contest right from the beginning, with the Kiwis stunning Pakistan with five goals in the high-octane first half at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium.
Despite a fightback by Pakistan in the second half of the match, which saw the green shirts score two goals, New Zealand managed to score another and add 6-2 to the final tally.
“New Zealand’s triumph not only earned them the championship but also promotion to the prestigious FIH Pro League, reaffirming their growing stature in international hockey,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) wrote.
New Zealand signaled intent from the outset, with two early goals disallowed but persistent pressure finally paying off when Scott Cosslett converted a penalty corner. Jonty Elmes then set up Sam Hiha to double the lead, followed by goals from Dylan Thomas and Sean Findlay — the latter finishing from a difficult angle after receiving a precise aerial pass.
Before the halftime whistle, Scott Boyde capitalized on a rebound from the Pakistani goalkeeper to make it 5-0, giving New Zealand an unassailable lead.
Pakistan’s Moin Shakeel responded with a 33-minute goal, briefly shifting the momentum.
“Cosslett netted his second goal of the match via a penalty corner in the closing minutes, while Sufyan Khan grabbed a consolation for Pakistan to end the match 6-2,” APP reported.
France, which lost to Pakistan in the semifinal earlier this week, claimed the bronze medal by defeating South Korea in a shootout, while Wales beat hosts Malaysia for fifth place.
Japan finished seventh with a win over former champions South Africa.
The FIH Men’s Nations Cup was being played in Kuala Lumpur from June 15 to 21 that brought together eight top-ranked teams competing with each other.
Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport.
The national team boasts a proud legacy with three Olympic gold medals in 1960, 1968 and 1984 along with four World Cup titles in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994.
Hockey in Pakistan has faced a sharp decline in recent decades due to administrative challenges, underinvestment and inadequate infrastructure.
Renewed efforts are underway to revive the game with increased government support, youth development initiatives and greater international engagement aimed at restoring Pakistan’s former glory in the sport.
Pakistan tells OIC conference Israeli military actions driving Middle East instability
- Ishaq Dar tells Istanbul conference Israeli strike on Iran ‘not an isolated event,’ reflects ‘continued impunity’
- He calls on the OIC to play its role in shaping a more just and stable global order for the Muslim world
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday voiced alarm over escalating tensions in the Middle East, blaming Israel’s military actions in Gaza and recent strikes in Iran for deepening instability and humanitarian crisis in the region.
Addressing the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated his country’s condemnation of Israel’s attack on Iran.
The high-level conference comes at a moment of crisis for several OIC member states. Two of the bloc’s key countries — Pakistan and Iran — have recently experienced military escalations with regional rivals.
While Pakistan’s brief but intense standoff with India ended in a ceasefire last month, Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, launched more than a week ago, have shown no signs of de-escalation.
“Israeli aggression against Iran is not an isolated event,” Dar said in his address to the forum. “It is part of a dangerous and consistent pattern of militarism that Israel has demonstrated across the Middle East.”
“Pakistan remains deeply concerned at the escalating tensions, deepening instability and humanitarian crises across the Middle East,” he added. “What underpins many of these situations is the continued impunity with which Israel is undermining peace and stability of the broader region.”
The Pakistani deputy PM condemned Israel’s “unprovoked aggression” against Iran as a violation of international law and the UN Charter, warning that such actions posed a grave threat to both regional and global peace.
“We can all feel the reverberations of this instability,” he said.
Turning to Gaza, Dar said Israel was waging a “genocidal campaign” against Palestinians, pointing out that over 55,000 people, mostly women and children, had been killed since the start of the conflict in October 2023.
He noted Israel was deliberately blocking life-saving humanitarian aid and targeting relief workers, leaving millions displaced and entire neighborhoods in ruins.
Calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, Dar said that lasting peace in the region was impossible without a viable, sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.
He also referenced last month’s military standoff between Pakistan and India, telling the conference participants that Pakistan had shot down six Indian fighter jets in the confrontation.
He said that his country was committed to regional stability and warned that India’s unilateral actions — including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — were further escalating tensions.
“Pakistan will not allow India to stop water for our people,” he said. “It will be treated as an act of war.”
