Pakistani father defies social norms, educates 13 daughters to master’s level in conservative northwest

In this photo, taken on September 5, 2024, Pakistani academic Nazar ul Islam, 82, gestures for a group photograph with his grandchildren in his village in Karak district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during an interview with Arab News. Haq defies social norms and educates 13 daughters to master’s level in conservative northwest. (AN Photo)
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Updated 09 September 2024
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Pakistani father defies social norms, educates 13 daughters to master’s level in conservative northwest

  • Fazal Haq, who could not attend college, secured three postgraduate degrees himself before educating children
  • The 82-year-old academic braved resistance, threats of disownment by family to educate all 17 of his children

PESHAWAR: For Nazar ul Islam, a Pakistani octogenarian academic who grew up in the country’s conservative northwest, acquiring education was not merely a personal pursuit, but a gateway to empowerment and self-reliance for his children, especially daughters.
In an era when the idea of education was a rare privilege in Pakistan’s northwestern Karak district, Haq stood as a beacon of progressive thinking by sending his first-born daughter, Nighat Parveen, to school in the 1970s.
Although he never formally attended college, the 82-year-old pursued private studies, ultimately earning postgraduate degrees in Arabic, Urdu literature, and Islamic studies, before educating all of his 13 daughters and four sons.
“Fewer men attended school during his time, and the notion of women pursuing education was virtually unheard of,” he told Arab News this week. “Yet, despite societal constraints, I made a pioneering decision to send my daughter [Parveen] to school against the societal norms.”




In this photo, taken on September 5, 2024, Pakistani academic Nazar ul Islam, 82, reads a newspaper in his village in Karak district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during an interview with Arab News. Haq defies social norms and educates 13 daughters to master’s level in conservative northwest. (AN Photo)

Haq said his groundbreaking choice initially seemed promising and his daughters’ early education proceeded smoothly but as they grew older, the murmurs of dissent within his family became louder.
Relatives questioned his wisdom for educating his girls and the resistance escalated to threats of disownment, but Haq said he remained resolute and his daughter achieved prominent positions in both her 8th and 10th grade exams, outshining many in their area. Her academic success reinforced Haq’s belief in his decision.
“That was a big relief, I would say one of my happiest moments,” Haq said, recalling how his extended family members had distanced themselves from him for sending his daughter to high school.
Parveen, who passed her matriculation exam in 1986, told Arab News that initially, she did not grasp the vitality of education and only saw herself fulfilling her father’s mission on a path fraught with obstacles.
“I would often find myself as the only girl in a classroom full of boys. Sitting in a corner, isolated from my peers, I faced the weight of societal scrutiny and the discomfort of being an ‘outsider’,” she said.
“The psychological toll of being the only girl in a boys’ class was immense, but I remained steadfast in the pursuit of education.”




In this photo, taken on September 5, 2024, Nighat Parveen, daughter of Pakistani academic Nazar ul Islam, gestures outside a government school in her village in Karak district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during an interview with Arab News. Haq, 82, defies social norms and educates 13 daughters to master’s level in conservative northwest. (AN Photo)

Parveen today stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of education as she serves as the principal of Government Girls’ High School in Karak, shaping the minds of future generations.
She set the bar high for all 16 of her siblings — 12 sisters and four brothers — who now have master’s degrees in disciplines as varied as English Literature, Political Science, History, Botany, Zoology, and Physics. All of Haq’s daughters are currently serving as government teachers.
Haq sees education as a gateway to empowerment and self-reliance for women, contrary to the perception in rural communities that believe investing in daughters’ education would benefit the “other household” to which they are wedded off.
“Education equips women with knowledge and confidence to contribute actively to their family’s economic affairs, eliminating the need to depend on others for financial support,” he said.




In this photo, taken on September 5, 2024, Pakistani academic Nazar ul Islam, 82, gestures for a photograph with his son in his village in Karak district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during an interview with Arab News. Haq defies social norms and educates 13 daughters to master’s level in conservative northwest. (AN Photo)

Haq’s wife, Jahan Bano, did not have a formal education, but her journey alongside her husband reflects a profound transformation. Her ability to converse in English and engage in discussions about politics demonstrates her intellectual growth and confidence in expressing herself.
Both Haq and Bano feel proud that their perspective about women education, which was once widely disapproved by the society, has been embraced by those very critics.
“At this later stage of life, when I watch young girls in school uniforms going to school, college, and university from my balcony, I feel a strange sense of happiness,” Haq added.


Pakistan to kickstart post-Hajj flight operations today to bring back pilgrims

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Pakistan to kickstart post-Hajj flight operations today to bring back pilgrims

  • State media says Pakistan International Airlines’ flight carrying 307 pilgrims will leave Jeddah for Islamabad
  • Over 88,000 Pakistani pilgrims under government scheme to return to country via 362 flights, says state media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will kickstart its post-flight Hajj operations to bring thousands of pilgrims back to the country from today, Tuesday, state-run media reported, adding that they would continue till July 10. 

