ISLAMABAD: Twenty two-year-old Karishma Ali is used to a lot of firsts.
She was the first girl from her hometown of lower Chitral to represent Pakistan in football at both the national and international levels.
She took part in the Jubilee Games in Dubai, UAE three years ago and also represented Pakistan’s women football team in the Australian Football International (AFL) Cup.
Ali is also the first from Chitral to be featured on Forbes Asia’s 30 under 30 list.
Now, she has her eyes set on realizing her dream of seeing more girls participating in sports. For this purpose, she established the Chitral Women’s Sport Club (CWSC), the region’s first.
She says it all began when she kicked her first football at the age of nine. “I didn’t properly play football, but I became a football lover back then when I was a little kid,” Ali told Arab News. “I remember watching the World Cup with my father in 2006 and fell in love with the game.”
Ali’s decision to foray into sports was supported by her family, particularly her father, who always pushed her to excel in the game.
In Pakistan, women’s participation in sports is abysmal, mostly due to cultural restraints, patriarchal and conservative attitude, and a lack of infrastructure. For her part, Ali says she factored in all these conditions before taking the leap.
“In Chitral, there was no facility and there is still no facility for girls — which is why I am working on it,” Ali told Arab News, adding that she “never had the opportunities to play football.”
“The only time I would get to play football in Chitral was when I would go on a picnic with my father or rarely with my classmates. The boys would be playing, I would come and kick, they would stare at me, laugh and bully me but I never cared — I still went for it,” she said.
And while she had the backing of her family – and the support of coaches and mentors after moving to Islamabad at the age of 13, leading to her eventual placement on the national team – Ali says that, initially at least, the community was not receptive to the idea of girls playing sports.
“A lot of people do not appreciate the inclusion of girls in sports, so for me I thought starting [this club] and making it for girls under the age of 16 would be crucial,” she said, adding that the sports club “is not just about sports or football.”
“We are trying to teach girls about their rights, we are trying to educate them about health,” she said.
Last year, the CWSC hosted a seven-day camp for 70 girls from across Chitral and surroundings villages, resulting in the first all-women football tournament in the area.
Ali’s aim is to not just encourage athleticism, competition and confidence among young girls, but to also demonstrate how the sport can empower women and be a source of pride for the country.
“Last year [starting out] was very hard, when I told people I wanted to do this in Chitral, people thought I was crazy,” she said. “People never appreciated that I was playing sports to begin with, so to want to invite others in… I was bullied and threatened.”
However, Ali found strength in her usual source – her father. “[He] said to me: ‘You have taken this step for so many girls and, now, if you give up, that means the end of sports for every other girl back home. You decide whether you can be brave and keep fighting or people will forget you. Remember, if you stand up people will remember you, people will get inspired and get their girls involved’,” she said.
And they did.
From among the 70 girls who enrolled in the club, several live in villages and would commute for three to four hours every day just to participate.
“They would not miss the training session even for a single day and would wake up at 6am to reach the ground, play sports and go back,” Ali said of the girls, teeming with pride.
This year, Ali’s camp hosted nearly 200 girls, more than doubling last year’s attendance.
For her party, Ali, who has earned herself the “Pride of Pakistan” award that recognizes tremendous contribution made by Pakistanis, wants the same for other girls, too.
“I remember when I was a kid watching the World Cup with my cousin, I’d told him I want to play for the national team, but there was no such concept of girls playing football. When I got to the national team I sank into this confidence,” she said.
“I think of the little girl back in the village and myself in the national uniform and that fills me with happiness. We have amazing people, we have girls who want to play sports and for Pakistan and I want to be a good ambassador for them,” she said.
One woman’s small step for Chitral marks a giant leap for Pakistan in football
One woman’s small step for Chitral marks a giant leap for Pakistan in football
- Karishma Ali hopes to now provide a platform for more girls to participate in sports
- Has earned several accolades for the country, including being featured in Forbes 30 under 30
Pakistan launches first locally made ventilator in bid to achieve technological self-reliance
- The AlnnoVent AVB-100 ventilator supports adult patients across five invasive and two non-invasive ventilation modes
- The ventilator was created in response to the acute shortage of respiratory aid devices during the COVID-19 pandemic
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Monday launched the country’s first locally made ventilator, Pakistani state media reported, describing it as a step toward technological self-reliance.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) last month approved the ‘AlnnoVent’ ventilator, which has been developed by the Alsons Group precision manufacturing firm in Karachi. After successfully passing clinical trials, the ventilator has been officially licensed for production.
