PARIS/KARACHI: Air crash investigators were en route from Pakistan to France on Monday with two ‘black box’ flight recorders of a Pakistani airliner that crashed in a residential area while trying to land in the port city of Karachi last month, airport officials said.
An Airbus test plane, unusually commissioned to transport the boxes because of disruption from the coronavirus crisis, was due to arrive on Monday afternoon at Le Bourget near Paris where France’s BEA air accident agency was standing by to open them.
The French agency is involved in the Pakistan-led probe because the crashed A320 was designed by France-based Airbus, and is additionally carrying out the crucial task of decoding the recorders because it has state-of-the-art equipment.
The A320 operated by Pakistan International Airlines crashed short of the runway on May 22, killing 97 people on board after the pilots reported the loss of both engines.
Two passengers survived and there were no reports of casualties on the ground. The crash site remained sealed off on Monday.
BEA experts are expected to open and download information from the boxes — one containing cockpit voice recordings and the other aircraft data — on Tuesday, subject to the recording chips being intact inside their crash-resistant shells.
Initial reports suggested the jetliner scraped its engines along the runway on a first attempt to land following what appeared to be an unstable approach, arriving steep and fast.
Investigators will analyze the cockpit data to try to understand whether damage to the engines from the first landing attempt caused them to cut out before the second attempt, leaving the airplane unable to make it to the airport perimeter.
Experts warn it is too early to say what caused the crash.
In Karachi, as officials continued to try to identify victims’ bodies using DNA samples, families took to social media to voice their grief at not being able to perform the last rites of their loved ones.
The airline said on Sunday problems in identifying victims were caused by delays in DNA identification outside its control.
Black boxes from crashed Pakistan jet head to France for analysis
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Black boxes from crashed Pakistan jet head to France for analysis
- French agency is involved in the Pakistan-led probe because the crashed A320 was designed by France-based Airbus
- A320 operated by PIA crashed short of the runway on May 22, killing 97 people on board
Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief completes distribution of 50,000 shelters, winter kits in Pakistan
- The initiative targeted areas severely affected by flash floods, heavy rain and snowfall in the South Asian country
- It provided essential support to over 350,000 individuals, enabling communities to recover and regain stability
ISLAMABAD: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has completed the distribution of 50,000 shelters and winter kits among Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities, the Saudi charity said on Tuesday.
The aid distribution was part of KSrelief’s Shelter, Non-Food Items (NFIs) and Winter Kit Project for 2023-24, according to a statement issued by the charity organization.
By focusing on the disaster-stricken regions, the project provided essential support to over 350,000 individuals across Pakistan, enabling communities to recover and regain stability.
“Spanning four phases from September 2023 to October 2024, the initiative targeted areas severely affected by flash floods, heavy rainfall, and snowfall across 44 high-need districts in Pakistan,” KSrelief said in a statement.
“Through this effort, KSrelief distributed a total of 25,000 Shelter NFIs and 25,000 Winter Kits, aimed at helping communities withstand harsh winter conditions and rebuild their lives in the aftermath of these disasters.”
KSrelief coordinated with Pakistan’s national and provincial disaster management authorities and United Nations (UN) agencies for the effort, according to the statement.
“This approach ensured a cohesive, well-targeted response to meet the immediate needs of those impacted,” it read.
The Saudi charity organization has one of the largest humanitarian budgets available to any aid agency across the world, which has allowed its officials to undertake a wide variety of projects in more than 80 countries.
Pakistan is the fifth largest beneficiary of its aid and humanitarian activities and has greatly benefited from its assistance since 2022 monsoon floods.
Pakistani bank signs LC Confirmation deal with International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
- This product facilitates trade flow by allowing exporters and issuing banks to gain assurance from the ITFC
- It will support private sector clients by working with banks in Organization of Islamic Cooperation states
ISLAMABAD: Meezan Bank, a leading Islamic bank in Pakistan, has signed a new strategic partnership with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) under its Letter of Credit (LC) Confirmation product to support the private sector, the Pakistani bank said on Tuesday.
This product facilitates trade flow by allowing exporters and issuing banks to gain assurance from the ITFC, a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, to secure payment and thus eliminate credit risks, according to a statement issued by Meezan Bank.
It will support private sector clients, including small-medium enterprises (SMEs), by working with local banks in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries to facilitate various import transactions.
The agreement was signed by Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer of ITFC, and Syed Amir Ali, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Meezan Bank, in the presence of executives from both sides.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our business relationship with ITFC as we solidify our partnership. This arrangement reinforces our Bank’s commitment to reliability, stability, and financial excellence,” said Syed Amir Ali, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Meezan Bank.
“The Letter of Credit Confirmation Agreement strengthens our position in the market, enabling us to capitalize on new opportunities and facilitate international Islamic trade.”
Meezan Bank is the first bank in Pakistan to partner with ITFC for the LC Confirmation facility. It will enable the Pakistani bank to extend geographical coverage by leveraging the ITFC network, both in member and non-member countries. It will also enable the Bank to handle LC Confirmation transactions of up to 12 months.
“We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Meezan Bank through this Letter of Credit Confirmation Agreement, which reflects our commitment and support to private sector clients in our member countries,” M. Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer of ITFC, was quoted as saying by Meezan Bank.
Pakistani actors Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed starrer ‘Love Guru’ to release on Eid
- The movie will be directed by industry veteran Nadeem Baig and also feature actor Ahmed Ali Butt
- Pakistani cinema has witnessed a revival over the past decade with the release of a number of movies
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan has said that her new film ‘Love Guru’ will be released on Eid next year, which will feature her alongside actors Humayun Saeed and Ahmed Ali Butt.
