Pakistani girl eyes Olympic glory after winning gold at Saudi national games

Pakistani expatriate girl Sarooj Sajid Hussain is plays table tennis at the Saudi Ministry of Health Open Tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 16, 2021. (Photo courtesy: Sajid Hussain)
Short Url
Updated 14 November 2022
Follow

Pakistani girl eyes Olympic glory after winning gold at Saudi national games

  • The inaugural games aimed to provide a platform for athletes to excel, demonstrate the Kingdom's ability to host mega events
  • Sarooj Sajid Hussain, who started playing table tennis at the age of 7, represented army at various events in her home country

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani expatriate girl, who won a gold medal in the prestigious Saudi Games this month, on Monday said she now aimed to win medals for Pakistan at the Olympics and other international competitions, hailing the Kingdom for providing the opportunity to expatriates to participate in the national event.




Pakistani expatriate girl Sarooj Sajid Hussain poses with her gold medal at the Saudi Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 7, 2022. (Courtesy: Sajid Hussain) 

The inaugural Saudi Games, held in Riyadh from October 27 till November 7, aimed to provide a platform for athletes to excel to their best potential, inspire youth and demonstrate the Kingdom's ability to host mega events. The games came as part of the Vision 2030 program which, among other things, also places significant emphasis on sports and physical activities to produce a new generation of athletes.  

More than 6,000 athletes, with 2,000 supervisors, from over 200 clubs in the Kingdom competed in 45 sporting events, including five Paralympics events, in the 11-day Saudi national games. Saudi authorities also allowed children of expatriates, who were born in the Kingdom, to participate in the games. 

“It is indeed an amazing feeling to become the first Pakistani to win a gold medal in the Saudi Games,” Sarooj Sajid Hussain, 16, told Arab News, in an interview over the phone from Al-Khobar on Monday. 

“My next aim is to represent Pakistan and win medals for my country in the Olympics and other international competitions.”  




Pakistani expatriate girl Sarooj Sajid Hussain (middle) can be seen on the victory podium after winning gold medal at the Saudi Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 7, 2022. (Courtesy: Sajid Hussain)

Inspired by her elder brother, Hussain, a student of the Pakistan International School in Al-Khobar, started playing table tennis at the age of seven and has previously won three medals in different competitions in the Kingdom.  

The young Pakistani expatriate represents the Al-Nahda Club, where she has been training for the last three years. 

She thanked Saudi authorities for providing an opportunity to her despite being an expatriate: “Saudi Arabia is changing now where not only Saudi women but expatriate women are also getting equal opportunities.”  

Hussain said she started training "very hard" after the announcement by the Saudi government that overseas athletes who were born in the Kingdom could also participate in the games. 

“There were 16 girls from top Saudi clubs in the main round of the tournament and I won a gold medal and one million riyals in cash prize,” she told Arab News. 




CaptionPakistani expatriate girl Sarooj Sajid Hussain (second right) poses with her gold medal with other winners at the Saudi Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 7, 2022. (Courtesy: Sajid Hussain)

About her journey, the young Pakistani girl said her father supported her and bought a table for her to practice the game. 

“Three years ago, I got a chance to play for Al-Nahda Club, where my brother used to play, and then after seeing my potential the club enrolled me and I practiced with their coaches,” she said.  

In Pakistan, Hussain represented the army and won medals in different national events. 

Her father, Sajid Hussain, came to Saudi Arabia from Faisalabad some 24 years ago to teach physics at Mohammad Al-Mana College of Health Sciences in Al-Khobar.  

Sajid said the contributions of women in every field had brought about a "revolution" in the Kingdom. 

“Basically, nations build if women are empowered and now, I can see a visible change in the Kingdom that girls and women are doing splendid jobs in every walk of life,” he told Arab News. 

"I think it’s a revolution." 

Sajid hailed the Saudi government for giving women the opportunity to come forward and play a positive role in the society.  

“Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has taken a very wise step by opening doors to everyone,” he added. 

"He has given confidence to his youth and now it depends on the people how they utilize this opportunity." 

Hussain's mother, Rehana Sajid, who is a chemistry teacher at the Pakistan International School, said it was a difficult task to create a balance between her sports and studies, but they succeeded due to coordinated efforts. 

