KARACHI: Senior member of the Dubai royal family, Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, will invest around 15 percent of the equity requirement of a coal-to-gas and coal-to-liquid (C2L) processing facility to be set up in Pakistan’s southern Thar desert, officials said on Wednesday.
Al Maktoum group of private companies mainly focuses on energy, infrastructure, mining, LNG terminal development, oil and gas commodity trading and education and agriculture projects. His business is also a key strategic stakeholder in Oracle Power PLC, a United Kingdom-based power and natural resource project developer.
The exact cost of the project is not yet decided but Al Maktoum will invest 15% of the equity requirement, Naheed Memon, CEO of Oracle Power, told Arab News.
“He is also an investment partner in our projects in Pakistan in Thar; he has committed to invest 15% of the equity requirements,” Memon said on the sidelines of a stakeholder consultative conference held in Karachi to deliberate upon a coal conversation policy for Thar deposits.
The Thar desert is home to the largest lignite coal reserves in the world at an estimated 175 billion tons - the equivalent of 50 billion tons of oil and 2000 trillion cubic feet of gas, according to the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
Four Pakistani leading coal mining and power generation companies are planning to convert huge deposits of coal into gas and liquid in the Thar desert in southern Sindh province, as the country moves to ban new coal-fired power plants.
Last years, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan told a virtual gathering of global leaders: “We have decided we will not have any more power based on coal … We have already scraped two coal power projects which were supposed to produce 2600 megawatt of energy. By 2030, 60 percent of all energy produced in Pakistan will be clean energy.”
Chinese companies are financing and building most of Pakistan’s coal plants through the over $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship of China’s belt and road initiative.
Memon said coal to gasification was a “new technology very dependent on international commodity prices of oil and gas and required substantial investment.”
She said investment requirements were similar to coal mining for power generation; the gasification process also involved mining of coal and then its conversion into syngas, or synthesis gas, by installing gasification units.
“Approximately we are talking about $2 billion to $3 billion to produce, for example, two million ton of urea - that is the kind of money we are looking at,” said Memon, whose company is operating along with China National Coal Development company (CNCDC), in Thar.
Participants at Wednesday’s conference called for a comprehensive coal gasification policy to kickstart projects in the country.
“We have proposed to the government of Pakistan that an appropriate framework be put in place,” Memon said, adding: “The utilization could be for line gas, urea, and liquid petroleum base products for this sort of development to take place a policy has to be put in place.”
Nadeem Babar, a special advisor on petroleum, assured the participants that all energy policies would be made in consultation with stakeholders.
“We have not made any energy policy without consulting the stakeholders during two and half years of our tenure and the process will continue,” he said, addressing the conference. “We need to convert our energy sector into commodity … the government gives great importance to coal gasification and conversion into liquid petroleum”.
Pakistan currently has four coal-fired power plants worth $6.7 billion, with three using imported coal. The combined capacity of these plants set up under CPEC is 4,620 MW.
In the last five years, the share of coal-based power in Pakistan’s energy mix has gradually increased from almost negligible to more than 20%, according to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
The share of coal-based electricity generation in total thermal generation during the fiscal year 2019-20 was 31.84%, up from 18.71% in 2018-19. The utilization of coal-based power plants during fiscal year 2019-20 was almost 66% of total installed capacity of coal-based power plants, NEPRA data showed.
Coal utilization is set to expand further as five more power plants, built under the CPEC umbrella at a cost of more than $3.3 billion, are scheduled to commence operations by the end of 2026. Among these upcoming power plants, four will use Thar coal, according to the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB).
Dubai’s Al Maktoum to invest 15% equity requirement in Pakistan coal conversion project
https://arab.news/g5bj3
Dubai’s Al Maktoum to invest 15% equity requirement in Pakistan coal conversion project
- Exact cost of the coal-to-gas and coal-to-liquid processing facility not yet decided but Al Maktoum will invest 15% of equity requirement
- Last years, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said his government had decided not to generate any more power using coal
From Riyadh to Rawalpindi: How Pakistani women are redefining the abaya
- Gulf trends reshape local styles as designers blend Middle Eastern cuts with Pakistani preferences and flair
- Young women are turning abayas into personal statements, helped by social media and global fashion cues
ISLAMABAD: In Pakistan, the abaya is undergoing a quiet but striking transformation. Long associated with uniform modesty and religious conservatism, this traditional black cloak worn by many Muslim women is now being reimagined by a new generation — one that blends cultural heritage with bold personal expression, often inspired by the glitz and fluidity of Gulf fashion capitals.