Khan, who will be playing the female lead alongside Saeed, said the movie is directed by Nadeem Baig. Both Khan and Saeed appeared together in the Pakistani film ‘Bin Roye’ nine years ago, with fans admiring their chemistry on screen.
“There is one project that we are shooting for the past month,” Khan told reporters at an event in London. “It’s film Love Guru that will be released on Eid.”
The actress expressed happiness and thanked her fans for the amount of love she received in London.
Khan has made a mark in international cinema with her performances in ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ (2022) and Bollywood flick ‘Raees’ (2017) alongside Shah Rukh Khan. Her acting skills in the two movies were widely praised by critics and made her a household name in Pakistan and India.
Pakistani cinema industry has witnessed a revival over the past decade with the release of a number of movies, including ‘Zinda Bhaag’ (2013) and ‘Ho Mann Jahaan’ (2016), which were based on a mix of traditional and modern themes.
The success of these films has led to an increase in investment in movie production, with many new films being released each year.
Pakistan, China conclude bilateral air exercise to bolster interoperability
- The exercise simulated various military tactics in near-realistic, multi-domain operations
- Pakistan is separately holding a joint military exercise, Harimau-Markhore II, with Malaysia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Tuesday concluded a bilateral air exercise aimed at strengthening interoperability between the two air forces, the Pakistani military said.
The Indus Shield-Chinese exercise, a bilateral module of the Indus Shield 2024 military exercise, concluded at an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
It witnessed participation from People’s Liberation Army Air Force with its personnel and high-tech equipment comprising Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, J-16 and J-10C fighter with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) equipment, HQ-22 surface-to-air defense system, Potent Airborne Electronic Warfare YTG-9 Platform, and the KJ-500 airborne early warning system pitched against the PAF’s J-10C and JF-17 Block-III fighter jets simulating contemporary aerial combat scenarios.
“The successful execution of such a large-scale exercise demonstrates Pakistan Air Force’s joint operational readiness among allied nations while addressing contemporary security challenges,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“Aimed at validating interoperability between China and Pakistan in the face of contemporary air combat challenges and by simulating various military tactics in near-realistic, multi-domain operations training environment, Indus Shield-Chinese has maximized the warfighting potential of both the participating air forces.”
Indus Shield-2024 is the largest multinational regional exercise, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye among 24 countries taking part in it. The exercise aims to foster interoperability and training through state-of-the-art facilities.
Pakistan is separately holding a joint military exercise, Harimau-Markhore II, with Malaysia, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday. The two-week-long exercise began at the National Counter-Terrorism Center in Pabbi in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtukhwa (KP) province.
“The exercise will strengthen bilateral relations between the Malaysian and Pakistani forces and provide opportunities to benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise in the future,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
Pakistan frequently holds exercise drills with regional and international allies to foster interoperability and joint deployment concepts to strengthen regional and global security.
Also, Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Zulfiquar visited Port Djibouti during deployment on a regional maritime security patrol, the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Pakistan Navy said on Tuesday.
The commanding officer of PNS Zulfiquar called on senior military leadership and explored avenues for further collaboration, while the crew had professionally rewarding interactions with Djibouti Navy and Coast Guards during the port call.
“Pakistan and Djibouti enjoy close and cordial relations based on mutual respect and understanding. Both the countries also have numerous common interests in maritime arena,” the DGPR said in a statement. “Upon departure, PNS Zulfiquar conducted Passage Exercise with Djibouti Coast Guards to enhance inter-operability.”
Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services
- Pakistan will send 179,210 pilgrims, equally divided between the government and private sector
- Government will prioritize first-time pilgrims in the official balloting process, says a statement
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the Hajj Policy 2025, said an official statement, specifying a quota of 179,210 pilgrims and introducing a new position of the “nazim” or administrator to ensure improved services for those embarking on the spiritual journey.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is an annual pilgrimage to Makkah undertaken by millions of Muslims. Pakistan has one of the largest Hajj quotas provided by Saudi Arabia to any Muslim country amid immense demand for the pilgrimage, with many citizens waiting years for an opportunity to participate.
“The federal cabinet approved the Hajj Policy 2025 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony,” an official handout from the Prime Minister’s Office said. “The cabinet was informed that Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2025 will be 179,210, divided equally between the government and the private sector.”
The new policy includes the creation of a “nazim” position, aimed at ensuring the well-being of pilgrims throughout the journey.
“For every 100 pilgrims, one nazim will be appointed from the welfare staff,” the handout added, underscoring the government’s intent to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Under the policy, children under 12 will not be allowed to travel for Hajj. Government quota allocation will be conducted through computerized balloting, with 1,000 seats reserved for hardship cases and 300 for laborers or low-income employees registered with the Workers Welfare Fund or the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution.
Additionally, the Makkah Route Initiative, offering streamlined immigration services, will be available at Islamabad and Karachi international airports. To further enhance the experience, Hajj Group Organizers will sign service agreements with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, with close monitoring of service quality.
In light of previous challenges, the cabinet has increased compensation for pilgrims who may pass away or get injured during the pilgrimage. The families of deceased pilgrims will receive Rs1 million to Rs2 million, while injured pilgrims will receive Rs1 million in compensation.
A specialized Hajj management app has also been developed to support pilgrims, along with extensive training initiatives.
The cabinet directed priority in the balloting process to first-time pilgrims and emphasized the importance of ensuring top-quality services for all participants.
