Pakistani companies expected to generate over $15 million business at Arab Health expo — envoy

The photo shows a view of Pakistan pavilion at Arab Health 2025 expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on January 27, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Pakistani mission in UAE)
Short Url
Updated 31 January 2025
Follow

Pakistani companies expected to generate over $15 million business at Arab Health expo — envoy

  • Arab Health 2025 expo hosted 3,800 exhibitors and over 60,000 health care professionals from more than 70 countries
  • Forty Pakistani health care companies showcased their products at country’s pavilion, hoping to make deals and connections

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani companies participating in the four-day-long Arab Health 2025 exhibition in Dubai are expected to collectively generate around $15 million in business for the surgical industry, Pakistan’s envoy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) told Arab News this week. 

Arab Health 2025, organized under the patronage of the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention, featured over 3,800 exhibitors and has attracted more than 60,000 health care professionals and industry leaders from over 70 countries.

The event, held from Jan. 27-30, focused on nine key product sectors, including medical equipment and devices, disposables and surgical goods, orthopedics and physiotherapy, imaging and diagnostics, general health care services, health care infrastructure, wellness and prevention, health care transformation and health care technology.

Pakistan also set up a pavilion at the expo, where 40 leading companies showcased their products and services under the umbrella of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

“Pakistani exhibitors from the surgical industry alone expect business deals of around $15 million as the outcome of this exhibition and this does not include pharmaceutical companies’ potential business deals,” Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi told Arab News on Thursday.




The photo shows a view of Pakistan pavilion at Arab Health 2025 expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on January 27, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Pakistani mission in UAE)

He said the country’s participation in the expo had been a “success,” with Pakistani surgical equipment manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies receiving “overwhelmingly positive responses.”

“Several leading Pakistani companies have signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with international health care distributors,” the envoy said, adding that the agreements marked a “major step” in expanding the global reach of Pakistan’s medical sector and strengthening international trade partnerships:




The photo shows a view of Pakistan pavilion at Arab Health 2025 expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on January 27, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Pakistani mission in UAE)

“By fostering collaboration in medical technology, diagnostics, surgical instruments, and health care solutions, these MoUs are expected to enhance export opportunities and position Pakistan as a key player in the global health care industry.”

Global health care partners had shown “keen interest” in Pakistani products, reaffirming the country’s reputation for high-quality medical and surgical equipment, the ambassador added.

“Our exhibitors are enthusiastic about strong business leads generated during the exhibition, which will open new avenues for collaboration.”

Pakistani exhibitors also described their participation in the event as a success, hoping the business leads generated would translate into future revenue.

“Arab Health is the largest exhibition worldwide for the health care and pharmaceutical industry, where we received an excellent response from visitors, clients, and investors,” Bilal Tanveer, a director at the Sialkot-based surgical goods manufacturing company Durable Hospital Supplies, told Arab News.

Out of the 40 Pakistani companies present, he said 34 were from the surgical sector, with many deals signed and initiated. 




The photo shows a view of Pakistan pavilion at Arab Health 2025 expo in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on January 27, 2025. (Photo Courtesy: Pakistani mission in UAE)

“We have signed several deals with clients which will translate into substantial business volume, but the information is confidential and cannot be shared at this stage,” he added.

Amir Shehzad, chief executive officer of the Sialkot-based electro-surgical instruments manufacturer Sehar Batool International, said he had been attending the Arab Health Expo for the past 10 years due to its high visitor turnout.

“We have signed four deals with international clients from France and Italy,” he told Arab News, declining to share details at this stage.

“This participation has expanded our horizons and provided valuable opportunities to connect with potential customers while also learning from other companies.”

The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States (US), and a major source of foreign investment, valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE foreign ministry. 

Policymakers in Pakistan consider the UAE an optimal export destination due to its geographical proximity, which minimizes transportation and freight costs while facilitating commercial transactions.


Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2

Updated 25 February 2025
Follow

Pakistan’s national space agency says Ramadan likely to begin from Mar. 2

  • In Pakistan, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting moon for new Islamic months
  • Pakistan’s space agency says moon likely to be invisible to the naked eye on Feb. 28

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national space agency has forecast that the Ramadan moon will be invisible to the naked eye on Feb. 28, state-run media reported, meaning that the South Asian country will mark the beginning of the holy Islamic month from Mar. 2. 
In Pakistan, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is tasked with sighting the moon for new Islamic months. Dates for Ramadan and Eid festivals are confirmed by the committee through visual observations and based on testimonies received of the crescent being sighted from several parts of the country. 
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has forecast that due to its low altitude and distance, the crescent will be difficult to sight on Feb. 28. According to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), SUPARCO said the angular distance between the sun and the moon will be 7 degrees on Feb. 28, making the crescent “invisible to the naked eye” that day.
“Based on these observations, the holy month of Ramadan in Pakistan is expected to begin on March 2, 2025,” APP reported on Monday. The report also said that as per SUPARCO’s forecast, the Shawwal moon will be sighted on Mar. 30 in Pakistan, with Eid-ul-Fitr expected to be on Mar. 31.
However, the Pakistani space agency said the crescent may be visible in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 28, making Ramadan likely to start there on Mar. 1, 2025. 
“The final decision on moon sighting rests with the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee,” APP quoted SUPARCO as saying. 
Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, where Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual activities from sunrise to sunset. This is followed by the sighting of the new moon and is marked by Eid-ul-Fitr, a religious holiday and celebration that is observed by Muslims across the world.


‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

Updated 25 February 2025
Follow

‘Complete overhaul’: what went wrong for Pakistan in Champions Trophy

  • Pakistan was plagued with injuries to destructive openers Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub 
  • Cricket analysts say Pakistan played cautious and outdated cricket in tournament 

KARACHI: Title-holders and hosts Pakistan crashed out in the group phase of the Champions Trophy after losing to New Zealand and arch-rivals India.
They still have a match to play, against Bangladesh on Thursday, but their tournament is over — a disappointing end to their first hosting of a major international cricket event in three decades.
AFP Sport looks at where it all went wrong for Mohammad Rizwan’s men in the 50-over tournament:

- Uncertain build-up -
Rizwan was appointed white-ball skipper in October last year and led Pakistan to an impressive 2-1 ODI win over world champions Australia — their first series victory in 22 years in the country.
They also won in Zimbabwe and inflicted on South Africa their first home whitewash, with a 3-0 scoreline.
But fast-rising opener Saim Ayub injured his ankle during a subsequent Test in South Africa.
Pakistan delayed the announcement of their Champions Trophy squad until the deadline to wait on Ayub’s fitness but the left-hander failed to recover.
To add to the home team’s woes, fellow opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after the first match — a 60-run defeat to New Zealand — with a muscle injury.
Pakistan’s much-vaunted pace attack of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf — rested from the Test series to keep them fresh — looked rusty and failed to control the death overs.

- Poor squad selection -
Pakistan selectors resisted calls from former players and pundits to include a second spinner in the 15-man squad and instead chose only one in Abrar Ahmed.
They relied on part-time spinners Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah, who have managed just one wicket between them in two matches.
Pakistan also erred by not selecting a regular opener and took the risky step of promoting out-of-form Babar Azam to partner Zaman.
When Zaman was ruled out they brought in Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement. He made just 10 as Pakistan were crushed by title favorites India by six wickets.
In a surprise move they included in the squad all-rounders Khushdil and Faheem Ashraf on the basis of their performances in Bangladesh’s Twenty20 league.
Ashraf had not played an ODI for two years and Khushdil for three.
Former Pakistan captain and television pundit Rashid Latif called it a “political selection,” blaming outside influence

- Old-style cricket -
Former Pakistan captain and popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi accused Pakistan of playing outdated cricket.
“In 2025 Pakistan was playing the cricket style of the 1980s and 1990s while other teams had progressed well to adopt an aggressive and modern style,” he told AFP.
“The ailment of playing too many dot balls also hurt our game.”
Pakistan played 152 dot balls against India in scoring 241 in 49.4 overs, including a record 28 balls with no scores in the first six overs.
Their total of 260 in 47.2 overs in the defeat to New Zealand had 162 dot balls.
“The mindset of Pakistan players does not match with modern-day cricket,” said Afridi.
“We need a complete overhaul of the system so that we can produce players with an aggressive mindset.”


Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy

Updated 25 February 2025
Follow

Pakistan calls for end to Russia-Ukraine conflict via ‘inclusive’ diplomacy

  • UN Security Council holds key session on three-year anniversary of Russia-Ukraine conflict
  • Pakistan abstains from voting on two competing UNGA resolutions on conflict’s third anniversary

ISLAMABAD: On the three-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict this week, Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations urged international powers to resolve the crisis through constructive and “inclusive” diplomacy, pointing out the dangers of further military escalation for the region. 

Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago on Feb. 24, 2022, amid protests from Western governments and peace activists worldwide. Thousands have been killed on both sides since the conflict began and rages on, with Washington and other powers calling for an end to the fighting that has dealt setbacks to the global economy and developing countries. 

The UN General Assembly adopted two competing resolutions on the third anniversary of the conflict on Monday, with Pakistan abstaining from voting on both of them. One of the resolutions, backed by the European Union and Ukraine, condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, and called for a quick end to hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the war. 

“We believe that the conflict in Ukraine could have been averted through dialogue and diplomacy,” Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s alternate permanent representative to the UN, said at a meeting of the Security Council on Monday. “It must be brought to an end now through constructive and inclusive diplomacy.”

He pointed out that the conflict in Ukraine has caused immense loss of life, widespread devastation and human suffering, adding that its consequences transcend borders and impact the region and beyond.

Ahmad said it was unfortunate how the pursuit of peace remains “largely absent and elusive” in this day and age. 

“That is despite the fact that the vast majority of the member states including the developing world have constantly desired and advocated for a peaceful settlement of this conflict thought dialogue and diplomacy,” Ahmad said. 

The ambassador called on international powers to “redouble” their efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis in accordance with the principles of the UN charter. 

“The pursuit of peace is a collective responsibility that must transcend geopolitical divide,” Ahmad said. “We hope that Council will shoulder its responsibility and unite behind this objective.”

Since Russian forces invaded Ukraine, the balance of power at the United Nations has been clear: the General Assembly, representing all members, has clearly and overwhelmingly supported Ukrainian sovereignty, while the 15-member Security Council has been paralyzed by Russia’s veto power.

Pakistan has moved closer to Russia in recent months, signing trade and investment agreements with Moscow as it seeks to escape a prolonged economic crisis. Islamabad has not criticized Moscow for invading the eastern European country and has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute. 


Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO

Updated 51 min 42 sec ago
Follow

Internet shutdowns costing Pakistani businesses ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ — Jazz CEO

  • Pakistan suffered total $1.62 billion losses due to Internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, global web monitor says
  • Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim urges government to address issue, citing role of IT-enabled infrastructure in propelling businesses in Pakistan

KARACHI: The blockade of social media platforms and intermittent Internet shutdowns in Pakistan were causing losses running into “hundreds of millions of dollars” to the telecommunications sector and others that relied on online connectivity to run businesses, the CEO of Pakistan’s largest telecom company said this month. 

Pakistan suffered a total $1.62 billion losses due to Internet outages and social media shutdowns in 2024, according to a report by global Internet monitor Top10VPN.com, surpassing losses in war-torn countries like Sudan and Myanmar. The report, released on Jan. 2, said Pakistan experienced 9,735 hours of Internet disruptions that affected 82.9 million users last year, with elections and protests cited as the primary causes.

In an interview with Arab News, Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, Pakistan’s leading digital service provider with around 71 million subscribers, said telecommunications had developed into a cross-sector enabler, so when Internet services were interrupted, it was not telcos alone that lost revenue.

