ISLAMABAD: The night of the crescent or Chaand Raat is one the most exciting evenings celebrated in Pakistan, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan and heralding the arrival of Eid al-Fitr.
Nationwide holidays are announced days before a special government-appointed moonsighting body gets a glimpse of the Shawwal crescent, declaring the next three days as Eid holiday.
The country’s ailing economy and rising fuel prices have, however, limited the buying power of most Pakistanis this year, making the shopping activity more expensive due to the income and cost disparity.
Arab News visited many shopping districts in Islamabad and witnessed the resilience of Pakistanis who were still determined to enjoy and celebrate the spirit of Eid despite their economic despair.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will announce its new electric vehicles policy by the end of November, Industries and Production Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain said on Wednesday, as Islamabad eyes eco-friendly transportation to cut down on costly fuel imports and pollution.
Pakistan’s urban areas exhibit some of the world’s highest levels of air pollution, primarily due to sub-2.5 μm particulate emissions. This issue significantly impairs both the country’s economy as it imports most of its energy needs, and the quality of life of its residents. Road transport is a significant contributor to air pollution as around 23 percent of Pakistan’s greenhouse gas emissions originate from vehicles.
Pakistan approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 with the goal that electric vehicles would comprise 30 percent of all passenger vehicles and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030. It has set an even more ambitious target of electric vehicles comprising 90 percent of all vehicle sales by 2040.
“He [Hussain] said the government would launch the second electric vehicle policy by November 30 to promote eco-friendly transportation,” the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
The minister was speaking to reporters in Islamabad while attending an exhibition of electric bike models. He highlighted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had allocated around $14.29 million (Rs4 billion) to support his vision of introducing electric vehicles in the country to reduce fuel dependency and decrease carbon emissions.
Hussain said electric three-wheelers manufactured in Pakistan were also being exported to other countries, adding that the government was willing to provide subsidies on electric two-wheelers. The minister also announced the government’s initiative to distribute 100 e-bikes free of cost among high-achieving students.
Hussain said the government planned to transform the transportation landscape by setting up 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030.
“This shift toward eco-friendly transportation is expected to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s environment and economy,” he said. “With the government’s support and private sector investment, the country is poised for a greener future.”
In August, Warren Buffett-backed Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD announced its entry into the country, saying that up to 50 percent of all vehicles bought in Pakistan by 2030 will be electrified in some form in line with global targets.
Investment company ADM Group also announced in August it would invest up to $250 million for the manufacturing of electric vehicles in Pakistan in a move that will boost technological advancements in the country’s automobile industry and curtail pollution.
ISLAMABAD: In what would be a rare sight, prominent Pakistani and Indian cricketers could play for the same Asia XI squad, with efforts underway to revive the Afro-Asia Cup after almost two decades, the Africa Cricket Association (ACA) said recently.
The Afro-Asia Cup is a series of 50-over white-ball matches that have been played in the past between Asian XI and African XI teams. The tournament was only played twice, in 2005 in South Africa and in 2007 in India. A third edition scheduled for 2009 in Kenya never took place.
Political tensions between India and Pakistan mean that the two countries have played only one white-ball bilateral series since 2012-13. The two countries only play against each other at neutral venues and at International Cricket Council (ICC) events. Pakistan traveled to India last year for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup but India has not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.
The Africa Cricket Association (ACA) held its annual general meeting on Saturday during which it decided to reach out to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and explore cross-continental opportunities such as the Afro-Asia Cup.
“The Afro-Asia Cup, apart from the cricket, brings the much-needed financial input to the organization, and the appetite is huge from both ends,” Tavengwa Mukuhlani, interim chair of the ACA, who is also the Zimbabwe Cricket chair, said at a press conference on Saturday.
“We have had conversations with our counterparts within the Asia Cricket Council, and obviously our African contingents, they want the Afro-Asia Cup to be revived.”
Cricket website ESPNcricinfo reported on Tuesday that no formal request has been made to the ACC, neither did any discussion around reviving the Afro-Asia Cup took place at the body’s recent meeting in Malaysia.
In 2005, the Asia XI squad was captained by Pakistani batting icon Inzamam-ul-Haq and included Indian legends Rahul Dravid, Ashish Nehra and Anil Kumble.
The 2007 Asia squad comprised Indian cricketers M.S. Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, HarbHajjan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistani cricketers Mohammed Asif, Mohammed Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar.
ISLAMABAD: International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Pakistan Mission Chief Nathan Porter will travel to the South Asian country from Nov. 11-15 to discuss Islamabad’s performance regarding the $7 billion bailout program approved in September, an official with direct knowledge of the development said on Wednesday.
In July, the IMF reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies with Pakistan for a 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) of about $7 billion. In September, the Fund’s executive board approved the 25th loan program that Pakistan has obtained since 1958.