Pakistan concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation last month, transporting more than 115,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia under both the government and private schemes for the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

This year’s Hajj pilgrimage took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of pilgrims to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Pakistan was among several countries managing large-scale contingents during the annual religious gathering.

“Post-Hajj flight operation to bring back Pakistani pilgrims is starting from Tuesday,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Monday, quoting Secretary Religious Affairs Dr. Syed Ata ur Rehman. 

Sharing details, Rehman said Pakistan International Airlines’ flight PK-732 carrying 307 pilgrims will leave Jeddah for Islamabad. 

“Similarly, the first post-Hajj flight from Madinah PK-7030 will depart for Lahore on Thursday,” Radio Pakistan said. “The national flag carrier will airlift 307 pilgrims.”

The Pakistani official said the flight operation would continue till July 10 during which a total of over 88,000 pilgrims under the government scheme will be transported to Pakistan via 362 flights.

“Meanwhile, Dr. Syed Ata ur Rehman highlighted that elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth transportation of the pilgrims back to their homeland,” the state broadcaster said. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday thanked Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the Kingdom’s “exceptional organization” of Hajj 2025. 

“Thank you for making this spiritual experience more comfortable and memorable for all those who performed Hajj this year,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X. 


Pakistan to kickstart post-Hajj flight operations today to bring back pilgrims

Updated 6 min 39 sec ago
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Pakistan to kickstart post-Hajj flight operations today to bring back pilgrims

  • State media says Pakistan International Airlines’ flight carrying 307 pilgrims will leave Jeddah for Islamabad
  • Over 88,000 Pakistani pilgrims under government scheme to return to country via 362 flights, says state media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will kickstart its post-flight Hajj operations to bring thousands of pilgrims back to the country from today, Tuesday, state-run media reported, adding that they would continue till July 10. 

Pakistan concluded its 33-day pre-Hajj flight operation last month, transporting more than 115,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia under both the government and private schemes for the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

This year’s Hajj pilgrimage took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of pilgrims to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Pakistan was among several countries managing large-scale contingents during the annual religious gathering.

“Post-Hajj flight operation to bring back Pakistani pilgrims is starting from Tuesday,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Monday, quoting Secretary Religious Affairs Dr. Syed Ata ur Rehman. 

Sharing details, Rehman said Pakistan International Airlines’ flight PK-732 carrying 307 pilgrims will leave Jeddah for Islamabad. 

“Similarly, the first post-Hajj flight from Madinah PK-7030 will depart for Lahore on Thursday,” Radio Pakistan said. “The national flag carrier will airlift 307 pilgrims.”

The Pakistani official said the flight operation would continue till July 10 during which a total of over 88,000 pilgrims under the government scheme will be transported to Pakistan via 362 flights.

“Meanwhile, Dr. Syed Ata ur Rehman highlighted that elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth transportation of the pilgrims back to their homeland,” the state broadcaster said. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday thanked Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the Kingdom’s “exceptional organization” of Hajj 2025. 

“Thank you for making this spiritual experience more comfortable and memorable for all those who performed Hajj this year,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X. 
 


Pakistan likely to hike defense spending but slash overall budget in 2025-26

Updated 10 June 2025
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Pakistan likely to hike defense spending but slash overall budget in 2025-26

  • Media reports say government likely to present Rs17.6 trillion ($62.45 billion) budget for budget 2025-26
  • Analysts expect increase of around 20 percent in defense budget likely offset by cuts in development spending

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will unveil its annual federal budget for the coming fiscal year later on Tuesday, seeking to kickstart growth while finding resources for an expected hike in defense expenditure following the conflict with India last month.

Islamabad will also have to contend with remaining within the discipline of its International Monetary Fund program and the uncertainty from new trade tariffs being imposed by the United States, its biggest export market.

Media reports say the government is likely to present a 17.6 trillion rupee ($62.45 billion) budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, down 6.7 percent from this fiscal year. It has projected a fiscal deficit of 4.8 percent of GDP, against a targeted 5.9 percent deficit in 2024-25, the reports say.

Analysts said they expect an increase of around 20 percent in the defense budget, likely offset by cuts in development spending.

Pakistan allocated 2.1 trillion Pakistani rupees ($7.45 billion) for defense in the outgoing fiscal year, including $2 billion for equipment and other assets. An additional 563 billion rupees ($1.99 billion) was set aside for military pensions, which are not counted within the official defense budget.

India’s defense spending in its 2025–26 (April-March) fiscal year was set at $78.7 billion, a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year, including pensions and $21 billion earmarked for equipment. It has indicated it will step up expenditure following the May conflict with Pakistan.

The government of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has projected 4.2 percent economic growth in 2025-26, saying it has steadied the economy, which had looked at risk of defaulting on its debts as recently as 2023. Growth this fiscal year is likely to be 2.7 percent, against an initial target of 3.6 percent set in the budget last year.
Pakistan’s growth lags far behind the region. In 2024, South Asian countries grew by an average of 5.8 percent and 6.0 percent growth is expected in 2025, according to the Asian Development Bank.