Originally worn across the Arabian Peninsula, the abaya has deep roots in Bedouin dress and later became a symbol of modesty under Islamic influence. In Pakistan, it gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, a period marked by rising religiosity, increased migration to Gulf countries, and the influence of satellite television beaming in images of Arab fashion.
For decades, black reigned supreme: functional, symbolic, and widely accepted.
But today, the abaya has become more than a religious garment. It is now a medium of fashion, expression and cultural exchange.
“The Middle East has turned abayas into a fashion trend,” said Nimra Saleem, a designer who is preparing to launch a dedicated abaya brand.
“The Gulf states introduce new cuts, designs, colors, and fabrics every year. So, the cuts of my abayas, the inspiration was taken from Saudi Arabia itself, and I made such cuts that are not available in Pakistan yet.”
Saleem grew up in Saudi Arabia and returned to Pakistan six years ago to pursue a degree in textile design at the National College of Arts in Rawalpindi. Her thesis focused on women migrating from the Gulf, and she explored how Arabic aesthetics could merge with Pakistani tastes. Now, the abaya brand she plans to launch will reflect this evolving sensibility, she hopes.
“Initially, abayas here were limited to plain black, but now people are using them as a form of self-expression, wearing them in vibrant colors, pairing them with colorful hijabs, and choosing fabrics like georgette and silk. Printed abayas are also becoming more popular.”
To accommodate Pakistan’s climate while staying true to Gulf-inspired styles, Saleem uses lightweight fabrics similar to those worn in the Middle East.
“These abayas can be worn in Pakistan too because they’re very weather friendly,” she said.
SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE
The cultural pull of the Gulf, particularly from style hubs like Dubai and Jeddah, continues to influence aesthetics across South Asia, especially among upwardly mobile urban Pakistanis. Social media has only amplified that impact, offering a steady stream of Gulf fashion influencers and modestwear labels that are increasingly global in reach.
For designers like Abdul Rahman, a boutique owner in Rawalpindi with a strong social media following, the shift in tastes is undeniable.
“Over the past five years, trends have changed,” he said. “We design abayas according to customer choice, some like party wear, some need casual wear, and some prefer normal embroidery.”
Rahman’s business, which once catered mostly to domestic buyers, now processes online orders from across the globe.
“We get a lot of orders from South Africa, the United Kingdom, and UAE because abayas there are costly,” he explained.
His store offers options ranging from Rs3,000 ($11) to Rs20,000 ($71), making Pakistani-made garments more affordable for diaspora communities seeking modestwear.
This intersection of modesty and style also resonates with many young women in Pakistan, who say the abaya is no longer seen as restrictive, but adaptable.
“The time is changing, and people are understanding that it’s not about the black color,” said Areeba Faisal, a university student in Islamabad. “It’s about modesty and how you carry yourself.”
While she personally favors black abayas for most occasions, she appreciates the variety now available.
“On some occasions, I prefer to wear this kind of stuff— colored and embroidered abayas,” she said. “Islam does not mandate wearing a specific type of gown, nor does it require it to be black or free of embellishments.”
Another student, Humaira Javeed, echoed that view. “Everything evolves with time— including clothing. Abayas are no exception,” she said.
She prefers light colors, such as skin tones or pastels, but still sees black as modern and versatile. For her, wearing an abaya is more cultural than religious, and there’s space within tradition for creativity.
“It’s not something to be stigmatized in any way,” she added.
Indeed, the new wave of abaya culture in Pakistan reflects broader conversations about identity and modernity in the Muslim world.
In places like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where strict dress codes once mandated uniform black cloaks, fashion-forward abayas now come in soft hues, adorned with intricate embroidery, pleats, lace, and avant-garde silhouettes.
These trends are finding fertile ground in Pakistan, where decades of exposure to Gulf culture through migration, media, and remittances have reshaped everything from food to fashion.
“Girls expressing themselves through abayas inspired me to create pieces that prove modesty can be just as fashionable and trend-aware,” said Saleem. “You can be modest, and you can still be in trend.”
Blast claimed by Daesh kills four in northwest Pakistan
- Officials were traveling in a car in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when attack happened in a market in Bajaur city
- Around 300 people, mostly security officials, have been killed in attacks in KP and Balochistan provinces since start of year
PESHAWAR: An explosion in northwest Pakistan killed at least four local government officials and police Wednesday, an officer told AFP, in an attack claimed by a branch of the Daesh group.
