In dark longing, Arooj Aftab expands soundscape of Pakistan and has the world listening

Musician Arooj Aftab, right, performs at Resonant Bodies Festival in New York on June 5, 2019. (Photo courtesy: Resonant Bodies Festival)
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Updated 27 June 2021
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In dark longing, Arooj Aftab expands soundscape of Pakistan and has the world listening

  • Aftab’s third album “Vulture Prince” featuring ghazals was released in late April and has already gained critical acclaim
  • Pitchfork magazine, a barometer of the independent music scene, has praised her “technical skill and compositional fearlessness” 

RAWALPINDI: Though Arooj Aftab has lived in the United States for nearly two decades since she left Pakistan for Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music, she says her music owes a large debt to her hometown, Lahore, and the music and the poetry of her country of origin.
The musician’s third album, “Vulture Prince,” was released by New Amsterdam Records in late April and features ghazals, poems of beauty in longing. The collection has already gained critical acclaim, with Pitchfork magazine, a barometer of the independent music scene, praising Aftab’s “technical skill and compositional fearlessness” in blending Pakistani classical music with jazz and trance to create her singular sound.

The 36-year-old began to make headlines in 2018, when the National Public Radio (NPR) listed her “Lullaby” as one of the 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women+ and the New York Times celebrated her “Island No 2” among the Best Classical Music Tracks of 2018.
“I’ve inherited a lot of different types of music, and they’ve created a route inside of me,” she told Arab News in an interview this week. “I will always have my relationship with Lahore and with Pakistan, our culture and our heritage, our poetry, our music, our style of being.”
“I don’t think you can ever erase that and it’s still real life for me even though I am not physically spending time there. It’s not a memory — it’s definitely a part of where I am. I don’t think it can go away.”
That part seems to have entered a new cycle of life with Aftab’s recent album. The “vulture” in the title spreads its wings over all seven tracks.




In this undated photo, musician Arooj Aftab is performing at Highline Ballroom in New York. (Photo courtesy: Social Media) 

“Vulture is kind of like mystical, exalted kind of almost feared type of bird,” she said.
In the Zoroastrian tradition of South Asia’s Parsis, vultures connect the world of the living and the afterlife. The bodies of the deceased are placed for burial in “towers of silence” where the birds come to consume them.
“I had been thinking about how, how beautiful and how dark is the Zoroastrian tower of silence, and the role that vultures play in returning us back into the cycle of life,” Aftab said. “They eat the deceased and then, in that way, your loved ones, their energy goes back into the earth and the world, and the cycle continues.”
“I find that insane, and also really beautiful.”
Many in South Asia will recognize that same nostalgia in the lead single “Mohabbat.”

The ghazal, written by Hafeez Hoshiarpuri in the 1920s, is one the most famous classical Urdu poems, an ode to the devouring sadness of loss, separation and longing that is “equal to the sadness of all the world.”
Performed by greats such as Mehdi Hassan and Iqbal Bano, the longing in the song at some point reaches its peak, but not in Aftab’s version. She had completely transformed it, making the sadness burn slowly, at multiple levels.
“It has dual modes, it has multiple modes, it has multiple feelings going on, you can feel a lot of things through it,” she said. “It can be interpreted in so many different ways.”
It can also heal.
“Music has always been a personal healing tool for me. It always came to me that way,” Aftab said. “That’s always been my base: to use music as a therapy for myself.”


 


Pakistan to convert Frontier Constabulary into nationwide federal force amid mounting security challenges

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Pakistan to convert Frontier Constabulary into nationwide federal force amid mounting security challenges

  • FC’s primary function is to police border between settled areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and tribal areas
  • Experts view step as part of broader efforts to centralize, enhance internal security infrastructure, says state media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government has decided to convert the Frontier Constabulary (FC) paramilitary force into a nationwide federal unit empowered to operate across the country, state-run media reported this week. 

According to the FC’s website, the paramilitary force’s primary function is to police the border between the settled areas of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and its tribal areas against incursions and criminal gangs operating from across the border.

The FC is governed under the Frontier Constabulary Act, 1915 and the North-West Frontier Constabulary Rules, 1958. The maintenance, superintendence, administration and control of the force lies with the federal government, which is also empowered to deploy the FC in any part of Pakistan for “better protection and administration” of those areas, as per its website. 

“The federal government has decided to transform the Frontier Constabulary (FC) into a nationwide federal force,” the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) said in a report on Sunday.

“According to reliable sources, the revamped force will operate under the new name ‘Federal Constabulary’ and will be empowered to function across all provinces, including Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.”

The report said that the force will be converted through amendments to the Frontier Constabulary Act of 1915, which are expected to receive approval from the federal cabinet. Following the cabinet’s endorsement, a presidential ordinance will be issued to extend the FC’s jurisdiction across the entire country.

The state media said that as part of the force’s reorganization, recruitment for the new Federal Constabulary unit will be carried out nationwide, with offices established across the country.

“The force will be commanded by officers from the Police Service of Pakistan, according to insiders familiar with the restructuring plan,” the report added. 

