Aviation authority says Hajj flights departed, others delayed temporarily after fire at Lahore airport/node/2507241/pakistan
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)
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.
ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of lawyers are protesting on Islamabad’s streets today, Monday, against controversial constitutional amendments that they say are aimed at undermining the judiciary and the recent transfer of three high court judges to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Pakistan’s ruling coalition government passed the contentious 26th constitutional amendment bill from both houses of parliament in October 2024, amid stiff resistance from opposition parties and Pakistani lawyers. The amendments empower a parliamentary committee to appoint the Supreme Court’s chief justice for a fixed term of three years, and call for the creation of new group of senior judges to weigh exclusively on constitutional issues. The government says the amendments are aimed at providing speedy justice to citizens and it is parliament’s right to pass laws it deems fit to ensure its sovereignty.
The protests are taking place as the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) is expected to meet on Monday to consider the elevation of eight high court judges to the Supreme Court. Four Supreme Court judges on Friday wrote to Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, who is also the chair of the JCP, to postpone the meeting and not decide on new judicial appointments until a challenge to the controversial amendments is decided one way or the other.
The lawyers are also protesting against President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent move to transfer three judges from the Sindh, Balochistan and Lahore high courts to the Islamabad High Court (IHC), alleging that the move is unconstitutional as it undermines the seniority of the judges already serving in the IHC.
“Our job is very clear and it is that we have to participate in this [protest] and present our stance,” Barrister Ali Zafar, a prominent lawyer, told reporters at Islamabad’s Red Zone area.
Zafar acknowledged that some lawyers were in favor of the judicial transfers and the constitutional amendments, acknowledging that a “division” existed among them.
“There is definitely a division among lawyers, some are on this side and some are on that side,” he said. “But you will see that this movement will keep on growing.”
Footage on social media showed lawyers chanting slogans against the government and demanding independence of the judiciary. Local media reported deployment of heavy police contingent within the Supreme Court’s premises while entry points to the Red Zone, which houses the highest executive, judicial and legislative authority buildings of the country, were sealed to keep the lawyers away.
Local media also reported that Serena Chowk, Nadra Chowk and Express Chowk areas were sealed to prevent lawyers from arriving at the iconic D-Chowk venue to register their protest.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Police took to social media account X to assure residents it would ensure their protection despite the protests.
“Islamabad Police is actively working to ensure your safety and to ensure the establishment of law and order throughout the district,” police wrote on X.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s injured right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf is expected to be “fully recovered” ahead of this month’s ICC Champions Trophy tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said recently, brushing aside concerns he would be ruled out of the tournament.
Rauf sustained a muscular sprain in the lower chest wall region during Pakistan’s match against New Zealand on Saturday, triggering fears the bowler would be ruled out of the tournament. Along with pacers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rauf is an essential part of the South Asian country’s pace attack.
“The injury is not serious and he is expected to be fully recovered for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which commences in Karachi on 19 February,” the PCB said on Sunday. “However, as a precautionary measure and part of his ongoing rehabilitation, he will not be available for selection against South Africa on 12 February.”
Pakistan are already reeling from in-form left-handed batter Saim Ayub’s absence, who was ruled out of the tournament after suffering an ankle injury while fielding against South Africa last month. Ayub’s injury has made room for left-arm batter Fakhar Zaman, who scored an impressive 84 runs from 69 balls against New Zealand on Saturday.
Pakistan are currently playing a tri-nation series against South Africa and New Zealand in Karachi and Lahore cities respectively. The series, seen as a warm-up ahead of the 50-over Champions Trophy tournament, will conclude on Feb. 14.
Pakistan lost the opening match of the tournament against New Zealand in Lahore by 78 runs. The tourists amassed 330/6 at the end of their 50 overs, which was too much for Pakistan who were bundled out for 252 runs in 47.5 overs.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with his Malaysian counterpart and expressed steadfast support for the Palestinian cause on Monday, the foreign office said in a statement, amid calls by US President Donald Trump to relocate people from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan.