“One senior government official, along with another government official and two police officers, were killed in the attack. Eleven people were wounded,” said Waqas Rafiq, a senior police official stationed in Bajaur, a city near the border with Afghanistan.
The officials were traveling in a car in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when “the attack happened in a market in Bajaur city,” Rafiq added.
Hours later the IS-K group of Daesh claimed to have detonated an explosives-laden moped that targeted the vehicle in which the officials were traveling.
The deadly blast came four days after 16 soldiers were killed in the same province in an attack claimed by the Pakistan Taliban, a group which is very active in the area.
Around 300 people, mostly security officials, have been killed in attacks since the start of the year by armed groups fighting the government in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, according to an AFP tally.
Last year was the deadliest in a decade for Pakistan, with a surge in attacks that killed more than 1,600 people, according to Islamabad-based analysis group the Center for Research and Security Studies.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence in its regions bordering Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, with Islamabad accusing its western neighbor of allowing its soil to be used for attacks against Pakistan — a claim the Taliban denies.
Pakistan eyes global models to expand SME finance, tackle low credit access
- Minister stresses SMEs’ role in GDP, employment at international development forum
- Government says reforms to boost lending, cut red tape and spur sustainable growth
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb this week stressed on the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for the country’s economy, highlighting his government’s policy to increase their lending portfolio to enhance their contributions to employment, exports and the national GDP.
Pakistan’s finance czar was speaking at a high-level panel discussion titled “Scaling up SME Finance” on Wednesday, hosted at the International Business Forum on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Sevilla, Spain.
The minister underscored the importance of SMEs to Pakistan’s economy, noting that these enterprises account for approximately 40 percent of the country’s GDP, 25 percent of exports and nearly 78 percent of non-agricultural employment.
However, Aurangzeb noted that despite their contributions, SMEs access to formal finance remains “disproportionately low,” with a small percentage of private-sector lending currently directed toward them, the finance ministry said. He said the government is actively working through the central bank to encourage commercial banks to expand their SME lending portfolios.
“This expansion is expected to enhance the contribution of SMEs to GDP, exports, employment, youth and women’s digital empowerment, and overall financial inclusion, laying the foundation for sustained and inclusive economic growth,” the finance ministry said.
The minister said the government’s parallel efforts are underway to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) so it can extend market linkages, provide regulatory relief, enhance advisory services and lead capacity-building initiatives.
“Deregulation efforts, such as reducing reliance on NOCs and increasing e-inspections, are also being introduced to reduce compliance burdens for SMEs,” the finance ministry added.
Aurangzeb expressed his desire to learn from successful models across other emerging markets and fostering partnerships that promote technology-driven, climate-compliant, and socially inclusive SME development.
Pakistan’s government has increasingly spoken about achieving sustainable economic growth and moving the country away from his usual “boom and bust” cycle.
The government has attempted to pursue this through financial reforms, signing trade and business agreements with regional allies worth billions of dollars and enhancing its exports.
India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket clash likely on September 7 in UAE — report
- Uncertainty prevailed over Asia Cup after India and Pakistan’s military conflict in May worsened already strained ties
- Asia Cup to follow group stage, Super Fours format, meaning both can play each other at least twice, says report
ISLAMABAD: Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are likely to face each other in the upcoming Asia Cup cricket tournament on September 7 in the UAE, a report by an Indian publication said on Wednesday.
According to a report in Indian publication ‘Times of India,’ the Asia Cup is likely to start on September 5 with the title clash taking place on September 21. It said that all participating nations, including official hosts India, are close to getting clearances from their respective governments for the tournament which is set to be played in the UAE.
Already-soured relations between India and Pakistan further worsened after four days of intense fighting before a ceasefire was announced in May. Bilateral cricket has been suspended since 2013 between the Asian neighbors, who play each other only in multi-team events as per an International Cricket Council arrangement.
“The 17-day window has been almost finalized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and India are set to take on Pakistan on September 7 as per the initial schedule,” a report by the Times of India said.
The tournament is set to feature hosts India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and UAE, the report said, adding that it is set to follow the group stage and Super Fours format. This means fans will witness the India-Pakistan contest at least twice, and the second contest could take place on September 14, the report said.
Uncertainty has clouded over the Asia Cup after the two countries were locked in conflict in May. Political tensions have always adversely affected cricket ties between the two countries.
India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy this year and played all their matches, including the March 9 final, in Dubai.
