KARACHI: A man killed four female members of his family which included his mother, sister, sister-in-law and niece in the southern port city of Karachi this week, police confirmed on Sunday, adding that the crime had been committed for so-called honor.
According to the copy of a police report seen by Arab News, Muhammad Farooq said he was shocked to find the bodies of his wife, Shamshad Farooq, 60, 21-year-old daughter, Madiha Farooq, 20-year-old daughter-in-law, Ayesha Sameer, 20, and 12-year-old granddaughter Alina Razzaq dead inside his flat in Karachi’s Lea Market area on Friday night.
Police said they questioned the men of the family, who were not at home when the killings were committed. Farooq had ruled out any suspects, saying his family did not have enmity with anyone.
Inspector-General Karachi South Asad Raza told Arab News police interrogated Muhammad Bilal, Farooq’s 25-year-old son, on Saturday after they found a laceration on his hand.
“He later admitted that he killed all the ladies on the pretext of honor,” Raza said. “The killer is a minibus driver by profession, a divorcee and recently returned from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah.”
According to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, police said Bilal confessed to killing his family members due to rage over their TikTok videos, which he claimed spread “immodesty and shamelessness.”
The police official confirmed they were registering a case against Bilal for the murders.
Many people in conservative Pakistan follow a strict code of “honor,” with women beholden to their male relatives over choices around education, employment and who they can marry.
Hundreds of women are killed by men in Pakistan every year for allegedly breaching this code. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 316 “honor” crimes against women were recorded in the country in 2022.
But many cases go unreported, as families tend to protect the murderers — often male relatives.
According to a 2020 report by the Aurat Foundation, over 11,000 cases of violence against women were reported across Pakistan in 2020. The most common forms of violence were domestic violence (4,775 cases), rape and gang rape (2,297 cases), and murder (1,033 cases).
Karachi man kills four female family members, including mother, for ‘honor’ — police
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Karachi man kills four female family members, including mother, for ‘honor’ — police
- The four women were found dead with their throats slit in separate rooms in a Karachi apartment on Friday night, says police official
- Many in Pakistan follow strict code of “honor” in which women are beholden to male relatives on choices of education, marriage
Chinese development association to invest $13 billion in Pakistan in five years — state media
- Initial investment layout of $8-13 billion expected to surge to $30 billion, says state media
- China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan that has pledged over $65 billion in various projects
ISLAMABAD: The China Asia Economic Development Association (CAEDA) will invest up to $13 billion in a free trade zone in Pakistan in the next five years, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday.
As Pakistan reels from a prolonged economic crisis that has seen its foreign exchange reserves fall to critically low levels and its currency deteriorate significantly, Islamabad has sought to attract foreign investment from regional allies such as China and the Middle East to bolster its fragile economy.
The South Asian country set up the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) last year to attract foreign investment in economic sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism and others. The SIFC is a hybrid civil-military body formed to fast-track investment-related decisions.
“China Asia Economic Development Association (CAEDA) will make an investment of 13 billion dollars in free trade zone of Pakistan in the next five years,” Radio Pakistan said.
“The initial layout of this investment is between 8 to 13 billion dollars while it is expected to reach 30 billion dollars,” it added.
The free trade zone is aimed at catering to Pakistan’s domestic needs and those of the global market, Radio Pakistan said. It added that a duty-free shopping mall is also part of the zone where international goods will be available for Pakistani citizens.
The state broadcaster said CAEDA has also sent 20 fishing boats to Pakistan with an investment of $500 million.
“Supported by Special Investment Facilitation Council, a delegation of the Association discussed agreements with Ministries of Energy and Health regarding refined petroleum products, solar power grid connection and investments in pharmaceuticals,” it said.
China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan that has pledged over $65 billion in investment in road, infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. CPEC is a part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a massive China-led infrastructure project that aims to stretch around the globe.
Chinese investment and financial support since 2013 have been key for Pakistan’s struggling economy, including the rolling over of loans so that Islamabad is able to meet external financing needs at a time its foreign reserves are low.
Though time-tested allies, recent security challenges have put a slight strain on Pakistan’s ties with China. Separatist and religiously motivated militants have attacked Chinese projects in Pakistan over recent years, killing Chinese personnel.
Earlier this month, a suicide blast claimed by the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) killed three people in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, including two Chinese nationals, who were targeted in the attack.
Five Chinese workers were killed in a suicide bombing in March, which was the third major attack on Chinese interests in Pakistan in a week.
China has called on Islamabad to ensure security for its citizens in Pakistan. The South Asian nation has in turn sought to ease Chinese fears, vowing to provide fool-proof security to its citizens living and working in the country.
Pakistan’s GITEX Dubai collaborations to open doors to new markets — IT minister
- Shaza Fatima Khawaja says GITEX Dubai success to translate into “long-term benefits” in future
- Pakistani IT firms signed key agreements with tech companies at Dubai exhibition from Oct. 14-18
ISLAMABAD: Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja this week praised Pakistani tech companies for signing agreements and forming key partnerships at the recently concluded Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) Dubai 2024 event, saying it would “open the doors to new markets” for the country.
