‘Mob attack’ on film set in Pakistan takes mainstream and social media by storm

In this file photo taken on October 12, 2016, Pakistani policemen stand guard in Karachi. (Photo courtesy: AFP/File)
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Updated 08 February 2023
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‘Mob attack’ on film set in Pakistan takes mainstream and social media by storm

  • Incident occurred on Monday evening during shoot of ‘Sajin Mahel,’ directed by Nabeel Qureshi and starring Hira Mani
  • Mani told Arab News armed men entered set in a “pre-planned” attack and beat up crew after director had a spat with neighbors

KARACHI: A “mob” attacked a film set this week while some of Pakistan’s most popular actors were shooting for an upcoming movie in Karachi, the actor in the leading role, Hira Mani, said, while a police report of the incident said five crew members were injured. 

The incident, which has taken Pakistani mainstream and social media by storm, occurred on Monday evening during the shoot of upcoming film ‘Sajin Mahel,’ directed by Nabeel Qureshi, and starring Mani, her husband Salman Saquib (popularly known as Mani) and Gul-e-Rana.

Mani said the attack happened after the film director got into a spat with neighbors who complained about noise from the shoot, which was taking place in a rented property in Karachi’s PIB Colony. An “armed mob” forcibly entered the house, she said, describing it as a “pre-planned” attack by people aiming to disrupt the shooting. 

“They manipulated the policemen sitting outside the premises [by telling them] that something inappropriate was taking place inside,” Mani told Arab News. “They were going to burn us, [they were] chanting ‘Allah O Akbar’.”

The attackers, according to Mani, were demanding to speak directly to Qureshi and the top actors, who were locked up for their protection in a room of the house by the owner, a man identified in a police complaint only by his first name, Shakir.

Calls to the police went unanswered, she added:

“They [attackers] had almost reached the cast when the [paramilitary] Rangers arrived and rescued us after almost an hour.”

According to a copy of the first information, or police, report (FIR) seen by Arab News, producer Ali Hussain said up to 50 people, many of them carrying sticks, barged into the house where the shoot was ongoing and beat up its owner, Shakir, who rents the property for film shoots. The attackers also allegedly beat up crew members and injured five, including one who was hit on the head with a pistol. 

The FIR said several pieces of equipment were stolen from the set, including a 2k light, bulbs, C-stands, avenger stand, 10kg jib weight, set pancake and cables and three mobile phones. 

Arab News heard a sound recording of the incident, shared by a member of the cast, in which women could be heard screaming and shouting. The sounds of blows being exchanged is also heard and Mani is frantically yelling to suspects that there were women and children in the house. 

Mani said three people had been arrested since the complaint was filed. She said this was not the first time that violence had ensued at this particular location, recalling a similar incident last year when Pakistani actor and comedian Yasir Hussain was directing the TV series, “Aik Thi Laila” at the spot.

Speaking to Arab News, Hussain complained that while Shakir rented out the property for large sums for Tv and film shoots, he did not take responsibility for controlling crowds.

During the shooting of “Aik Thi Laila” he said, uninvited entrants on the set fought with the producer when they were asked to leave. Over 100 people subsequently entered and attacked the crew, forcing the team to cancel the shoot twice. The actor said he couldn’t complain at the time since he wasn’t the show’s producer. 

“We wanted to wrap the shoot so we didn’t post any [Instagram] stories either,” Hussain said. “This is quite scary and this needs to end.”

Arab News could not reach the owner of the house, Shakir, or police for comment.


Pakistan among 12 countries records hottest June ever — analysis

Updated 7 sec ago
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Pakistan among 12 countries records hottest June ever — analysis

  • Some 790 million people around Europe, Asia and Africa experienced their hottest June till date
  • For 26 other states, including Britain, China and France, the month was second hottest on record

PARIS: From Nigeria to Japan, Pakistan to Spain, the month of June was the hottest ever recorded in 12 countries and was exceptionally warm in 26 other countries, according to AFP analysis of data from the European monitor Copernicus.

Some 790 million people around Europe, Asia and Africa experienced their hottest June to date. For the residents of 26 other states, including Britain, China, France, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia, the month of June was the second hottest on record.

Heatwaves are more frequent and intense because of global warming, experts say. Here is a roundup of the exceptional heat recorded in June:

An early summer heatwave scorched western and southern Europe at the end of June, bringing sweltering heat to the Paris region in France and parts of Belgium and the Netherlands that are not used to such temperatures.