India will host the women’s 50-overs World Cup this year but Pakistan will play all their matches in Sri Lanka under an arrangement made by the International Cricket Council.
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir is against playing Pakistan even in neutral venues but will follow whatever the BCCI decided, he said in May.
Imran Khan’s party announces Pakistan-wide protest movement after Muharram
- Pakistan’s top court last week ruled PTI ineligible for reserved seats in parliament for women and minorities
- Analysts say development likely to undermine democracy in Pakistan, encourage horse-trading in parliament
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced on Wednesday it would hold a nationwide movement against the government after the Islamic month of Muharram, days after Pakistan’s top court denied the party reserved seats for minorities and women in parliament.
The announcement followed a meeting of the PTI’s parliamentarians in Islamabad. The party’s lawmakers discussed several issues such as the political situation after the Supreme Court’s verdict last week which denied the party reserved seats in parliament, launching a movement to demand the release of Khan and PTI supporters from prison.
The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench on June 27 ruled that former prime minister Imran Khan’s PTI is not entitled to reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies, upholding an earlier verdict by the Peshawar High Court. The dispute arose after PTI lost its electoral symbol ahead of the February 8 national polls and its candidates contested as independents.
Despite its candidates winning the most general seats, the PTI was denied reserved seats for women and minorities, which are allocated to parties based on proportional representation, by the ECP. The government lost its two-thirds majority in parliament in July 2024 when the top court reversed the ECP’s decision, terming it unconstitutional and ordering the reserved seats to be allocated to PTI. The ECP and the political parties had filed a review petition, which were accepted by the top court last week.
“We [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] are starting a movement after Muharram,” Ali Amin Gandapur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and a senior PTI leader, told reporters after the party’s meeting.
“This will be a Pakistan-wide movement, god willing. We will protest peacefully, politically, like we always do. We will proceed and take it forward but if they [government] fire bullets, we will plan for that as well.”
The government rejects the PTI’s allegations that the February 2024 polls were rigged, accusing Khan’s party of disrupting its efforts of ensuring the sustainable economic growth.
RULING COALITION GETS TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY
The ECP’s latest notification granting parties other than the PTI reserved seats for women and minorities means the ruling coalition government now has two-thirds majority in parliament. The electoral authority also withdrew its earlier notifications of July 24 and July 29, 2024 on Wednesday, which declared the successful candidates on general seats in the national and provincial assemblies as PTI-returned candidates.
Sixteen reserved seats for women and three for minorities in the National Assembly were allocated to various parties, with the lion’s share going to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the PTI’s chief rival. The PML-N were allocated 13 seats, while four were allocated to the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) and two to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F).
With this development, the ruling coalition has crossed the two-thirds majority mark, securing 233 seats in the 336-member National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. A political party or a coalition government needs 224 seats to reach the threshold.
As per the notification, 21 reserved seats for women were reinstated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, with eight allocated to the JUI-F, six to the PML-N and five to the PPPP. One seat each was also allotted to the PTI Parliamentarians and the Awami National Party (ANP).
Meanwhile, out of the four reserved seats for minorities in KP Assembly, two were given to the JUI-F and one each to the PML-N and the PPPP.
The ECP restored 24 reserved seats for women in the Punjab Assembly, of which the PML-N received 21, while one seat each was allocated to the PPPP, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q).
Additionally, three minority seats were allocated--two to the PML-N and one to the PPPP.
Two reserved seats for women and one for minorities were reinstated in the Sindh Assembly, with two allotted to the PPP and one to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).
‘GRAVE INJUSTICE’
Political analysts noted the development would further weaken the PTI’s position at the center.
“This move is likely to further undermine democracy in Pakistan and encourage horse-trading, as the ruling coalition may try to woo legislators particularly in KP,” Mazhar Abbas, a political analyst and journalist, told Arab News.
The PTI has a large support base in KP, where it has been emerging as the largest party since the 2013 polls.
Zahid Hussain, another political analyst, said the move has given the ruling coalition government the much-desired two-thirds majority, enabling them to make constitutional changes as per their will.
“The government and [military] establishment appear intent on securing a two-thirds majority to push through legislation and constitutional amendments of their choosing,” he noted.
Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of the Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) said the move would further strengthen the ruling PML-N as it would reduce the party’s reliance on the PPP.
“In National Assembly, PML-N-led coalition has come closer to having a simple majority without the PPP,” Mehboob said.
He added that after securing the reserved seats, the PML-N-led coalition needed only 11 seats to secure a simple majority on its own.
