Famed Pakistani game show, despite bite of inflation, wins record ratings this Ramadan

The picture posted on March 29, 2023, shows Fahad Mustafa, an actor and a TV show host, gesturing during the "Jeeto Pakistan" game show in Karachi, Pakistan. (mustafafahad26/Instagram)
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Updated 16 April 2023
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Famed Pakistani game show, despite bite of inflation, wins record ratings this Ramadan

  • Fahad Mustafa’s “Jeeto Pakistan” is arguably the country’s most popular TV game show
  • Amid soaring inflation, lavish prizes offered by the game show have been downsized

KARACHI: The audience erupted as Fahad Mustafa, one of Pakistan’s premier actors and TV show hosts, rode off the studio stage on a motorbike behind an excited contestant who had just won the two-wheeler.

Mustafa’s show “Jeeto Pakistan,” which translates as “Win Pakistan,” on the ARY Digital channel, is arguably the most avidly watched television game show in the country, with contestants, urged on by rowdy studio audiences, competing for lavish prizes that range from cars, motorcycles and plots of land to gold, cash and vacation packages.

But as Pakistan reels from multi-decade high inflation, even Jeeto Pakistan has suffered. In the run up to the launch of this year’s daily Ramadan edition, both the host and the management of the channel were constantly asked if the show would even take place.

It did — but with downsized prizes and reportedly smaller television advertising and sponsorships, which typically spike during Ramadan but this year have slowed down, along with the economy.

“The challenge we faced was inflation because everyone started asking us if it [the show] was going to take place or not,” Jerjees Seja, the CEO of ARY Digital Network, told Arab News earlier this month.




Jerjees Seja, the CEO of ARY Digital Network, speaks with Arab News Pakistan in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 4, 2023. (AN photo)

And when it did take place, the bills piled on. Motorcycles that used to cost $121 a piece two years ago were now for $347 and the price of gold, which used to be around $138 to $173 per tola (11.66 grams), had now soared to $746 per tola.

“Imagine, we used to play with 50 tolas of gold every day, but now we are playing with 10 tolas.”

Even so, Seja said, the show was still sticking to its philosophy to let people win — and win big.

“Undoubtedly, it’s one of the biggest game shows in the history of Pakistan and the beauty is that we want people to win,” he said. “During Ramadan, every second day, we are giving out gifts worth at least one crore rupees ($34,625).”

Mustafa, who has been hosting the show for a decade, agreed with Seja that inflation had affected the show.

“There are so many brands in our country that shut down due to inflation and [some] were quite associated with our show,” Mustafa told Arab News ahead of the start of a show earlier this month.

“A lot of things stopped being a part of the show. I used to give away six to seven cars in a single show a few years back. This Ramadan, I have hardly managed to gather 15 cars. Earlier, a car used to cost $1,790 to $1,970, but now the same car costs as much as the price of four cars.”

“There have been a lot of challenges,” Mustafa added as a makeup artist applied loose powder to his face. “The campaign I made for this year’s launch was called ‘Hoga Ke Nahi Hoga’ (Will it take place or not) because wherever I would go, everyone asked this [about the show].”




Actor and TV show host of the game show "Jeeto Pakistan," Fahad Mustafa, gestures as he hosts his show in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 4, 2023. (AN photo)

But despite the difficulties, the series has still broken records.

“Getting a massive response this year and breaking records makes me very happy,” Mustafa said. “The show has picked up this year.”

Volunteer Nimra Khan, who helps control the audience, said despite inflation, the show was running at “peak capacity.”

“This year, we have a lot of new games,” she said. “The way inflation is rising, our show is running the same way.”

“Happiness is being spread among people, so that feels very good. People of all backgrounds come and win a lot of things, it feels nice.”

Speaking about rising inflation and poverty in Pakistan, Khan added with a smile:

“There are so many people who are needy. When they win, it feels really great.”


First international flight takes off for Muscat from Pakistan’s Gwadar airport

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First international flight takes off for Muscat from Pakistan’s Gwadar airport

  • China-funded airport opened for commercial operations on Monday after months-long delay
  • Opening in August of $246 million airport postponed due to security fears after separatist attacks

KARACHI: The first international flight took off for Muscat from the China-funded Gwadar airport on Friday with 39 passengers aboard, just days after the facility in southwestern Pakistan began commercial operations after a months-long delay.

A security review, prompted by a string of deadly attacks by separatist militants in the southwestern Balochistan province in August last year, had delayed the airport’s opening to the end of 2024 from Aug. 14. The airport was then due to begin operations on Jan. 10 but finally opened this Monday as a Pakistan International Airlines flight arrived from the southern port city of Karachi.

Pakistan hopes the $246-million Chinese-backed project, which will handle both domestic and international flights, will become one of the country’s largest airports.

