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Aviation authority says Hajj flights departed, others delayed temporarily after fire at Lahore airport

In this photo, posted by the Facebook page AviaBulletin, airport rescue workers attempt to extinguish a fire at the check-in counters of Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore on May 9, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Facebook/AviaBulletin)
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Updated 09 May 2024
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Aviation authority says Hajj flights departed, others delayed temporarily after fire at Lahore airport

  • CAA says fire caused by short-circuiting in record room of immigration department
  • Pakistan launched its Hajj flight operations on Thursday, with 11 flights to Madinah
Updated 09 May 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said on Thursday four Hajj flights scheduled to fly in the morning departed despite a fire caused by short-circuiting at an airport in the eastern city of Lahore, but other flights were facing temporary delays. 

A CAA spokesperson said the fire broke out due to a short circuit in the record room of the immigration department at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP), which it said was quickly brought under control and immediate evacuation measures taken.

“All four Hajj flights operated by Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue and Air Sial departed on time from the domestic departure,” CAA Spokesperson Saif Ullah told Arab News. “Passengers were shifted immediately from international to domestic terminal.”

Pakistan launched its Hajj flight operations on Thursday, with 11 flights scheduled to arrive in Madinah from five major Pakistani cities, including Lahore. 

In a separate statement later in the day, the CAA said the fire incident at Lahore airport had temporarily disrupted flight operations, particularly to international destinations. 

“As a result, there may be delays, cancelations, or rescheduling of flights,” the statement said. “We advise all passengers to contact their respective airlines, before leaving for the airport, for the latest updates on flight schedules and any alternative arrangements that may be in place.”

Earlier, a CAA statement said the situation at the airport was gradually returning to normal and no casualties had been reported.

Several Pakistani media outlets reported that the fire had damaged the immigration system partially, after which the immigration process was halted. Airport authorities also evacuated several passengers from the international terminal due to heavy smoke that filled the area. 

Topics: Lahore airport Hajj flights Lahore airport fire

Pakistan PM extends felicitations to Christian community on Christmas

Updated 22 sec ago
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Pakistan PM extends felicitations to Christian community on Christmas

  • Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of Israel’s war on Gaza
  • Celebrations were subdued elsewhere too, with scores of Syrian Christians protesting the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama
Updated 22 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday extended his heartfelt felicitations to Christians in Pakistan and around the world on the joyous occasion of Christmas, his office said.
On Tuesday, Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of Israel’s war on Gaza. The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found, with the festive lights, Christmas trees and foreign tourists missing.
Celebrations were subdued elsewhere too. Scores of Syrian Christians protested on Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.”
In his statement, PM Sharif urged people to reflect on the message of peace, brotherhood, and love for all humanity by Prophet Jesus, and to adopt the enduring values such as compassion, kindness, mercy and wisdom to seek divine mercy.
“On this day, we also pay tribute to the invaluable contributions made by our Christian brethren to the progress and stability of the country, particularly in the fields of education, health care, and nation-building,” he said.
“The government of Pakistan remains firmly committed to safeguarding the rights of all religious communities and fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.”
According to the latest digital census conducted last year, over 96 percent of Pakistan’s population is Muslim, with the remaining four percent comprising 5.2 million Hindus, 3.3 million Christians, 15,992 Sikhs and others.
Religiously motivated Pakistani ultra-conservative groups have conducted attacks on Pakistani minorities. There have been dozens of instances of mob violence against religious minorities in the South Asian nation in recent years, including an attack on Christians in Jaranwala, a town in Punjab province, where churches, homes and businesses were set ablaze in August 2023.
Sharif vowed his government would continue to ensure that people of all faiths could practice their beliefs freely and contribute to the collective progress of the nation.
“May this Christmas bring joy and blessings to every home, and may the coming year be filled with hope, peace, and success for our beloved country and its people,” he said. “Merry Christmas!“

Topics: Pakistan christian community Christmas 2024 Chirstmas

Multan to host back-to-back cricket Tests between Pakistan and West Indies next month

Updated 24 December 2024
AP
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Multan to host back-to-back cricket Tests between Pakistan and West Indies next month

  • Multan has been the only option for Pakistan to host matches, with stadiums in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi being upgraded for Champions Trophy
  • It will be West Indies’ first Test series in Pakistan for more than 18 years, although both nations played a Test series in the United Arab Emirates
Updated 24 December 2024
AP