Around 15 countries, including Switzerland, Italy, and every Balkan state, saw temperatures rise to three degrees Celsius above the June average between 1981 and 2010. Spain, Bosnia, and Montenegro had their hottest June to date.

Japan also had its hottest June on record since data collection began in 1898, with record temperatures logged in 14 cities during a heatwave. The temperature of coastal waters was 1.2°C higher than usual, tying with June 2024 for the highest since data collection began in 1982, the weather agency said on 1 July.

Japan’s summer last year was already the joint hottest on record, equalling the level seen in 2023, followed by the warmest autumn since records began 126 years ago. Japan’s beloved cherry trees are blooming earlier due to the warmer climate, or sometimes not fully blossoming because autumns and winters are not cold enough to trigger flowering, experts say.

South Korea and North Korea also experienced their warmest June since records began. Temperatures in both countries were 2°C higher than the recorded average.

In China, 102 weather stations logged the hottest-ever June day, with some measuring temperatures above 40°C, according to state media.

Temperatures soared to record highs for June in Pakistan, home to a population of 250 million, and in Tajikistan, which has 10 million people. The June records followed an exceptionally hot spring in Central Asia. Several countries including Pakistan and Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan experienced their warmest spring (April-June) ever recorded.

In Nigeria, the world’s sixth most populous country with 230 million people, temperatures rose to June 2024’s record-breaking levels.

Other parts of central and eastern Africa were also exceptionally hot. June was the second hottest month on record after 2024 in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

In South Sudan, temperatures passed the normal June average by 2.1°C, an exceptional deviation from the norm in a region of the world where temperatures tend to be more stable. The impoverished nation plagued by insecurity is ill-equipped to counter increasing environmental disasters and had already struggled with a devastating heatwave in March, typically the hottest month of the year. Students collapsing from the heat in the capital Juba prompted the government to close schools and order citizens to remain at home.

“Extreme weather and climate change impacts are hitting every single aspect of socio-economic development in Africa and exacerbating hunger, insecurity and displacement,” warned the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in May.


Pakistan, Afghanistan discuss trade, security and connectivity amid thaw in ties

Updated 32 min 30 sec ago
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Pakistan, Afghanistan discuss trade, security and connectivity amid thaw in ties

  • Relations between the neighbors were strained by a spike in militancy in Pakistan and Islamabad’s expulsion of Afghan refugees
  • Both sides recognize security as a cornerstone for both the region’s development as well as for further advancement of bilateral ties

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Afghan officials on Monday met in Islamabad to discuss trade, visa, security, connectivity and refugee issues, amid a thaw in relations between the two neighbors.

Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have been strained by a spike in militancy in Pakistan’s western regions that border Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021. Islamabad says anti-Pakistan militants carry out cross-border attacks using safe havens in Afghanistan, a charge Kabul denies.

Another source of tension has been Pakistan’s drive to expel Afghans, which first began in Nov. 2023. Pakistan this year said it wanted 3 million Afghans to leave the country, including 1.4 million people with Proof of Registration cards and some 800,000 with Afghan Citizen Cards. There are a further 1 million Afghans in the country illegally because they have no paperwork, according to officials.

The two sides on Monday held an inaugural round of the additional secretary-level talks, pursuant to decisions reached during the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Kabul in April, during which he held meetings with top Afghan leadership that encompassed peace and security, people-to-people contacts, and trade and economic cooperation.

“Both sides recognized terrorism as a serious threat to regional peace and security. The Pakistani side emphasized the need for concrete actions against terrorist groups operating on Afghan soil, noting that such groups undermine Pakistan’s security and hinder regional development,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

 “The two sides exchanged views on deepening trade and transit cooperation. They reviewed the implementation status of measures announced during the visit of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan to Kabul for facilitating Afghan transit trade, including the removal of a 10 percent processing fee, provision of an insurance guarantee, reduction in scanning and examination, and operationalization of the track and trace system.”

The Pakistani side was led by Additional Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia, Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani, while the Afghan side was led by Director-General of the First Political Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor.

They underlined the importance of enhanced regional connectivity as a catalyst for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

“Noting the strategic significance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway in that regard, they agreed to make concerted efforts toward the early finalization of the Framework Agreement,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

The 850-kilometer-long railway connectivity project aims to link Central Asia with Pakistan’s southern ports of Gwadar and Karachi through Afghanistan to improve trade access for landlocked countries and strengthen economic integration across the region.