The annual GITEX exhibition is considered one of the world’s largest tech shows, connecting industry leaders with major tech and innovation startups, as well as government officials, expert investors and corporate buyers.
This year’s five-day exhibition was held from Oct. 14-18, with the event holding particular significance for Pakistan as it aims to showcase its growing prowess in IT whilst eyeing lucrative markets in the Middle East.
“I want to congratulate all the Pakistani companies that signed MoUs and established key partnerships with international tech leaders,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
“These collaborations mark an important step forward for our IT industry, opening doors to new markets, and creating opportunities for innovation.”
The minister noted that Pakistan had been recognized as the Tech Destination of the Year at GITEX Dubai, saying it solidified the South Asian country’s status as an emerging global technology hub.
“Your dedication and hard work have made this event a huge success for Pakistan, showcasing the remarkable potential of our IT industry on the global stage,” Khawaja said in a message to all delegates and exhibitors who participated in the event.
She reiterated the government’s resolve to support the IT industry so that it could reach even newer heights.
“I am proud of what we have achieved together, and I am confident that the success at GITEX will translate into long-term benefits for Pakistan’s technology sector in the days to come,” Khawaja added.
Saudi medical supplier draws strong interest at Pakistan’s largest health expo in Karachi
- Over 200 companies from 10 countries, including China, Singapore and France, participated
- Health Asia is Pakistan’s premier healthcare and pharmaceutical exhibition launched in 2004
KARACHI: A Saudi company reported strong interest in its medical products at Pakistan’s largest three-day health exhibition, Health Asia, which concluded on Saturday at the Expo Center in Karachi, bringing together participants from across the world.
Held from October 17 to 19, the event featured over 200 companies from 10 countries, including China, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, France and Hungary.
Health Asia, Pakistan’s premier health care and pharmaceutical exhibition, has become the country’s leading platform for introducing the latest innovations in medical technology, products and services since its inception in 2004.
Supported by Pakistan’s Ministry of Health and international medical societies, the event draws key local and global stakeholders, providing significant opportunities for business and collaboration in the health care sector.
Speaking to Arab News, Salman Rashid, Pakistan Business Manager of Saudi Mais, a Riyadh-based supplier of disposable medical devices, noted a significant response from both doctors and local businesses.
“There was good response toward the Saudi products,” he said.
With 20 years of experience in producing medical devices, Rashid emphasized that his company aims to deliver the same high-quality products in Pakistan as it does in Saudi Arabia.
“What we have seen, the doctors who are visiting our booth, the [local] companies which are visiting our booth, they are not looking for the low-quality product. They are also interested to buy the good quality products,” he continued.
Rashid also highlighted the potential for foreign investment in Pakistan’s health care market, which serves a population of 250 million. He also mentioned Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which focuses on localizing production and expanding exports, identifying Pakistan as a key market for Saudi medical companies.
Farhan Anis, Project Director of Health Asia International Exhibition and Conferences, endorsed Rashid’s remarks, saying the Saudi company received a “tremendous response” during its debut at the exhibition.
“We are very glad that the Saudi company is participating in this Health Asia [conference],” he told Arab News. “They are participating for the first time, and they have received [a] tremendous response … in the past three days, and we look forward to partnering with the Saudi government so that we can bring more Saudi companies to Pakistan for collaboration in the health care facilities.”
Everyone knows that Saudi [Arabia] provides absolutely outstanding health care facilities in their country, and they are exporting those things as well,” he added. “We see in different international exhibitions like Arab Heath, the Saudi pavilions, so we would like to have [that] sort of [pavilion] in Pakistan also, in Health Asia, and we hope that [a] major collaboration can be done with Saudi Arabia in the field of health care.”
This year, Health Asia, Anis said, introduced the concept of “Inward Medical Tourism” at the Future Hospital Conference.
“This concept will bring foreign revenue into Pakistan and ultimately attract more private sector investment toward providing high-quality health care facilities in our hospitals,” he continued. “The 3rd annual conference, ‘Boosting Medical Devices,’ was also held at the event, highlighting progress on more than 20 locally developed medical devices.”
In all, the event featured over 20 conferences and seminars, with both foreign and local medical experts sharing the latest medical procedures.
According to a handout, more than 500 exhibitors, including foreign delegates from various countries, participated in Health Asia, which attracted over 50,000 visitors.
England coach brushes aside spin concerns ahead of third Test against Pakistan
- Pakistani spinners played key role in their side’s 152-run victory over England in Multan during second Test
- Multan loss meant England have lost as many as five of their last seven Test matches in the subcontinent
ISLAMABAD: England Head Coach Brendon McCullum has backed his side to tackle Pakistan’s spin attack in the upcoming Rawalpindi decider Test next week after the home side cruised to a 152-run victory on Friday.