ISLAMABAD: Multan will host back-to-back Tests when Pakistan plays the West Indies next month, the domestic cricket board said on Tuesday.
With stadiums in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi being upgraded for February’s Champions Trophy, it has left the Pakistan Cricket Board with Multan as the only option to host the two-Test series against the West Indies.
England also played back-to-back Tests in Multan in October because of the renovation work in Karachi and Lahore.
The West Indies squad arrives on Jan. 6 and will play a three-day warm-up game in Rawalpindi against Pakistan Shaheens. The first Test is held from Jan. 17-21 and the second starts on Jan. 25.
It will be West Indies’ first Test series in Pakistan for more than 18 years, although both nations played a Test series in the United Arab Emirates in 2016 when UAE was Pakistan’s home venue.
West Indies named uncapped batter Amir Jangoo in its 15-strong squad after he smashed a century on his ODI debut against Bangladesh earlier this month.
Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie returns to the fold after missing the two Tests against Bangladesh last month because he was playing in the inaugural Global Super League.
Kevin Sinclair and Jomel Warrican are the other spin options in the squad.
West Indies is without fast bowler Shamar Joseph, who is suffering from shin splints. Alzarri Joseph is also unavailable because of his commitments with International League T20 in the UAE.
“Motie rejoins the squad to bolster the spin attack, while Jangoo’s selection comes on the back of his consistency across formats in regional cricket, as well as his demonstrated high level of competency against spin bowling,” head coach Andre Coley said.
The series is part of the World Test Championship. Pakistan is seventh in the standings while rock-bottom West Indies is ninth.
West Indies squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Jayden Seales, Jomel Warrican.

Topics: Multan cricket stadium Pakistan cricket Pakistan vs West Indies

Pakistan defends military court sentencing of civilians after US, UK and EU voice concerns

Updated 24 December 2024
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Pakistan defends military court sentencing of civilians after US, UK and EU voice concerns

  • Pakistan’s military on Dec. 21 announced the sentencing of 25 civilians for partaking in violent protests in May last year
  • The US, UK and EU said the verdicts were ‘inconsistent’ with Pakistan’s international obligations and lacked ‘transparency’
Updated 24 December 2024
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday defended the recent sentencing of 25 civilians by military courts for partaking in violent protests last year, dismissing concerns expressed by the United States (US), United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) regarding Islamabad’s global human rights obligations.
Pakistan’s military on Dec. 21 announced the sentencing of 25 people to “rigorous imprisonment” of two to 10 years for participating in violent protests on May 9, 2023, when hundreds carrying flags of former prime minister Imran Khan’s party attacked government and military installations.
The protests erupted after Khan’s brief detention on corruption charges, resulting in damage to major military facilities and martyrs’ monuments in the country. Khan’s party challenges the military’s version, denying it was involved in the violence and calling the May 9 incident a “false flag” operation aimed at crushing it.
The EU said on Sunday the sentencing was “inconsistent” with Pakistan’s international obligations and every person was entitled to a “fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent.” The US and the UK joined the EU in expressing concern over the convictions, with the State Department saying on Monday the Pakistani military courts lacked “judicial independence and due process guarantees.”
“Pakistan’s legal system is consistent with international human rights law including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It has remedies of judicial review by the superior courts and guarantees promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.
“Pakistan is fully committed to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations.”
The Foreign Office in London said while the UK respected Pakistan’s sovereignty over its own legal proceedings, “trying civilians in military courts lacks transparency, independent scrutiny and undermines the right to a fair trial.”
In its statement on Sunday, the EU had noted that under the its Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), beneficiary countries, including Pakistan, had voluntarily agreed to effectively implement 27 international core conventions, including the ICCPR, in order to continue benefitting from the special trade arrangement. The preferential trade status under the GSP+ scheme grants Pakistani exports duty-free access to the European market.
The Pakistani foreign ministry responded by saying that the verdicts had been made under a law enacted by the Pakistan parliament and in line with a judgment of the country’s top court.
The Dec. 21 announcement of sentences by the military followed a ruling by a seven-member Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Dec. 13, in which it allowed the military courts to share their verdicts. Prior to that, the top court had unanimously declared last year that prosecuting civilians in military courts was in violation of the Constitution.
“Pakistan believes in constructive and productive dialogue to promote principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We remain fully committed to implementing our commitments under the GSP Plus Scheme and core international human rights conventions,” the foreign ministry said.
“We will continue to engage with our international partners including the European Union to uphold the international human rights law, without any discrimination and double standards.”
The sentencing of civilians in May 2023 riots cases has also raised concerns among supporters of ex-PM Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023 on a slew of charges, including inciting attacks against the armed forces, and may potentially be tried in a military court.
Pakistan has remained gripped by political unrest and uncertainty since Khan’s ouster from power through a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April 2022, which has also exacerbated Pakistan’s economic hardships.
The Pakistani government this week opened talks with Khan’s PTI opposition party in a bid to address political polarization. Senior government representatives have also recently acknowledged that the negotiations could offer a pathway out of the current political impasse.