“It was the hard work of her father who arranged a club and daily drove her there despite a challenging job. I was responsible for her studies which I managed after she came back from practice,” Rehana told Arab News.  

“I am very happy and grateful to the Almighty that with my husband's support, Sarooj could secure this medal.”


Pakistan army warns of decades-long ‘consequences’ if India blocks Indus waters

Updated 7 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan army warns of decades-long ‘consequences’ if India blocks Indus waters

  • Pakistani military says it is committed to US-brokered ceasefire after recent cross-border strikes
  • It warns of a high potential for renewed conflict if the core issue, Kashmir, remains unaddressed

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Pakistani military warns that any Indian attempt to follow through on recent threats to cut Islamabad’s share of the Indus River water system would trigger consequences lasting for generations, as tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors are running high.

New Delhi unilaterally suspended a decades-old water-sharing agreement with its nuclear-armed neighbor last month, as it blamed Pakistan for a deadly militant attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir — Islamabad denied any involvement.

The incident was followed by days of cross-border fire as India launched on May 6 a series of strikes across the Line of Control — the de facto border that separates the Indian-controlled and Pakistani-controlled parts of the disputed Kashmir territory. It also hit other sites on the Pakistani mainland, targeting what it claimed were militant positions.

Pakistan retaliated with strikes on Indian military targets before a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on May 10. Despite the ceasefire, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this week that his country would stop the water from flowing — a move Pakistan has earlier said was a direct threat to its survival and an act of war.

Brokered by the World Bank, the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty has withstood multiple Indian-Pakistani wars. If India weaponizes water and blocks the flow of an Indus River tributary — vital to Pakistan’s food security — its military says it will act.

“I hope that time doesn’t come, but it will be such actions that the world will see and the consequences of that we will fight for years and decades to come. Nobody dares stop water from Pakistan,” Maj. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson of the Pakistan Armed Forces, told Arab News on Friday.

“It is some madman who can think that he can stop water of 240 million plus people of this country.”

India’s recent attacks have killed 40 civilians, including 22 women and children, according to Pakistan’s official figures. As Pakistan retaliated, it hit 26 Indian military targets. It stopped the retaliatory strikes as soon as the ceasefire was reached.

“Pakistan armed forces are a professional armed forces and we adhere to the commitments that we make, and we follow in letter and spirit the instructions of the political government and the commitments that they hold,” Chaudhry said.

“As far as Pakistan army is concerned, this ceasefire will hold easily and there have been confidence building measures in communication between both the sides.”

Both countries have already blamed each other for violating the ceasefire multiple times since it took effect.

“If any violation occurs, our response is always there ... but it is only directed at those posts and those positions from where the violations of the ceasefire happen. We never target the civilians. We never target any civil infrastructure,” Chaudhry said.

According to the Pakistani military, India has lost six airplanes and an S-400 air defense system — Russia’s most advanced surface to air missile system — in the four-day conflict. Among the downed warplanes were several French aircraft Rafale.

Earlier reports suggested India had lost five fighter jets, but Pakistan’s prime minister announced earlier this week that there were six.

“I can confirm that the sixth aircraft is a Mirage 2000,” Chaudhry said. “We only targeted the aircraft ... We could have taken out more, but we showed restraint.”

Satellite photos captured after India’s strikes on May 6, show significant damage to multiple Pakistani air bases. High-resolution images from Maxar Technologies show large craters on runways and destruction of hangars and support structures at these facilities.

(COMBO, L-R) The combinations of handout satellite images courtesy of Maxar Technologies created on May 12, 2025, shows ​​​​​​(top) a structure at Bholari Air Base in northern Thatta District on April 27, 2025, Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi on April 25, 2025, and Pakistan Air Force base Mushaf in Sargodha April 30, 2025, and (bottom) damaged buildings and runway on May 10-11, 2025. (AFP/ Satellite Image ©2025 Maxar Technologies)

Chaudhry said that despite damage to infrastructure, they remained active: “There are ways through which Pakistan Air Force immediately sets these bases operational — they are all operational.”

He warned of a high potential for renewed conflict despite the ceasefire, as long as the core issue, Kashmir, remains unaddressed.