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said the two sides stressed the need to resolve the “issues of Afghan prisoners and refugees in Pakistan and facilitate the provision of visas to Afghan patients and businessmen.”

“Pakistan side shared an overview of its efforts to facilitate documented travel from Afghanistan, notably through the issuance of over 500,000 visas since January 2024 to date across a range of categories such as medical, tourist, business, and study. Both sides agreed to work together to further strengthen the legal movement of individuals across borders,” Islamabad’s foreign ministry said.

Both sides assured of continued mutual communication and cooperation to address current challenges and described security as important for regional development and further strengthening bilateral relations, according to the two foreign ministries.

They decided to convene the next round of the additional secretary-level talks at mutually convenient dates.


Three children drown in Rawalpindi pond as Punjab issues fresh flood warning

Updated 07 July 2025
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Three children drown in Rawalpindi pond as Punjab issues fresh flood warning

  • Urban floods in Chenab, Jhelum and Ravi rivers may affect Lahore, Sialkot and Rawalpindi
  • Heavy rains have killed at least 75 Pakistanis so far and injured 130 in less than two weeks

ISLAMABAD: Three children drowned in a pond in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi district despite a complete ban, authorities said on Monday, as the country’s most populous Punjab province issued a fresh flood warning till July 9.

The latest deaths bring the overall toll from rains and flash floods in Pakistan to at least 75, with another 130 injured in incidents such as electrocutions, house collapses, landslides and drownings since June 26.

The three children, aged between six and 10 years, drowned while bathing in the pond in Kallar Syedan area, according to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

“There is a complete ban on bathing in rivers, canals, streams and rainwater drains,” the PDMA said. “Parents are requested to take care of their children and never let them bathe in canals, ponds and rivers.”

Expressed grief over the loss of lives, Punjab PDMA chief Irfan Ali Kathia directed authorities ensure financial assistance to affected families and ordered them to increase patrolling around rivers and ensure the enforcement of Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings for safety, in addition to informing citizens of the temporary ban through pamphlets, notice boards and mosque announcements.

The development came as the provincial disaster authority warned of possible urban floods in Punjab’s Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Rawalpindi divisions.

“There is a possibility of an unusual increase in the water level in the rivers of Punjab from July 7 till July 9,” the PDMA said, warning of possible deluges in Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi rivers and tributaries.

A high-level flood warning was issued for the Chenab river at Marala, while a medium to high-level flood warning was issued for the Ravi river and in Chenab tributaries, including Bahin, Basantar, Deg, Aik, Palkhu, Bhimber, Halsi and Dora.

Kathia directed authorities to stay vigilant and complete preparations in line with the Punjab chief minister’s orders, according to the PDMA.

Rescue 1122 and emergency control room staff have been placed on high alert, with instructions to ensure fuel availability, evacuate vulnerable areas and set up fully equipped relief camps.

Citizens have been urged to follow safety guidelines, cooperate with authorities during evacuations and contact the PDMA at helpline, 1129, in case of emergency.

Last week, a deadly flash flood in the scenic Swat Valley, caused by a sudden rise in water levels due to monsoon rains, killed 13 tourists.

Pakistan, home to over 240 million people, is consistently ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains and glacier melt caused catastrophic floods that affected 33 million people and killed more than 1,700.


Pakistani finmin ties tariff overhaul to $44.9 billion export target in FY26 budget

Updated 07 July 2025
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Pakistani finmin ties tariff overhaul to $44.9 billion export target in FY26 budget

  • The development comes weeks after Pakistan unveiled its tariff policy to enhance its exports to $44.9 billion this fiscal year
  • Separately, the finance adviser announces an early retirement of Rs500 billion loan owed by the government to the central bank

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has stressed the significance of sustained tariff reform as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s trade policy, the finance ministry said on Monday, as the country aims to boost exports, streamline imports and maintain a sustainable current account deficit.

The statement came after Aurangzeb chaired a meeting of a steering committee for the implementation of the National Tariff Policy, which aims to create a predictable, transparent and investment-friendly tariff structure by facilitating duty-free access to raw materials, phasing out additional customs and regulatory duties, and supporting nascent and green industries to pave the way for innovation, employment generation and sustained economic growth.