The PTV report said security experts view this step as part of broader efforts to centralize and enhance Pakistan’s internal security infrastructure.

“The establishment of the Federal Constabulary is expected to play a crucial role in maintaining law and order and strengthening national peace and security mechanisms,” it said. 

The development takes place as Pakistan faces surging militant attacks in its KP and Balochistan provinces that border Afghanistan and Iran. Islamabad has grappled with a surge in militant attacks in KP since a fragile truce between Pakistan and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke down in November 2022. 

The TTP’s militants have carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistan’s security forces and civilians since 2007 in a bid to impose their strict version of Islam across the country. 

Pakistan blames the Afghan government for not taking action against TTP militants, which it alleges operate from safe havens in Afghanistan. Kabul denies the allegations and says it does not allow militants to use its soil to launch attacks against Pakistan.


FM Dar to represent Pakistan at SCO Council of Foreign Ministers today amid regional tensions

Updated 32 min 20 sec ago
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FM Dar to represent Pakistan at SCO Council of Foreign Ministers today amid regional tensions

  • The SCO is a major trans-regional organization collectively representing nearly half of the world’s population
  • Dar will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the SCO meeting in China’s Tianjin

ISLAMABAD: Deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, will be leading the Pakistani delegation at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in China today, Monday, the Pakistani foreign ministry said, with member states expected to discuss key regional and global issues at the forum.

The meeting comes amid simmering regional tensions, particularly between India and Pakistan, following New Delhi’s refusal to sign a recent SCO joint statement over its omission of a deadly April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The SCO, a trans-regional bloc comprising China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Iran, and Central Asian states, is expected to deliberate on pressing regional and global security, connectivity, and economic issues.

Dar is attending the CFM meeting, being held in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin on July 14-16, at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.

“The deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Pakistan will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the CFM meeting,” it said in a statement on Sunday.

The CFM is the third highest forum in the SCO format that focuses on the issues of international relations as well as foreign and security policies of China-backed SCO.

Last month, Beijing’s bid for enhanced regional leadership suffered a setback when India rejected signing a joint statement put before defense ministers of the SCO, seen by some Western analysts as a regional grouping by China and Russia to counter United States influence in Asia, with New Delhi saying it was pro-Pakistan in not mentioning April’s attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.

India blamed Pakistan for backing the gunmen behind the April 22 killing of 26 people. Islamabad denies the charge.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the statement diluted India’s position on critical issues such as terrorism and regional security, The Associated Press reported, citing a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. Singh alleged the joint statement “suited Pakistan’s narrative” because it did not include that attack but mentioned militant activities in Balochistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of backing separatists in its Balochistan province, allegations that India denies.

In May, India and Pakistan exchanged fighter jet, missile, drone and artillery strikes for four days over the Kashmir attack, killing around 70 people on both sides before agreeing to US-brokered ceasefire.


Japan outclass Pakistan 3-0 to win Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 title

Updated 13 July 2025
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Japan outclass Pakistan 3-0 to win Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 title

  • Japan’s Yuma Fujiwara scored goals in the 22nd and 38th minutes of game
  • Skipper Tatsuaki Yasui scored the final goal to end Pakistan winning streak

ISLAMABAD: Japan defeated Pakistan 3-0 to win the Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2025 final at the National Hockey Training Center in Dazhou, China on Sunday.

Despite both teams attacking each other, the opening quarter of the match ended without a goal. Japan’s Yuma Fujiwara scored the first goal in the seventh minute of the second quarter.

Fujiwara found the net once again in the third quarter, followed by Tatsuaki Yasui extending Japan’s lead to 3-0 on a penalty corner in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

“Japan are crowned champions after a commanding 3–0 victory over Pakistan in the final,” the Asian Hockey Federation commented on X.

“A flawless campaign, built on discipline, skill, and teamwork, earns Japan the top spot on the podium.”

Pakistan had entered the final unbeaten, after defeating Malaysia 4-3 in the semifinals.

Prior to that, the Pakistani side beat hosts China 2-1, Bangladesh 6-3, Sri Lanka 9-0 and Hong Kong 8-0.


Pakistan’s performance under $7 billion program has been ‘strong so far,’ IMF representative says

Updated 13 July 2025
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Pakistan’s performance under $7 billion program has been ‘strong so far,’ IMF representative says

  • Pakistan is currently navigating a long path to economic recovery under the 37-month IMF program secured in Sept.
  • Reforms to strengthen tax equity, improve business climate are key to economic sustainability, Mahir Binici says

ISLAMABAD: Mahir Binici, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) country representative for Pakistan, has described Islamabad’s performance under a $7 billion IMF loan program as being “strong so far,” the Islamabad-based Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) think tank said on Sunday.

Binici said this in his guest lecture at the Institute, during which he shed light on the evolving economic landscape across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Pakistan.

Pakistan narrowly avoided a sovereign default in mid-2023 thanks to a shorter $3 billion IMF facility. In Sept. last year, Islamabad secured the 37-month, $7 billion program after meeting targets under the previous arrangement.

