‘A revolution:’ In a first for Pakistan, woman becomes chief of Sindh's Soho tribe

Heer Ismail Soho (left), a lawmaker at the provincial assembly of Sindh, chairs a public gathering in her constituency, Sujawal, Pakistan, on January 8, 2022. (@HeerSoho/Twitter)
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Updated 23 March 2022
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‘A revolution:’ In a first for Pakistan, woman becomes chief of Sindh's Soho tribe

  • The Soho tribe’s chieftain, Muhammad Ismail Soho, died of the coronavirus in February
  • His daughter Heer Ismail Soho will assume the title at condolence reference for her father in May

KARACHI: A woman who has been appointed the chief of her tribe in the southern Sindh province, a first for Pakistan, called it a “huge honour” and said she had the backing of her family and community members in running the affairs of the clan.
The Soho tribe is spread across Sindh but dominates the Mirpur Bathoro area of the Sujawal coastal district. It's chieftain, Muhammad Ismail Soho, died of the coronavirus in February. His clan subsequently chose his daughter Heer Ismail Soho, a lawmaker at the provincial assembly of Sindh, as its new chief.
Sindh, where tribalism is rampant, does not have a tradition of women being appointed chiefs of clans. On the contrary, women education and employment rates are low. According to a survey by the Sindh-based Sindh Suhai Sath rights advocacy group, 128 women were killed in the province in 2021 in incidents of honour killing, in which family members believe they are restoring their honour by killing women who have eloped or had an unsanctioned relationship outside marriage.
“This is a huge honour for me but a big challenge as well as I will need to resolve the issues of my community, which lives in the coastal belt mostly and is faced with many problems,” Soho told Arab News in a telephone interview, calling her appointment a “revolution.”
Outlining some of the main problems of her community, she said her top priorities were the provision of drinking and agriculture water and opening of schools.
Soho’s uncle Ghulam Rasool Soho said the decision to choose a woman as the tribal chief was taken because of Soho's leadership qualities and as an attempt to change rigid mindsets in the region.
“Heer is chosen because she is politically active and can better lead and guide the tribe,” Ghulam said. “While a man can lead a tribe, a woman can lead and guide her people in a much better manner.” 




Heer Ismail Soho, a lawmaker at the provincial assembly of Sindh, gestures during a talkshow in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 19, 2022. (@HeerSoho/Twitter)

He said the decision was taken before the death of his brother and had the backing of the tribe’s spiritual leader, Hafiz Ghulam Muhammad Soho, a top cleric in the province who holds massive influence over tribesmen as well in the area's social, political and religious circles.
“My elder brother, Muhammad Ismail Soho, who was the sardar (chief) of the tribe, consulted us brothers before his death and it was our consensus decision to appoint my niece Heer Ismail Soho as the head of the tribe,” Ghulam Rasool said.
Heer will formally assume the title at a condolence reference for her father scheduled to be held after the Eid holiday in May, her uncle said, adding that she would wear the traditional turban, worn by tribal leaders.
Ghulam Rasool said the decision to make Heer the chieftain was also important in the context of the Sindh province, where women were frequently killed for so-called honour and not given their due rights.  
“The selection of a woman as the tribe’s head in Sindh is a blessing and it will set a brilliant tradition for others and change the mindsets,” he said. “Our society and our country will start progressing once we start giving leadership roles to competent woman.”  
Heer, an active political figure, was first elected as a member of the provincial assembly from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party in 2002. She unsuccessfully contested for the national and provincial assemblies in 2008 and 2013 respectively.
In 2018, Heer quit the MQM and joined the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which rules the province, and was nominated as a member of the Sindh Assembly on a seat reserved for women.


Saudi EXIM Bank signs $15m deal with Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah to boost trade

Updated 21 January 2025
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Saudi EXIM Bank signs $15m deal with Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah to boost trade

  • Agreement designed to enhance Kingdom’s exporters access to Pakistani markets
  • In October, businesses from both countries signed agreements worth $2.8 billion

RIYADH: The Saudi Export-Import Bank and Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah have inked a $15 million financing agreement, designed to enhance Kingdom’s exporters access to Pakistani markets and foster stronger trade and economic ties.

The new credit line deal seeks to increase the flow and competitiveness of the Kingdom’s non-oil exports as well as unveil new trade horizons between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

This falls in line with Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with the Kingdom, with the Saudi government reaffirming its commitment in September to fast-track a $5 billion investment package for the Asian country.