“About 70% of the revenue that we generate comes from Internet or data services, so, there is a consequential revenue impact for us as telcos [telecommunication companies] but the real damage actually comes in terms of customer convenience,” Ibrahim told Arab News when asked about the effect of Internet closures.

“So it’s not just that the telcos lose revenue, it’s every other business that relies on the Internet, whether it’s freelancers, whether it is Careem or cab-hailing [services], or whether it is somebody like FoodPanda, or mobile banking, all of them rely on the Internet to be able to offer services to their customers.

“That is the real cost to the economy and that runs in hundreds of millions of dollars with all these Internet shutdowns.”

Aamir Ibrahim, the CEO of Jazz, Pakistan’s largest telecom company, speaks during an interview with Arab News in Karachi on February 14, 2025. (AN photo)

Pakistan, a country of over 240 million, has witnessed up to 40% drop in Internet speeds in the last few months, according to the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP). The speed drop comes amid what activities and opposition parties widely describe as a state-led digital crackdown that has included a ban on X, the imposition of a national firewall and attempts to restrict VPN use. 

The government denies any of the moves are aimed at censorship but rather at protecting national interests and going after terrorists and others who spread misinformation or incite violence online. 

Ibrahim acknowledged that the government had to maintain “a hard balancing act.”

“We have to be cognizant of the fact that there is a lot of fake information, a lot of fake news, things that can be detrimental to the interests of the country and even consumers and citizens and for that, you need a policy framework,” the Jazz CEO said. 

He urged the government to come up with a “mechanism” to tackle “deliberate vilification or other institution-damaging narratives” spread online. 

“So from a digital operator company perspective, we certainly advocate unrestricted Internet but the government has to actually balance it with the security concerns and concerns where information can become detrimental to national causes.”


PM Sharif to visit Uzbekistan today as Pakistan eyes regional trade and transit hub role

Updated 25 February 2025
Follow

PM Sharif to visit Uzbekistan today as Pakistan eyes regional trade and transit hub role

  • Sharif’s visit will focus on strengthening connectivity, bilateral cooperation in trade, energy and defense sectors
  • Pakistan aims to capitalize on its geostrategic location to connect landlocked Central Asia with rest of the world

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is undertaking a two-day visit to Uzbekistan on Feb. 25-26 as Pakistan eyes the role of a key regional transit hub, the foreign office said, adding the visit would also focus on bilateral cooperation in trade, energy and defense sectors.
Pakistan has been working to strengthen its position as a key trade and transit hub, connecting landlocked Central Asian states to the global market through its strategic location, and last year saw a surge in visits, investment discussions and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian nations.
Sharif’s visit to Uzbekistan follows his tour of Azerbaijan, during which both countries signed multiple agreements to enhance cooperation in the trade, energy, tourism and education sectors.
Sharif is visiting Uzbekistan at the invitation of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and both countries are expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements during the visit, according to Pakistan’s foreign office.
“Prime Minister of Pakistan and President of Uzbekistan, during the bilateral meeting, would discuss all areas of bilateral cooperation including connectivity, economic, trade, investment, energy, defense and security, regional stability, and education,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
“The leaders would also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.”
During the visit, Sharif would also address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum.
“Leading businessmen from both sides will participate in the Business Forum and hold B2B (business-to-business) meetings to further enhance bilateral trade,” the foreign office said.
Uzbekistan is the largest consumer market and second biggest economy in Central Asia. It is the first Central Asian country with which Pakistan has signed a bilateral Transit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) and bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) on 17 items, according to the Pakistani foreign office.
In February 2023, Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed a $1 billion deal to boost bilateral trade at a meeting in Tashkent, aiming to promote the exchange of goods and services. Last month, Uzbek Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev also announced plans to launch direct flights from Uzbekistan to the southern Pakistani city of Karachi.
“The Prime Minister’s visit underscores Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen its ties with Uzbekistan, through fostering greater economic collaboration and exploring new avenues of partnership, as part of the strategic vision for regional integration and economic prosperity,” the foreign office added.