Topics: military trial military courts May 9 protests

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South Africa opt for all-pace attack in first Test against Pakistan

Updated 24 December 2024
AFP
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South Africa opt for all-pace attack in first Test against Pakistan

  • The two-match series is crucial for South Africa, who will qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final if they win one of the matches
  • Pakistan have only won two out of 15 Tests in South Africa but they will go into the series on the back of a convincing 3-0 one-day series win
Updated 24 December 2024
AFP

CENTURION: South African captain Temba Bavuma on Tuesday announced an all-pace attack for the first Test against Pakistan starting at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Thursday.
The two-match series is crucial for South Africa, who will qualify for next year’s World Test Championship final if they win one of the matches.
“We back our seamers at Centurion,” Bavuma said at his pre-match press conference.
Fast bowler Corbin Bosch will make his debut for a team missing several leading pace bowlers because of injury. He plays for the Titans provincial team whose home ground is at Centurion.
Bosch, 30, is the son of the late Tertius Bosch, who played in South Africa’s first post-isolation Test, against the West Indies in Barbados in 1992.
“He will be playing at the venue where he has made a name for himself in the provincial set-up,” said Bavuma. “He adds that element of extra pace. He’s a big, strong guy who hits the deck hard and he offers a role with the bat as well.”
Bosch bowled at more than 140kmh (87mph) when he made his one-day international debut against Pakistan in Johannesburg on Sunday and hit 40 not out as a lower-order batsman.
Bavuma said his players were aware of the significance of being on the verge of reaching the world championship final.
“We know what’s at stake. There’s confidence and belief because of the good cricket we have played over the last while. Nothing has happened by accident.”
South Africa’s progress in the Test championship final has come despite Cricket South Africa’s deliberate downgrading of Test cricket to accommodate a high-profile Twenty20 franchise series.
South Africa’s schedule of 12 Tests — all in two-match series — is the joint lowest with Bangladesh in the championship cycle. England have played 22 matches, while Australia and India will have played 19 each when they complete their fixtures.
The system of average points has propelled South Africa to the top of the table despite virtually forfeiting a series in New Zealand when coach Shukri Conrad was prevented from selecting any players contracted to the SA20 league.
South Africa did not play against Australia or England and their only series against one of the “big three” Test nations was a tied one against India.
Pakistan have only won two out of 15 Tests in South Africa but will go into the series on the back of a convincing 3-0 one-day series win. Seven of the Pakistan squad and eight of the South African Test team players were involved in the one-day games.
Teams:
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.

Topics: Pakistan vs South Africa

Azeri air and ground crew undergo training at Pakistan Air Force base

Updated 24 December 2024
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Azeri air and ground crew undergo training at Pakistan Air Force base

  • A high-level Azerbaijani delegation also called on Pakistan’s air chief on Tuesday to discuss training cooperation
  • The visit signifies resolute commitment of both countries to reinforce military partnership, Pakistani military says
Updated 24 December 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been enhancing operational capabilities of the Azerbaijan Air Force by training Azeri air and ground crews at an operational Pakistani base, the Pakistani military said on Tuesday.
The statement came after a high-level Azerbaijani delegation, comprising Deputy Defense Minister Agil Gurbanov and Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Namig Islamzade, called on Pakistan’s air chief, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, at the Air Headquarters in Islamabad.
The officials discussed the importance of training cooperation, with Air Chief Marshal Sidhu reaffirming his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in operational and training areas, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“He noted that the [ongoing] training program is on schedule, with over 50 percent of the training objectives successfully achieved,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“He further emphasized that the initiative is expected to culminate within one-month timeframe, reflecting the commitment of PAF to enhance the operational capabilities of Azerbaijan Air Force.”
The air chief highlighted the PAF’s recent accomplishments, reflecting his vision of operational excellence in modern warfare, according to the ISPR.
The visiting dignitaries lauded the professionalism demonstrated by PAF personnel and their notable progress in developing a thriving domestic capability in the aviation industry in a short timeframe.
“The dignitaries expressed satisfaction on the training imparted to 70 aircrew & technicians getting trained in PAF and expressed their desire for enhanced Air Force to Air Force collaboration between the two sides,” the ISPR statement read.
“Emphasizing on the need to adapting to the evolving landscape of modern warfare, the Azerbaijan military leadership also proposed the establishment of a more comprehensive training regimen focusing on niche and disruptive technologies, as well as cyber and electronic warfare capabilities.”
Later the delegation visited the PAF Cyber Command at the Air Headquarters, where it was briefed about the operational capabilities and ongoing projects of PAF’s modernization drive.
The Pakistani military said the visit of the high-level defense delegation from Azerbaijan signified a resolute commitment of both countries to reinforce their military partnership, fostering collaboration and promoting robust relations.
In recent months, there has been a flurry of visits by Azerbaijani officials to Pakistan, highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries in various sectors. Pakistan, which has been facing an economic crisis, is currently making efforts to position itself as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting Central Asian states and China with the rest of the world.
In July, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev’s arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit, during which both nations agreed to enhance the volume of bilateral trade to $2 billion and vowed to increase cooperation in mutually beneficial economic projects.
Last week, Pakistan waived customs and regulatory duties on imports from Azerbaijan under the Pakistan-Azerbaijan Preferential Trade Agreement. The agreement signed on July 11 aimed to boost economic cooperation by reducing tariffs on goods like Pakistan’s sports equipment, leather, and pharmaceuticals apart from Azerbaijan’s oil and gas products.

Topics: pakistan air force pakistan azerbaijan ties

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