Pakistan has set an export target of $44.9 billion in the budget for this fiscal year that began on July 1, with $35.3 billion for goods and $9.6 billion for services sector. The government has proposed a target of $65.2 billion for goods imports, while it expects the imports of services to reach $14 billion, with the overall import volume significantly higher than export figures.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting, the finance minister highlighted that the steering committee was continuously monitoring progress of the tariff policy implementation, state of the country’s foreign exchange reserves, and guiding the transition of domestic industry, according to the finance ministry.

“The National Tariff Policy represents a five-year roadmap toward liberalizing trade, fostering export-led growth, and enhancing industrial competitiveness,” he was quoted as saying by the ministry.

During the meeting, the National Tariff Commission (NTC) outlined its pivotal role in safeguarding domestic industry through rational tariff structuring and trade remedy actions against unfair trade practices, including dumping, subsidized imports and harmful import surges.

The commission apprised the participants of its efforts to bolster institutional capacity, including organizational reforms, targeted technical training, automation of internal processes, establishment of a dedicated facilitation center for exporters, and initiatives to enhance legal and analytical capabilities to strengthen service delivery.

The finance minister urged the commission to ensure a level playing field for local producers, with the participants resolving to fully implement the National Tariff Policy to reinforce Pakistan’s trade competitiveness and industrial development.

Pakistan, currently bolstered by a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, unveiled the tariff policy last month to enable local industries to “scale, compete globally and shift toward higher value-added exports.” Key sectors expected to benefit include textiles, engineering, pharmaceuticals and information technology, with the policy designed to lower production costs and attract businesses.

Separately, Khurram Schehzad, an adviser to the finance minister, said the government had retired Rs500 billion ($1.7 billion) loan to the central bank early, with the overall early paydowns reaching Rs1.5 trillion.

“Early debt retirement while converting shorter-tenure with longer-tenure debt, significantly reduces concentration risk, lowers future liabilities, and strengthens the country’s macroeconomic foundations by curbing reliance on borrowing,” he said on X.

“This latest achievement builds on an earlier milestone — the successful buyback of PKR 1 trillion in market debt completed by December 2024 — the first such operation in Pakistan’s history. Combined, these two strategic actions amount to the early retirement of PKR 1.5 trillion in public debt in FY25, sending a strong signal of economic confidence and reform.”

He said these early repayments and smart refinancing, capitalizing on the significant decline in interest rates with the government’s disciplined borrowing, led to a staggering Rs830 billion in interest cost savings in the outgoing fiscal year that ended on June 30.


Pakistan officials in Dubai for two-day exchange on innovation in governance, service delivery 

Updated 07 July 2025
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Pakistan officials in Dubai for two-day exchange on innovation in governance, service delivery 

  • Visit aims to boost cooperation with UAE on governance, competitiveness, reform
  • Pakistan, UAE share longstanding ties underpinned by strong people-to-people ties

ISLAMABAD: A senior delegation of Pakistani government officials is in Dubai this week to participate in a two-day experience exchange program aimed at learning from the UAE’s governance and public sector innovation models, Pakistan’s embassy in Abu Dhabi said on Monday.

The program, running from July 8–9, includes sessions with various UAE ministries and authorities and focuses on innovative approaches to public service delivery, competitiveness, and institutional reform. The initiative comes as Islamabad seeks to modernize its public sector and strengthen economic cooperation with the Gulf nation.

On the sidelines of the visit, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, met on Monday with Abdulla Nasser Lootah, UAE Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in governance, reform, and digital public services.

“The Ambassador extended appreciation to the UAE Government for hosting a visiting delegation of senior Pakistani government officials,” the embassy said in a statement after Tirmizi’s meeting with Lootah.

The envoy also conveyed his gratitude on behalf of the Pakistani delegation “for the opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue” with UAE colleagues. 

He also praised the Emirates for fostering “a model of inclusive development and harmony that embraces people from across the world, including the large and vibrant Pakistani diaspora.”

The ambassador noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had shown “strong interest in learning from the UAE’s successful tax automation systems to enhance Pakistan’s domestic tax collection capacity” and had directed the visiting team to fully benefit from the opportunity for knowledge-sharing.

For his part, Lootah reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to “seamless cooperation with Pakistan,” particularly in governance and innovation, the embassy statement said. He also stressed Pakistan’s potential across multiple sectors and said mutual learning could help both countries develop forward-looking policy solutions.

Pakistan and the UAE share longstanding ties underpinned by strong people-to-people connections.

More than 1.8 million Pakistanis live and work in the Emirates, which is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and the second-largest source of remittances after Saudi Arabia.