This also aligns with Saudi EXIM’s goal of diversifying the Kingdom’s economy by offering financing and insurance products for non-oil exports in support of Vision 2030.

“The agreement comes within the bank’s efforts to strengthen strategic relations with international banks and financial institutions to provide financing solutions that contribute to the development of Saudi non-oil exports and enhance their competitiveness in Pakistani markets, by encouraging importers from Pakistan to import Saudi products and services, which opens up broad prospects for the development of trade and investment between the two countries, and creates more promising trade and investment opportunities,” said General Director of the Finance Department at Saudi EXIM Bank Abdul Latif bin Saud Al-Ghaith.

The Group Head of Corporate, Investment Banking, and International Business at Bank Alfalah, Farooq Ahmed Khan, said: “The agreement between Saudi EXIM Bank and Bank Alfalah Ltd. is a milestone in strengthening trade relations between the Kingdom and Pakistan.”

He added: “The financing line will enable Pakistani companies to access high-quality products in the Kingdom and will also enhance the volume of trade exchange between the two countries. 

“We at Bank Alfalah are proud to play a pivotal role in promoting trade and investment opportunities that are in line with the shared vision to strengthen and grow the economies of both countries.”

In October, Saudi businessmen expressed hope for successful collaborations in Pakistan, saying the country’s economic stability and improved regulatory framework had made it an attractive investment destination, following the signing of over two dozen deals between companies from both nations.


Pakistan condoles loss of lives as Turkiye ski resort fire kills 66

Updated 21 January 2025
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Pakistan condoles loss of lives as Turkiye ski resort fire kills 66

  • Fire erupted overnight in hotel of Turkiye’s Kartalkaya ski resort
  • Pakistan stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Turkiye, says foreign office

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Tuesday condoled over the loss of lives caused by a deadly fire at a ski resort in Turkiye that killed at least 66 people and wounded over 50 others. 

The blaze erupted overnight in the restaurant of the hotel in the famous Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu province on Monday. 

Television footage showed the roof and upper floors of the building engulfed in flames as witnesses and reports indicated that the hotel’s fire detection system had failed to activate. 

As per reports, 234 guests were staying at the hotel when it caught fire.

“The government and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened by the devastating fire at a hotel in the Kartalkaya ski resort in Bolu, Türkiye this morning,” the foreign office said.

“Pakistan extends its heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Türkiye, particularly to the families who have lost their loved ones.”

The foreign office said Pakistan stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Turkiye, reaffirming its solidarity with the nation. 

According to the state-owned Anadolu Agency, Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said four people, including the business owner, were detained over the fire incident.

He said six public prosecutors were assigned to the probe, adding that a team of experts were looking into the cause of the fire.

Kartalkaya, which lies about 295 kilometers east of Istanbul, is one of Turkiye’s premier winter tourism destinations that attracts thousands of visitors every winter.


Pakistan contacting UAE to extradite real estate tycoon accused of graft— state media

Updated 21 January 2025
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Pakistan contacting UAE to extradite real estate tycoon accused of graft— state media

  • State media alleges Malik Riaz Hussain has illegally occupied lands owned by state, private persons
  • Hussain, who is co-accused in land graft case involving former PM Imran Khan, denies wrongdoing

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government is reaching out to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to extradite real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain, the co-accused and proclaimed offender in a land graft case involving former prime minister Imran Khan, on charges of building housing societies on lands he does not legally own, state-run media reported on Tuesday. 

Hussain, currently residing in the UAE, is one of Pakistan’s richest and most powerful businessmen and biggest private employers. He is known for being the chairman of Bahria Town Limited, which calls itself Asia’s largest private estate developer.

The development takes place after a Pakistani court last Friday sentenced Khan to 14 years in prison and his wife, Bushra Khan, to seven years in jail. Both were accused of receiving land as a gift from Hussain during Khan’s premiership from 2018 to 2022 in exchange for illegal favors. 

Khan says he and his wife were merely trustees and did not benefit from the land transaction. Hussain has also denied being involved in any wrongdoing related to the case. 

“The Government of Pakistan is reaching out to the Government of United Arab Emirates for the extradition of Malik Riaz through legal channels,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

Radio Pakistan said Pakistan’s anti-corruption watchdog is conducting an inquiry against Hussain and his accomplices for fraud, deceptive practices and cheating the public at large.