Pakistan’s radical changes which included dropping star cricketers Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi for spinners Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali, Zahid Mehmood and batter Kamran Ghulam paid off handsomely for the second Test in Multan.
Khan and Ali shared 20 wickets among themselves as Pakistan played on a turning pitch in Multan. Pakistan’s win against England meant Ben Stokes’ side had lost five matches out of the last seven Tests they had played in the subcontinent. England side lost 4-1 on their away tour to India in January this year.
“It’s hard to make that assessment,” McCullum told reporters on Saturday when asked whether English batters had been found out on Multan’s turning track.
“But I know these guys play spin very well. Yes, we’ve been beaten a few times, but we weren’t the only team to go to India and get beaten by India in spinning conditions.”
Pakistan play the third and final Test match of the series in Rawalpindi from Oct. 24-28. Skipper Shan Masood earlier hoped the green shirts would get a turning track in the eastern Pakistani city too, which has historically favored seamers more.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen it turn in Rawalpindi,” Masood said. “That’s another issue. You want a side that can win anywhere… We want to get 20 wickets wherever we play, and we want to back that up with the bat.”
Modern pressures burden Pakistan’s donkey business
- Punishing inflation has made feed costly, making life harder for donkey owners
- There are almost 6 million donkeys in Karachi, a megacity of over 20 million people
KARACHI: Droves of braying donkeys were once the backbone of Pakistan’s commercial hub Karachi, but growing upkeep costs and the surging sprawl of the city are putting them out to pasture.
Jittering donkey carts have long been essential for aftermarket transport from southern Karachi’s wholesale bazaars, nested in narrow streets preventing regular vehicles from accessing their trove of wares.
For low-income workers, the beasts of burden provided a path to financial stability — their resilience, low overheads and integral role guaranteeing a modest and stable profit to live off.
But punishing inflation has made feed costly whilst the city has exploded in size, accommodating around 50 times more people today than before Pakistan’s independence, with vast distances testing the animal’s limits.
“We continued the work of our fathers, but I want my kids to study and do something else,” said Mohammad Atif, the warden of a donkey called Raja — meaning “King.”
The 27-year-old spends up to 750 rupees ($2.70) on hay for Raja per day. It used to cost just 200 rupees, the same amount Atif pays for a plate of food he splits with a colleague on increasingly common slow days.
“Now you can’t make a living in this line of work,” Atif told AFP in the colonial-era Bolton Market where everything from spices and water to cutlery and construction equipment is sold.
A good shift may earn him up to 4,000 rupees, far short of the expenses of his dependents and donkey.
There are just shy of six million donkeys in Pakistan, according to government estimates, one for every 40 people in the country.
Local animal broker Aslam Shah told AFP the majority were in Karachi, which exploded into a megacity of more than 20 million people after mass migration in the partition of Pakistan and India.
But the 69-year-old said they’re no longer a desired commodity at an animal market held each Sunday.
“Sometimes weeks and months go by without us selling a single one,” he said.
Bolton Market springs to life at mid-morning as shopkeepers lift their shutters, and housewives in apartments above lower baskets from their balconies to collect orders of foodstuffs.
As customers prepare to leave, post-sale negotiations begin on who will win the work of hauling shopping away. But most donkey carts are empty with their owners and animals idle.
The carts were once so dominant on roads that the government issued them license plates. But the metropolis has sprawled with expressways and overpasses off-limits to animal carriages.
“I have been told there is lots to carry and that I would have to travel to the other side of the city to deliver goods,” said 21-year-old Ali Usman, in envy of a three-wheeled motorized rickshaw being loaded with rice sacks.
“It will take me three to four hours,” he said. “In this time, the rickshaw will have made two trips so the work has not been given to me.”
Noman Farhat, a wholesaler at Empress Market, built in 1884, said he tries to give some work to donkey owners every day — a small act of mercy despite their impracticality.
“They are a part of our culture, and I would be loathe to see them go out of business,” he said.
One Karachi animal welfare activist who asked to remain anonymous said increasingly long journeys and poor road conditions are knackering the animals.
“Due to a lack of resources, donkey owners use rope or a piece of cloth in place of proper harnesses leading to severe chaffing and skin wounds,” she said.
Mistreatment can also cause muzzle mutilation that restricts eating, she said.
But some stubbornly believe donkeys will remain at the heart of Karachi.
“Despite the harsh conditions they often face, these animals are an essential part of the informal economy,” said Sheema Khan, manager of Karachi’s Benji Project animal shelter.
“It is still the cheapest form of transport,” she said.
At a wholesale market, pointing to his two sons and grandson loading rice and wheat onto their carts, Ghulam Rasool is inclined to agree.
“This work will never end, it will endure till doomsday,” said the 76-year-old.
“So what if there are two or three days of no work? There will always be someone who needs us.”