The IMF representative said Pakistan’s successful completion of the first review of its loan program, secured last year, by the IMF executive board in May 2025 was a “key milestone.”

“Early policy measures have helped restore macroeconomic stability and rebuild investor confidence, despite persistent external challenges,” Binici was quoted as saying in an SDPI statement.

He, however, cautioned that “elevated trade tensions, geopolitical fragmentation, and weakening global cooperation continue to generate exceptional uncertainty and weigh on the global economic outlook,” underlining the urgent need for prudent and forward-looking policy actions.

“Growth across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) region, and Pakistan is expected to strengthen in 2025 and beyond,” Binici said.

The IMF representative reaffirmed the global lender’s continued support for Pakistan’s economic and climate reforms agenda.

“Structural reforms remain central to Pakistan’s long-term economic sustainability, particularly reforms that strengthen tax equity, improve the business climate, and encourage private-sector-led investment,” he said.

Binici’s comments came a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif defended his government’s structural reform agenda, particularly in tax administration, saying that difficult and often unpopular decisions were necessary to rebuild national institutions as the country could no longer afford “business as usual.”

Speaking at a session of the Uraan Pakistan youth development program, he said his administration took on the “onerous task” of stabilizing the economy under immense pressure, choosing to pursue long-delayed reforms rather than temporary fixes.

“Pakistan had to undertake these long-overdue, deep structural changes, if we had to find our lost place in the comity of nations through hard and untiring efforts,” he said.

Sharif noted the transition from paper-based tax systems to digital and AI-led processes was already bearing fruit and his administration had prioritized accountability and removing senior revenue officials accused of corruption, resisting political pressure in doing so.

“It’s a long and thorny journey,” he said, assuring merit would remain the cornerstone of his governance model. “We are facing bumps on the way and mountain-like impediments. But I can assure you, we will not shy away from discharging our responsibility.”


Pakistani commerce minister embarks on ‘pivotal’ UK visit to deepen economic ties

Updated 13 July 2025
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Pakistani commerce minister embarks on ‘pivotal’ UK visit to deepen economic ties

  • The UK maintains zero-tariff access of Pakistan’s exports post-Brexit, making it Islamabad’s largest European export partner
  • The Pakistan-UK trade in goods and services reached £4.7 billion in 2024, an increase of 7.3 percent, compared to the previous year

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan has embarked on a “pivotal” official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from July 14 till July 20 to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, Khan’s ministry said on Sunday.

The minister is accompanied by Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul and this high-level visit aims to deepen bilateral commercial ties, strengthen institutional frameworks, and open new avenues for trade and investment between Pakistan and the UK.

Khan will engage with major Chambers of Commerce in London and Birmingham to advance bilateral trade and explore opportunities in emerging sectors, besides highlighting Pakistan’s export potential and fostering greater business-to-business collaboration.

“One of the central moments of the visit will be the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the Pakistan-UK Trade Dialogue,” the commerce ministry said.

“This formalization marks a significant step toward institutionalizing bilateral trade cooperation, injecting greater standardization, transparency, and predictability into the economic relationship between the two countries.”

The UK maintains zero-tariff access of Pakistan’s exports post-Brexit, making it Pakistan’s largest European and third-largest individual export partner, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.

The Pakistan-UK trade in goods and services reached £4.7 billion in 2024, an increase of 7.3 percent, or £320 million, compared to the previous year, according to the UK government data. Of this £4.7 billion, UK exports to Pakistan amounted to £2.2 billion, while its imports from Pakistan amounted to £2.5 billion.

During his visit, the Pakistani commerce minister is scheduled to meet with members of the UK’s All Parties Parliamentary Group (APPG), where he will advocate for stronger political support in enhancing trade and investment flows, according to the commerce ministry.

These discussions will aim to align parliamentary efforts with Pakistan’s broader economic diplomacy goals and strengthen long-term partnerships.

“Khan will interact with leading UK-based multi-million-dollar companies from key sectors such as food processing, information technology, engineering, fintech, and capital investment. These meetings aim to showcase Pakistan’s economic potential and attract targeted investments into high-growth industries,” the commerce ministry said.

“The visit also includes important meetings with the UK Pakistan Business Council, Pakistan Britain Business Council, and UK Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry. These discussions will focus on strengthening institutional trade linkages and leveraging diaspora-led initiatives to boost trade volumes and visibility in the UK market.”

Pakistan is currently striving to draw overseas investment amid a gradually healing macroeconomic environment after a prolonged downturn that forced Islamabad to seek external financing from friendly nations and multiple loan programs from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Khan’s visit follows another trip to the UK in June by Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s aide on privatization, Muhammad Ali, who held meetings with executives from renowned firms, including TTB Partners, STJ Partners, Deutsche Bank, Berenberg Bank, and Amundi Fund Group, to spotlight Pakistan’s privatization roadmap and its growing potential as a hub for strategic, long-term investment.

The Pakistani commerce ministry said Khan’s visit marks a “renewed thrust in Pakistan’s efforts to advance economic diplomacy, diversify export markets, and solidify its commercial footprint in global markets like the United Kingdom.”