It said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has credible information that Hussain and his accomplices not only illegally possessed and occupied state-owned land but also land belonging to private persons in Karachi, Takht Parri, Rawalpindi and New Murree areas. 

The state broadcaster said Hussain is developing housing societies on these lands 
without obtaining regulatory permissions, accusing him of committing fraud against the state and public amounting to billions of rupees. 

It mentioned that Riaz has recently launched a project to construct luxury apartments in Dubai, warning the public against investing in it. 

“The general public at large is hereby advised and warned to refrain from investing in the stated project,” it said.

“If the general public at large invests in the stated project, their actions would tantamount to money laundering, for which they may face criminal and legal proceedings.”

Hussain has not responded to the latest allegations against him. However, in May 2024, the real estate tycoon took to social media platform X to condemn a raid by NAB at his company’s offices in Pakistan. 

Hussain vowed not to give in to “bullying.” The post, however, was a cryptic one as the real estate developer did not state specifically who was pressurizing him.


Pakistan says it has agreed $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks

Updated 21 January 2025
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Pakistan says it has agreed $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks

  • Loans are short-term with 6 to 7 percent interest rate, says Muhammad Aurangzeb
  • Pakistan aims to boost finances after securing $7 billion IMF bailout in September

DAVOS, Switzerland: Pakistan has agreed terms for a $1 billion loan with two Middle Eastern banks at a 6%-7% interest rate, its Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb told Reuters on Tuesday, as the South Asian country looks for more financing.

“With two institutions we have now gone forward in signing up the term sheet — one bilateral and one for trade (finance),” Aurangzeb said during an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.

The loans were short-term — or up to one year, Aurangzeb added.

Pakistan aims to boost its finances after securing a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout in September 2024, with the first review set for late February.

“We have the first formal review of the EFF coming through toward (the) end of February,” Aurangzeb said. “I do think we are in good stead for that review.”

IMF extended fund facilities (EFFs) provide financial assistance to countries facing serious medium-term balance of payments problems resulting from structural weaknesses that require time to address.


Pakistan invites Cambodian businesses to invest in agriculture, tourism, textile sectors

Updated 21 January 2025
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Pakistan invites Cambodian businesses to invest in agriculture, tourism, textile sectors

  • Commerce Minister Jam Kamal attends inaugural Pakistan-Cambodia Joint Trade Committee in Phnom Penh
  • Pakistan and Cambodia’s bilateral trade of goods and services valued at $45.5 million, says commerce ministry

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan on Tuesday invited Cambodian businesses to explore investment opportunities in the country’s agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals and tourism sectors, his ministry said, as Islamabad eyes foreign investment to ward off a prolonged economic crisis. 

The development took place as both sides took part in the inaugural session of the Pakistan-Cambodia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) in Phnom Penh. 

Khan arrived in Cambodia on Jan. 19 for a three-day official visit to the country to engage in bilateral trade talks amid Islamabad’s push to seek closer trade ties as it targets sustainable economic growth. 

“Pakistan’s Minister for Commerce highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location, growing economy and investment-friendly policies, inviting Cambodian businesses to explore opportunities in agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals and tourism,” Pakistan’s Commerce Ministry said. 

The minister stressed Pakistan’s efforts to improve ease of doing business and its potential as a gateway to key markets in South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East.

The ministry further said Khan and Cambodian Commerce Minister Cham Nimul discussed mutual interests such as trade, health, banking, agriculture, aviation and customs. 

She appreciated the first JTC meeting between the two sides and expressed interest in visiting Pakistan for the second JTC meeting after Khan extended her a formal invitation. 

Nimul called for exploring joint ventures to leverage regional opportunities, highlighting Cambodia’s market access within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, Pakistan’s commerce ministry said. 

“Both countries also expressed interest in MoUs for aviation, banking, and customs cooperation,” the statement said. 

“With bilateral trade currently valued at $45.5 million, both sides acknowledged significant untapped potential and committed to building stronger ties.”

The ministry said both sides will appoint focal persons to expedite negotiations for signing MoUs aimed at enhancing cooperation. 

Additionally, Pakistan and Cambodia also agreed to share trade-related information, organize trade delegations and facilitate their respective business communities.