The AlnnoVent AVB-100 is an electro-mechanical ICU ventilator that meets international standards of quality and reliability. It supports adult patients across five invasive and two non-invasive ventilation modes, making it suitable for a range of critical care scenarios. The ventilator was created in response to the acute shortage of respiratory aid devices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Iqbal praised the company for its efforts and emphasized that Pakistan needed more such innovators to succeed in a rapidly evolving world, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.
“We require an army of such individuals – people who combine skill, hard work, ambition and the intelligence that defines our nation,” the minister was quoted as saying.
The development comes as Pakistan’s government attempts to steer the country out of a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that has weakened the South Asian country’s currency and drained its foreign exchange reserves over the past few years.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has consistently emphasized the need for Islamabad to adopt an export-led economy to achieve sustainable, long-term economic growth.
Iqbal emphasized that Pakistan’s economic success depended on its ability to innovate and produce new products, which would help shift the country to a more export-driven economy.
He urged private sector leaders to leverage Pakistan’s affordable human resource to produce high-quality goods that could compete in global markets.
“You are the drivers of Pakistan’s future and the government will stand behind every private sector initiative that helps bring in exports and dollars,” the minister said.
UNICEF donates ‘mobile clinics’ to Pakistan to strengthen immunization efforts in remote regions
- The donation will help improve service delivery, address immunization gaps and reach children in underserved areas
- Official says children’s vaccination top priority of government, clinics will help overcome accessibility challenges
ISLAMABAD: The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has donated seven “mobile clinics” to Pakistan to improve immunization services in the country’s remote regions, it said on Monday.
The move follows the transfer of 23 mobile units in Nov. 2021 to the Pakistani provinces of Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as well as the Islamabad Capital Territory.
The vehicles are crucial for expanding immunization services to Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations, and the project aims to improve service delivery, address immunization gaps, and reach zero-dose children in underserved areas, according to UNICEF.
The 4x4 vehicles were handed over to Pakistani officials at a ceremony held at the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI).
“These mobile clinics will deliver essential immunization services, guaranteeing equitable access for all communities,” UNICEF said in a statement.
On the occasion, Special Health Secretary Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Mashood Ahmad termed the necessary vaccination of children top priority of the Pakistani government.
“UNICEF’s provision of 4x4 vehicles will help overcome accessibility challenges in hard-to-reach areas, ensuring quality immunization services in remote regions of KP, Balochistan, GB, and AJK,” he said.
Director-General Health Dr. Shabana Saleem stressed the importance of ensuring that vaccines reach every child, regardless of their location.
“These vehicles will strengthen our outreach capacity and help ensure that every child has equitable access to life-saving vaccines,” she said.
UNICEF’s Dr. Gunter Boussery said he was honored to contribute to this collective effort to serve Pakistan’s underserved communities.
UNICEF’s humanitarian aid to Pakistan focuses on education, health care and protection for vulnerable populations. In 2025, it seeks to support nutrition, emergency relief, refugee support, and disaster risk reduction, according to the UN agency.
Pakistan PM orders immediate steps to confiscate properties, assets of human traffickers
- The issue of human trafficking gained attention in Pakistan after last month’s boat capsize in Greece that killed five Pakistanis
- PM Shehbaz Sharif orders authorities to enhance prosecution for those involved in human trafficking, ensure strict punitive measures
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed authorities to take immediate steps to seize properties and assets of human traffickers, his office said, following the death of five Pakistani nationals in a migrant boat capsize off the southern Greek island of Gavdos last month.
The issue of illegal immigration to Europe and its consequences gained significant attention in Pakistan after last month’s incident, with the prime minister ordering “intensified efforts” against human traffickers in the country.
The boat tragedy, which occurred on Dec. 14, underscored the perilous journeys many migrants undertake due to conflicts around the world. In the case of Pakistani nationals, the movement is mostly driven by economic reasons, with many young individuals attempting to reach European shores in search of better financial prospects.
On Monday, Sharif presided over a meeting to discuss the progress of actions taken against human trafficking, legal proceedings against facilitators and legislative advancements to combat human smuggling.