Predominantly Muslim, Kashmiri territory has been the subject of international dispute since the 1947 partition of the Indian subcontinent into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. Both countries claim Kashmir in full, and rule in part.

Indian-administered Kashmir has for decades witnessed outbreaks of separatist insurgency to resist control from the government in New Delhi.

In 2019, the Indian government revoked the region’s constitutional semi-autonomy and downgraded it from a state to a union territory under New Delhi’s direct control.

Indian officials have repeatedly said that the move aimed at tackling separatism and bringing economic development and peace to Kashmir.

“Their policy on Kashmir — of oppression and trying to internalize it — is not working,” Chaudhry said.

“Till the time Indians don’t sit and talk about Kashmir, then (as) two countries we sit, and we find a solution to it, the conflict potential is there.”


Pakistani companies showcase precious gemstones, minerals at international expo in China

Updated 18 May 2025
Follow

Pakistani companies showcase precious gemstones, minerals at international expo in China

  • Around 10 Pakistani companies are taking part in China Nanjing (International) Mineral, Gemstone & Fossil Expo
  • Pakistani exhibitors present emeralds, tourmalines, topaz, quartz, aquamarine and marble specimens 

ISLAMABAD: Around 10 Pakistani gems and minerals companies are showcasing their specimens at the ongoing China Nanjing (International) Mineral, Gemstone & Fossil Expo to prospective buyers, state-run media reported this week.

The third edition of the expo, which is being held from May 15-19 in the Chinese city of Nanjing, has attracted over 500 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report on Saturday. Various companies from around the world have displayed minerals, gemstones, fossils, and meteorites at the exhibition. 

“Pakistani exhibitors are presenting a dazzling array of emeralds, tourmalines, topaz, morganite, quartz, aquamarine, pyrite, marble and onyx specimens from regions such as Gilgit Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” APP reported. 

It cited a report from Chinese business news website China Economic Net as saying that Pakistani specimens have attracted “significant interest” from international buyers and collectors at the expo. 

Pakistan has significant gemstone reserves, particularly in its northern and northwestern regions, which include a variety of high-quality stones such as peridot, aquamarine, topaz, ruby, and emerald.
There are 18 types of gemstones in Pakistan for which 178 major mining licenses have been issued. 

“Pakistan possesses extraordinary geological treasures, and our trade ties with China are expanding beyond gemstones to industrial minerals,” Ghulam Mustafa, an exhibitor representing the Fine Art Minerals company, told APP. 

“The response to our display has been phenomenal. Visitors are truly impressed by Pakistan’s natural wealth,” he added. 

Muhammad Sadiq from Fine Nagar Gems and Minerals company returned to this year’s exhibition with a larger collection of specimens. 

“Last year feedback was incredibly positive and we are very optimistic about this year sales and orders,” Sadiq said. 

Pakistan hosted an international minerals summit in Islamabad last month. The summit aimed to attract foreign investment in the country’s mining sector, seeing participation from major international companies including Canada-based Barrick Gold and government officials from the United States, Saudi Arabia, China, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, Azerbaijan and other nations. 

Islamabad hopes it can export its precious gemstones and minerals as it eyes sustainable economic growth driven largely by exports. 


Karachi beat Peshawar by 23 runs as PSL returns with glitzy ceremony

Updated 18 May 2025
Follow

Karachi beat Peshawar by 23 runs as PSL returns with glitzy ceremony

  • Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam scores 94 runs from 49 balls in Zalmi’s chase attempt 
  • Pop stars Sahir Ali Bagga and Asrar Shah enthralled fans as PSL returned after May 9 

ISLAMABAD: Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam’s 94-run innings came to naught as his team lost to Karachi Kings at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium by 23 runs on Saturday, as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) marked its return with a glitzy ceremony. 

The PSL was suspended on May 9 due to hostilities between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan. However, as both countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced the league would resume on May 17. 

Kings captain David Warner led the scoreboard, scoring a fiery 86-run inning from 50 balls while James Vince smashed 72 runs from 42 deliveries. Khushdil Shah contributed with an impressive 43 runs from 15 balls as the Kings piled on 237-4 at the end of 20 overs. 