Islamabad was able to secure the loan, critical to keeping its $350 billion fragile economy afloat, after taking painful measures such as hiking fuel and food prices, and implementing reforms to broaden the country’s tax base and privatize state-owned entities.
“IMF staff, led by Mr. Nathan Porter, will travel to Pakistan between November 11-15 for a staff visit to discuss recent developments and program performance to date,” the official said.
“This mission is not part of the first review under the EFF, which will be no earlier than the first quarter of 2025.”
Since it secured the bailout package, Pakistan’s government has said it has been able to increase its foreign exchange reserves and moved toward economic stability.
The country’s stock market has also seen a bullish trend in recent weeks that the government and analysts have attributed to Pakistan’s improving macroeconomic conditions, among other factors.
Inflation in the South Asian country has dropped from a record 38% in May 2023 to 7.2% in October 2024, which the government says dropped due to its prudent fiscal policies.
PESHAWAR: A young Pakistani artist based in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has captivated social media with his unusual canvas: plant leaves.
From a small corner in Peshawar city’s bustling Storytellers’ Market, popularly known as Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Kamran Khan carves intricate portraits on delicate leaves, blending tradition with artistry and earning a growing online fan base.
Originally from Bajaur in Pakistan’s tribal belt, the 19-year-old artist moved to Peshawar for his education and livelihood and is now a third-semester political science student at the city’s historic Islamia College. While he has to balance his studies and a small family business he helps run, he also finds moments in between to pursue his passion.
“I have been doing art and drawing since childhood, but then I thought of taking it in a new direction to make it more unique,” he told Arab News in an interview this week. “I started practicing leaf art. I watched a video from where I decided to adopt the idea since it felt different.”
Pakistani artist Kamran Khan speaks during an interview with Arab News in Peshawar on October 31, 2024. (AN Photo)
Khan specializes in leaf carving, carefully etching designs and images into the surface of leaves, often using blades to create detailed scenes and portraits. The process requires a firm hand, patience and precision to avoid damaging the delicate structure of the leaf. He also uses a special kind of leaf that is dried for two days before it is ready to be used.
The artist has made hundreds of portraits and designs, including images of politicians, artists, tribal elders, celebrities and world leaders.
Carving the logo of Arab News, he said, “I have sketched many leaders. I made the sketch of [Saudi Crown Prince] Mohammed bin Salman and uploaded its video on TikTok.”
This photo, taken on October 31, 2024, shows Pakistani artist Kamran Khan’s artwork featuring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during an interview with Arab News in Peshawar. (AN Photo)
Social media had played a “huge role” in expanding his outreach, Khan said.
“I take orders [to create art] using social media platforms, from TikTok, Instagram and Facebook,” he said. “International orders also come in, often requesting videos only. Orders are also placed for leaf art in physical frames, and we can adjust to both.”
Khan’s dedication was rewarded when a piece featuring Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a Pakistani politician who became the chief minister of Punjab after the last general elections, caught her attention.
In this photo, taken and released by Punjab Chief Minister office on October 9, 2024, shows Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz receives artwork, featuring her portrait, created by Kamran Khan in Lahore. (Photo courtesy: Facebook/Maryam Nawaz)
“I made a video of Maryam Nawaz’s sketch, and then she picked up my [work] from the social media platform and invited me over,” he added. “When we reached the CM House in Lahore to meet her, she appreciated [my work] and gave me a cash prize.”
Sharing his future plans, he said that he wanted to represent Pakistan on the world stage.
“I strive to promote our province and culture through this art,” he said, “and would love to represent my country Pakistan as well.”
Record-high pollution sickens thousands in Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore
Authorities warn a complete lockdown could be imminent if smog-related guidelines are ignored
Lahore remained world’s most polluted city Wednesday morning as air quality index rose to over 1,100
Updated 42 min 23 sec ago
AP
LAHORE: Record-high air pollution in Pakistan’s cultural capital of Lahore is sending more people to hospitals and private clinics, doctors said Wednesday as authorities warned a complete lockdown could be imminent if residents fail to don face masks and follow other guidance related to smog.
The warning came after residents out on the streets in Lahore, which has a population of 14 million, were seen overwhelmingly without masks. Doctors say most people are complaining of either having a cough or that they feel their eyes are burning.
“Tens of thousands of patients suffering from respiratory diseases were treated at hospitals and clinics in a week,” said Salman Kazmi, vice president of the Pakistan Medical Association.
You can see people coughing whenever you go, but they still hardly wear face masks, he said.
Lahore remained the world’s most polluted city Wednesday morning, with air quality index hitting a record high of over 1,100. Anything over 300 is considered hazardous to health.
A toxic smog has shrouded the city since last month.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in the Punjab province asked people to wear face masks to avoid a complete lockdown in the city. Lahore is the provincial capital.
Authorities in the city have already banned barbecuing food without filters, as well as the use of motorized rickshaws — and wedding halls must close by 10 p.m.
The government said it was also looking into methods to induce artificial rainfall to combat the pollution.