“First international flight departs from New Gwadar International Airport to Muscat,” national carrier PIA, which operated the flight, said in a statement, adding that it would initially run one weekly flight to Muscat.

“PIA is committed to activating air operations across the country in line with national aspirations and public needs.”

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said the Gwadar airport would be able to handle A-380 aircraft and accommodate four million passengers annually.

The airport will eventually feature facilities like a cold storage, cargo sheds, hotels and shopping malls, with banking services arranged through the State Bank of Pakistan, according to the PM’s office. PIA has also planned to increase flights between Karachi and Gwadar to three times a week, while discussions are ongoing with private airlines and carriers from China, Oman and the United Arab Emirates to launch both domestic and international services.

China has pledged over $65 billion in infrastructure, energy and other projects in Pakistan under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, the program in Pakistan is also developing a deep-water port close to the new Gwadar airport, a joint venture between Pakistan, Oman and China that is close to completion.

Although no Chinese projects were targeted in the militant attacks in August that delayed the airport’s launch, they have been frequently attacked in the past by separatists who view China as a foreign invader trying to gain control of impoverished but mineral-rich Balochistan, the site of a decades-long insurgency.

Recent attacks, including one in October 2024 in which two Chinese workers were killed in a suicide bombing in Karachi, have forced Beijing to publicly criticize Pakistan over security lapses and media has widely reported in recent months that China wants its own security forces on the ground to protect its nationals and projects, a demand Islamabad has long resisted.


Pakistan, Azerbaijan finalize agreement on arms trade, defense infrastructure, intelligence sharing

Updated 13 min 41 sec ago
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Pakistan, Azerbaijan finalize agreement on arms trade, defense infrastructure, intelligence sharing

  • There have been a series of visits by Azerbaijani officials to Pakistan in recent months
  • Islamabad is seeking closer trade and investment ties with former Soviet republics

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday Islamabad and Baku were in the process of finalizing a memorandum of agreement to enhance security ties through cooperation in arms trade, defense infrastructure and intelligence sharing.

Asif was addressing the eighth session of the Pakistan-Azerbaijan joint commission alongside Azerbaijani Defense Industry Minister Vugar Mustafayev who is visiting Islamabad. 

There have been a series of visits by Azerbaijani officials to Pakistan in recent months, as Islamabad seeks closer ties, especially in trade and investment, with former Soviet republics and Central Asian states. 

Last July, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev visited Pakistan and announced that the two nations were working to increase bilateral trade to $2 billion.

“I’m hopeful that once we finalize our memorandums of understanding on cooperation in the field of the defense industry, we will be able to further our security ties through arms trade, defense infrastructure and sharing of intelligence,” Asif said. 

He invited Azerbaijan to join Pakistan’s Strategic Underground Gas Storage (SUGS), a critical component of energy infrastructure, and the White Oil Pipeline project that transports oil from ports to refineries and other distribution points.

Asif also suggested organizing regular trade exhibitions between the two countries to showcase local products in each other’s markets.

Last December, Pakistan waived customs and regulatory duties on imports from Azerbaijan under the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Preferential Trade Agreement. The agreement aimed to boost economic cooperation by reducing tariffs on goods like Pakistan’s sports equipment, leather, and pharmaceuticals and Azerbaijan’s oil and gas products.


On International Day of Education, Pakistan vows to embrace ‘promise of AI’

Updated 24 January 2025
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On International Day of Education, Pakistan vows to embrace ‘promise of AI’

  • Theme of this year’s International Day of Education is “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation” 
  • Around the world, AI is being increasingly used in education to improve the learning experience for both students and teachers

KARACHI: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, the International Day of Education, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to advancing an education system that embraced the “promise of AI” and supported the country’s youth in thriving in an evolving technological landscape.

The theme of this year’s International Day of Education is “AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation.” Around the world, AI is being increasingly used in education to improve the learning experience for students and teachers. AI can automate tasks, provide real-time feedback, and create personalized learning experiences.

“As AI-driven systems become increasingly integrated into our lives, the boundaries between human intervention and machine-driven actions continue to blur,” Sharif said in a statement.

“This presents both opportunities and challenges, raising the critical question of how we can uphold and enhance human agency amidst the growing tide of automation.”

He said his government recognized the transformative power of education in preparing Pakistan’s youth to thrive in the evolving technological landscape. 

“By fostering critical thinking, innovation, and ethical responsibility, we aim to equip our citizens with the tools not only to adapt to technological changes but to shape them in ways that uphold our values, protect our freedoms, and advance our society,” the PM said. 

He highlighted steps taken in Pakistan to prepare its educational institutions to embrace technological advancements. These initiatives include the establishment of High-Impact IT Labs in ICT degree colleges, Digital Hubs in rural ICT schools, the Google Center of Excellence, SMART Classrooms, and the E-Taleem Portal for blended learning. 