RATE CUTS NOT ENOUGH

Expansion of the economy should be aided by a sharp drop in the cost of borrowing, the government says, after a succession of interest rate cuts by the central bank. But economists warn that monetary policy alone may not be enough, with fiscal constraints and IMF-mandated reforms still weighing on investment.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Monday that he wanted to avoid Pakistan’s boom and bust cycles of the past.

“The macroeconomic stability that we have achieved, we want to absolutely stay the course,” he said. “This time around we are very, very clear that we do not want to squander the opportunity.”

The budget is expected to prioritize expanding the tax base, enforcing agriculture income tax laws, and reducing government subsidies to industry, to meet the terms of a $7 billion IMF bailout signed last summer. Just 1.3 percent of the population paid income tax in 2024, according to the tax authorities, with agriculture and the retail sector largely outside of the tax net.

The IMF has urged Pakistan to widen the tax base through reforms which include taxing agriculture, retail, and real estate.

Ahmad Mobeen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said that he expected the revenue target for 2025-26 will be missed.

“The shortfall will mostly be owing to lack of optimal implementation of announced measures as well as absence of meaningful structural reforms to widen the tax net in general,” said Mobeen.

 ($1 = 281.8400 Pakistani rupees)
 


Pakistan’s Punjab says ongoing heat wave likely to continue till Thursday

Updated 10 June 2025
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Pakistan’s Punjab says ongoing heat wave likely to continue till Thursday

  • Pakistan ranks among top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change, faces irregular weather patterns
  • Heat wave may be severe in Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan, says state broadcaster

ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Pakistan’s Punjab said this week that the ongoing heat wave in the country’s most populous province is likely to continue till Thursday. 

Pakistan’s Meteorological Department last week forecast that the ongoing heat wave in the country will continue throughout the Eid Al-Adha holidays . It said day temperatures are likely to remain 5°C to 7°C above normal in the upper half (central & upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan).

Pakistan ranks among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change and has faced increasingly frequent extreme weather events in recent years, including deadly heatwaves and devastating floods.

“Provincial Disaster Management Authority Punjab has cautioned that current heat wave will likely to continue in the province till Thursday,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said in a report on Monday. “He said that the heat wave may be severe in Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan of South Punjab.”

Director General of PDMA Punjab Irfan Ali Kathia said that under the chief minister’s directions, the supply of water is being ensured in the Cholistan desert region located in southern Punjab. He warned that special care of the children, elderly and the sick should be taken during this time period.

Pakistan experienced its most recent heatwave in May but no loss of life was reported.
In June 2024, nearly 700 people died in less than a week during a severe heatwave in the country, with most fatalities reported in the port city of Karachi and other parts of the southern Sindh province.

A similar heatwave in 2015 claimed over 2,000 lives in Pakistan’s largest city Karachi alone, while catastrophic floods in 2022 left more than 1,700 people dead and displaced over 33 million across the country.


From Pakistan to the Middle East: Art director Hashim Ali champions regional creative expansion

Updated 10 June 2025
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From Pakistan to the Middle East: Art director Hashim Ali champions regional creative expansion

  • Cultural overlaps, thirst for diverse aesthetics reshaping industries in Gulf are offering vast opportunities for Pakistanis, Ali says
  • Artist says felt “empowered” while directing Pakistani fashion and Sufi music show at Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art in January

LAHORE: When one of Pakistan’s most renowned art directors Hashim Ali landed in the Qatari capital of Doha earlier this year, he wasn’t quite prepared for how much the city and its creative scene had transformed since he last visited around seven years ago.

Ali, who directed a Pakistani fashion and Sufi music show at Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art in January, was mesmerized by the cultural transformation in the Gulf nation, balancing its traditional heritage with modernization and global influences. 

In recent years, Qatar has established numerous museums, art galleries, and heritage centers, including the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, and the National Museum of Qatar. The country has also emerged as a major player in the global art world, with significant investments in the arts and culture sector. 

Looking at the transformation, Ali said the time was ripe for Pakistani designers and artists to expand their reach to the Gulf, where cultural overlaps and a hunger for diverse aesthetics are reshaping creative industries.

“Everybody who asks me that we want to expand our business, I say expand to the Middle East because the way that region is growing, it’s not just the buildings, it’s the mindset and the heart,” Ali, who provides production design, art direction and styling services to various industries in Pakistan, told Arab News.

The 34-year-old art director, who graduated in Visual Communication Design from Lahore’s National College of Arts (NCA), said his experience in Doha was quite “empowering” as he was able to present his hometown of Lahore to the world.

“You had this showcase of Pakistan, and the entire space was turned into a Chahar Bagh [Persian quadrilateral garden] for the night with oil lamps and flowers, all the napkins were hand-done from Lahore, we got block printers involved who did the Mughal motifs on them,” Ali said. 

“The entire experience was so almost empowering that you are bringing parts of Lahore to the world and you’re showing the world that we just not only do Sufi music, we do great fashion of different kinds.”

Ali, known for creating intricate and stunning sets, said Middle Eastern creatives responded to Pakistani culture because of the cultural and religious similarities between the two regions.

“So, the collaboration, it’s set in stone that it’s going to happen,” he added.