Dar also urged the OIC to assert itself as a collective voice for the Muslim world.
“The OIC has a crucial role to play in streamlining the rapidly evolving and deteriorating global order to the benefit of the Muslim world,” he added.
Pakistan highlights India’s ‘brazen disregard’ for international law over Indus treaty stance
- Pakistan says India’s treaty suspension shows it cannot be trusted to honor legal obligations
- The statement follows Indian home minister’s threat to divert river waters, ‘starve’ Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday accused India of showing a “brazen disregard” for international agreements after New Delhi said it would not restore the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty and divert river waters for internal use.
India put into “abeyance” its participation in the 1960 treaty, which governs the distribution of the Indus river system between the two countries, after 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir were killed in an April gun attack.
India blamed Pakistan for the incident, though it denied any involvement. The accord remains dormant since then despite a ceasefire agreed upon by the two nuclear-armed neighbors last month following their worst fighting in decades.
Islamabad’s statement over the issue came after Indian Home Minister Amit Shah gave an interview to the media, saying New Delhi would not reinstate the treaty that guarantees water access for 80 percent of Pakistan’s farms through rivers originating in India.
“The statement reflects a brazen disregard for the sanctity of international agreements,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement. “The Indus Waters Treaty is not a political arrangement, but an international treaty with no provision for unilateral action.”
“India’s illegal announcement to hold the Treaty in abeyance constitutes a clear violation of international law, the provisions of the Treaty itself, and the fundamental principles governing inter-state relations,” he continued. “Such conduct sets a reckless and dangerous precedent — one that undermines the credibility of international agreements and raises serious questions about the reliability and trustworthiness of a state that openly refuses to fulfill its legal obligations.”
The statement further said India’s attempt to “weaponize water for political ends” was irresponsible and in violation of established norms of state behavior.
It called on India to “immediately rescind its unilateral and unlawful stance” and restore the “full and unhindered implementation” of the treaty.
“Pakistan remains firmly committed to the Treaty and will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and entitlements under it,” the spokesperson added.
Earlier in the day, the Indian minister said in his interview New Delhi would divert water by constructing a canal, and that Pakistan would be “starved” of water it had been receiving “unjustifiably.”
While Islamabad has pursued diplomatic channels to raise awareness of the issue globally, it has also warned that any Indian attempt to block river flows will be treated as “an act of war.”
With input from Reuters
Pakistan, Turkiye leaders vow diplomatic push to halt Israel’s military campaigns in Mideast
- The Middle East situation came up during a meeting between Ishaq Dar, Asim Munir and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
- Both sides stressed the urgency of halting ‘Israeli aggression’ in Gaza, ensuring unhindered humanitarian aid
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday and agreed to step up diplomatic efforts to halt Israel’s military campaigns in the Middle East, as regional tensions threaten to escalate further.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, where Muslim-majority nations are grappling with regional crises.
Two of the bloc’s key members — Pakistan and Iran — have recently faced military escalations with regional adversaries. While Pakistan’s brief but intense standoff with India last month ended in a ceasefire, Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, launched over a week ago, have shown no signs of letting up.
“The leaders [of Pakistan and Turkiye] expressed strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks in blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law, reiterated support for Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and its right to self-defense under the UN Charter, agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and urged the international community to play its part in restoring peace and stability in the region,” the Foreign Office in Islamabad said in a statement.
“Both sides emphasized the urgency of galvanizing efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza,” the statement added.
As Iran and Israel continue to trade fire, European and regional powers are racing to contain the conflict and bring Iran back to the negotiating table to resume nuclear negotiations that broke down when Israel launched its strike on Tehran and other cities.
During Saturday’s meeting, Dar underscored Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Turkiye.
The two sides reaffirmed their desire to deepen cooperation, particularly in light of Turkiye’s diplomatic support for Pakistan during last month’s flare-up with India, which saw both nuclear-armed neighbors exchange missiles, drone fire and airstrikes before tensions subsided under international pressure.
Dar also congratulated Erdoğan on receiving an award from the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum in recognition of his leadership and the successful organization of the ongoing OIC ministerial session.