“Severe legal action be taken against all human trafficking groups in the country so that they become an example for others,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office.
“Immediate legal action be taken to confiscate properties and assets of human traffickers.”
The development follows the arrest of multiple suspects involved in last month’s boat tragedy in Greece as well as another major incident in 2023, in which hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, had drowned when an overcrowded vessel traveling from Libya capsized and sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek coastal town of Pylos.
The prime minister ordered authorities to enhance prosecution for those involved in human trafficking and ensure strict punitive measures against its facilitators. He directed the Foreign Office take measures for swift extradition of Pakistanis involved in human trafficking abroad.
“The screening process at airports for individuals traveling abroad should be made more effective,” he said, asking the information and interior ministries to launch public awareness campaigns to encourage citizens to pursue only legal channels for overseas employment.
The prime minister also stressed the promotion of technical training institutes to provide certified and skilled workforce to international markets.
South Africa wrap up Test series win over Pakistan
- Forced to follow on 421 runs , Pakistan battled to 478 all out
- South Africa easily knocked off a target of 58 on the fourth day
CAPE TOWN: South Africa eased to a 10-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second Test on Monday in Cape Town to secure a 2-0 series win despite second-innings resistance from the tourists.
Forced to follow on 421 runs behind on the first innings, Pakistan battled to 478 all out but South Africa, who qualified for the World Test Championship final last week, easily knocked off a target of 58 late on the fourth day.
David Bedingham hit 44 not out off 30 balls as South Africa sealed victory in just 7.1 overs.
Bedingham was opening in place of Ryan Rickelton, who suffered a hamstring strain in the field after scoring 259 in South Africa’s first innings of 615.
Captain Shan Masood led Pakistan’s fightback, scoring 145.
Masood fell to the second new ball, trapped leg before wicket by 18-year-old debutant Kwena Maphaka.
Masood’s dismissal came three balls after Kagiso Rabada had Saud Shakeel caught at second slip for 23, ending a 51-run fourth-wicket stand.
Pakistan, a batter short after Saim Ayub suffered a broken ankle while fielding on the first morning, were still 92 runs in arrears after the double blow.
But Mohammad Rizwan (41) and Salman Agha (48) put on 88 for the sixth wicket and Aamer Jamal hit a quick 34 before the innings was ended.
South Africa’s bowlers received virtually no assistance from a placid pitch.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who had been expected to be a major factor on a fourth day pitch, achieved minimal spin and toiled for 45 overs to take three for 137.
South Africa will go into the Test championship final against Australia at Lord’s in June on the back of seven straight wins — the second most successful sequence in their history.
Pakistan suspends mobile, Internet service for two days in capital of restive Balochistan province
- The development came a day after a suicide blast killed five Pakistani soldiers in Balochistan’s Kech district
- The southwestern province has been the site of a long-running insurgency, which has intensified in recent years
QUETTA: Authorities in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province have suspended cellular and mobile Internet services in the provincial capital of Quetta for two days, officials said on Monday, citing “security reasons.”
The decision came a day after a suicide attack on a convoy of Frontier Corps (FC) paramilitary force in the Kech district, which killed five soldiers and injured several others.
The attack was claimed by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), one of the most prominent armed groups involved in dozens of attacks that killed over 100 people in Balochistan in 2024.
Balochistan, a mineral-rich Pakistani province which shares its border with Iran and Afghanistan, has been the site of a long-running insurgency, which has intensified in recent years.
“The provincial home department requested the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend the mobile service in Quetta,” Deputy Commissioner Saad bin Asad told Arab News.
“Cellular and mobile Internet services have been suspended for two days due to security reasons,” he said, without specifying the nature of these threats.
Baloch separatist groups say they are fighting what they call exploitation of the region’s resources by the state. The Pakistani government denies the allegation and says it is working for the uplift of the impoverished region.
In 2024, Balochistan witnessed a dramatic 41 percent increase in militant attacks. Nearly 300 people were killed in 564 attacks of different variations in the province, while 44 percent of these attacks targeted Pakistani security forces, according to the provincial government data.
Sunday’s mobile and Internet service suspension also came hours after a re-election in a provincial assembly constituency, PB-45, which triggered protests by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) religious party over alleged rigging of poll.
The JUI announced a province-wide shutter down strike in the province on Monday, which was partially observed in areas where the party has strong presence.