“Match 27 Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi,” the PCB said in a statement. “Karachi Kings won by 23 runs.”

Former Pakistan captain Azam scored 94 runs from 49 balls, hitting four sixes in his innings before he got run out. Explosive opener Saim Ayub provided Zalmi with a strong start, scoring 47 runs from 31 balls while Tom Kohler-Cadmore chipped in with 20 runs from 15 balls. 

PSL’s return after a week saw Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir watch the match live at the Rawalpindi stadium. 

Pakistani pop stars Sahir Ali Bagga and Asrar Shah performed to enthrall the audience and pay tribute to the country’s armed forces before fans enjoyed a spectacle of fireworks at the stadium. 


Pakistan says eyeing transit hub role to connect South, Central Asian economies

Updated 18 May 2025
Follow

Pakistan says eyeing transit hub role to connect South, Central Asian economies

  • Pakistan Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan attends Kazan trade and investment forum in Russia 
  • Minister says Islamabad wants to increase landlocked Central Asian countries’ access to warm waters for trade 

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has said that Islamabad aims to emerge as a key transit hub connecting the economies of South and Central Asia, state-run media reported on Sunday. 

Pakistan has been working to strengthen its position as a key trade and transit hub, connecting landlocked Central Asian states to the global market through its strategic location. Last year saw a surge in visits, investment discussions and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian nations as well as Gulf countries. 

Khan was speaking at the “Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum” being held from May 13-18 in the country’s Kazan region. This forum is the main platform for economic cooperation between Russia and Islamic countries as per its website. 

“Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan says Pakistan aims to emerge as a key transit hub, bridging the economies of South Asia and Central Asia,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. 

Addressing the closing session of the Kazan Forum, Khan noted the Gwadar Port in southwestern Pakistan has already started shipment and cargo services. He added that Islamabad intends to facilitate landlocked Central Asia’s access to warm waters.

Khan spoke about Pakistan’s strategic plans to connect its Karachi, Quetta and Gwadar cities with Central Asia and Europe through road networks. 

“Abdul Aleem Khan welcomed the holding of the Kazan Forum and reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to playing an active role in regional development,” the report said. 

Pakistan’s recent push to engage Central Asian countries and the Middle East takes place as Islamabad seeks to escape a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that has drained its country of financial resources and weakened its balance of payment position and currency. 

Islamabad has sought to attract international investment in key economic sectors since it narrowly avoided a sovereign default in 2023 before a last-gasp International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout helped it avoid that. 


Pakistan, Iran agree to enhance trade and security cooperation

Updated 18 May 2025
Follow

Pakistan, Iran agree to enhance trade and security cooperation

  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian discuss bilateral cooperation over phone 
  • Sharif thanks Iranian president for Tehran’s role in defusing South Asia tensions between India and Pakistan 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian this week agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, security and connectivity between the two countries, a statement from Sharif’s office said. 

Pakistan and Iran have had a history of rocky relations despite several commercial pacts, with Islamabad being historically closer to Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Their highest profile agreement is a stalled gas supply deal signed in 2010 to build a pipeline from Iran’s South Fars gas field to Pakistan’s southern provinces of Balochistan and Sindh. Pakistan and Iran are also often at odds over instability on their shared porous border, with both countries routinely trading blame for not rooting out militancy.

“They agreed to enhance cooperation in all areas of shared interest, especially trade, connectivity, security and people-to-people contacts,” the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said regarding a phone call between Sharif and Pezeshkian on Saturday. 

It said the Iranian president invited Sharif to undertake an official visit to Tehran, which the Pakistani premier accepted. 

The two officials also discussed Pakistan’s recent conflict with India, which saw at least 70 killed on both sides last week. India and Pakistan attacked each other with drones, missiles, artillery fire and fighter jets before Washington brokered a ceasefire between the two countries on May 10. 

Sharif thanked Pezeshkian for Iran’s “sincere and brotherly diplomatic efforts” to defuse tensions in South Asia. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s “firm resolve” to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.

“The Prime Minister emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained the root cause of instability in South Asia. He called for its just resolution, in accordance with the UN Security Council’s resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, as key to enduring peace in the region,” the statement said.