“Additionally, we have introduced E-Rozgar Centers, Software Technology Parks, Robotics and Mind Games programs, and STEAM Labs to foster innovation. It is imperative that our schools are equipped with the latest technologies to equip our children with the requisite skills,” the PM said. 

“On this day, while we reaffirm our resolve to advancing an education system that embraces the promise of AI while safeguarding the essence of human creativity, compassion, and purpose.”


Pakistan rejects Afghanistan’s allegations it hosts Daesh militant camps

Updated 24 January 2025
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Pakistan rejects Afghanistan’s allegations it hosts Daesh militant camps

  • Foreign Office says Afghanistan is a source of “support and logistics” for militant operations against Pakistan
  • Ties between neighbors are strained over surge in militant attacks in Pakistan it blames on Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan on Thursday rejected Afghanistan’s allegations Pakistan was hosting and facilitating Daesh militant camps, calling it “weird propaganda.”

The remarks come in response to allegations by Afghan officials that Pakistan was operating training camps for Daesh fighters and facilitating their movement through the Islamabad and Karachi airports for training in its southwestern Balochistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces with the aim of carrying out militant activities in Afghanistan.

Islamabad also frequently accuses neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks amid a surge in militancy in its KP and Balochistan provinces. The Taliban government in Kabul says it does not allow Afghan soil to be used by militants, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter for Islamabad.

“Frankly, we completely reject these allegations. They are not grounded in reality,” Khan said during a weekly press briefing when asked about the Afghan allegations on Daesh camps. “It’s just some kind of weird propaganda.”

He reiterated Pakistan’s concern over sanctuaries of the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) in Afghanistan, accusing the country of being a source of “support and logistics” for TTP militant operations against Pakistan.

“It couldn’t do without the sanctuaries it’s enjoying in Afghanistan,” Khan added. “And we continue to impress upon the Afghan authorities to address this genuine and serious concern so that our bilateral relations can achieve full potential as good neighbors.”

Islamabad says it has consistently taken up the issue of cross-border attacks with the Taliban administration. The issue has also led to clashes between the border forces of the two countries on multiple occasions in recent months.

In December, the Afghan Taliban said bombardment by Pakistani military aircraft in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province had killed at least 46 people, most of whom were children and women. Just days later, the Afghan defense ministry said Taliban forces targeted “several points” in neighboring Pakistan, further straining tense ties. 

Relations between the two countries have also soured since Pakistan launched a deportation drive in November 2023 against illegal aliens residing in the country. Though Pakistan insists the campaign does not only target Afghans but all those residing in Pakistan unlawfully, it has disproportionately hit Afghans, with at least 800,000 repatriated so far.


Pakistan says Hong Kong conglomerate discussing $1 billion investment in maritime sector

Updated 24 January 2025
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Pakistan says Hong Kong conglomerate discussing $1 billion investment in maritime sector

  • Pakistan maritime affairs minister holds meeting with Hutchison Ports officials
  • Proposal includes upfront $200 million in foreign direct investment for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A Hong Kong-based multinational conglomerate has expressed interest in investing $1 billion in Pakistan’s maritime sector to improve the South Asian nation’s port infrastructure, the maritime ministry said on Thursday.

Hutchison Ports, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, is a leading global port operator and logistics company, operating in 52 ports across 26 countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Australia. It provides container terminal operations, cargo handling, logistics, port management, transportation, and distribution services.

Pakistan’s seaports in Karachi, located along the Arabian Sea, are essential for global trade and provide job opportunities for thousands of citizens. The country has been actively working on restructuring and enhancing its port infrastructure. 

On Thursday, Maritime Affairs Minister Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh held a meeting with a high-level delegation from Hutchison Ports, led by the company’s Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, Andy Tsoi, to discuss the $1 billion investment plan, the maritime affairs ministry said.

“This groundbreaking proposal includes an upfront $200 million Foreign Direct Investment,” the ministry said, adding that the investment would focus on modernizing the Karachi International Container Terminal and South Asia Pakistan Terminals Limited “with advanced automation technologies, enhancing operational efficiency and adopting eco-friendly solutions.”

The plan includes introducing “electrified and remote-control equipment” to reduce carbon emissions and establishing a state-of-the-art warehousing depot for Pakistan’s growing trade sector as well as funding to improve roads around the south wharf to ensure “smooth container traffic flow and boost supply chain efficiency.”

The development comes amid Pakistan’s efforts to boost trade and seek international partnerships to expand maritime activities.

In August 2024, state media reported that Danish shipping firm Maersk was in discussions with local authorities to invest $2 billion in Pakistan’s port and transport infrastructure over the next two years. 

In October last year, the maritime minister signed an agreement with Denmark’s Minister Morten Bodskov to restructure Pakistan’s maritime sector and provide technical training at its ports.