Dar previously spoke to the foreign ministers of Iran and Egypt on Sunday to drum up support for Palestinians in Gaza. His interactions come after last week’s comments by Trump in which he floated the idea of US administration over Gaza, envisioning rebuilding the devastated territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East” after resettling Palestinians elsewhere, namely Egypt and Jordan.
The remarks have prompted global backlash, mostly from Arab countries who have firmly rejected the proposal and insisted on a two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Dar spoke to Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Hajji Mohamad bin Hajji Hasan over the phone to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the overall situation of the Middle East region, the foreign office said.
“The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their just cause,” the statement said. “He also conveyed Pakistan’s support for the convening of an Extraordinary OIC meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers to discuss this urgent issue.”
The development also takes place ahead of Egypt hosting a summit of Arab nations on Feb. 27 to discuss “the latest serious developments” concerning Palestinian territories, its foreign ministry said on Sunday.
Aid trucks have flooded into Gaza after an uneasy ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began on Jan. 19, raising hopes that the war that led to seismic shifts in the Middle East may be headed toward an end. The truce, however, is fragile.
Israel has said it won’t agree to a complete withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas’ military and political capabilities are eliminated. Hamas says it won’t hand over the last hostages until Israel removes all troops from the territory.
During the 42-day first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas is gradually releasing 33 Israeli hostages captured during its Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and a flood of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The deal also stipulates that Israeli troops will pull back from populated areas.
In the second phase, all remaining living hostages would be released in return for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and “sustainable calm.”
England’s Bethell ruled out of Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy— captain
Left-handed Jacob Bethell sat out second ODI against India with hamstring injury
England call up Somerset batsman Tom Banton on Sunday as cover for injured Bethell
Updated 10 February 2025
AFP
NEW DELHI: Jacob Bethell is set to miss next week’s Champions Trophy after the left-handed batsman sat out the second one-day international against India with a hamstring injury.
The 21-year-old Bethell made 51 in the opening defeat last week, but was missing on Sunday as India took an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series in Cuttack.
The 50-over Champions Trophy begins on Feb. 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.
“I’m pretty sure (Bethell) has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy, to be honest,” captain Jos Buttler admitted after England’s four-wicket defeat.
“That’s really disappointing for him. Obviously, he played nicely the other day and has been one of the really exciting players,” he added.
“It’s a shame that injury is going to rule him out.”
England have not made an official statement on Bethell’s status, but they called up Somerset batsman Tom Banton on Sunday as cover.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Banton, 26, was due to arrive in India on Monday and join the England squad for the final match of the series in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
Banton has played in six ODIs, with a top score of 58 and averages 26.80 with the bat.
England’s first match in the Champions Trophy is against World Cup winners Australia on Feb. 22.
QUETTA: In the heart of Quetta’s Fayaz Sumbal Shaheed Police Lines, 24-year-old Nimra Muhammad Suleman stands poised among over two dozen female police officials, all preparing for their morning parade.
Having completed a rigorous seven-month training in January at the Police Training College on Quetta’s outskirts, Suleman is driven by a singular purpose: serving and protecting the women and children of Balochistan’s conservative tribal society.
Pakistan’s largest province in terms of landmass, the country’s southwestern region of Balochistan has long grappled with security challenges, with separatist groups intensifying their insurgency in recent years, notably by employing female suicide bombers.
Two years ago, a 30-year-old mother of two blew herself up at Karachi University, killing a group of Chinese academics to avenge Beijing’s decision to jointly undertake infrastructure and energy projects with Pakistan.
The collaboration did not sit well with separatist Baloch outfits, who accuse Pakistan of exploiting the province’s natural resources without benefiting the local population— an allegation denied by successive governments, which say they are carrying out development projects to improve people’s quality of life.
Given the changing nature of the threat, law enforcement agencies have also inducted more female officials in recent years.
“We are not lady constables,” Suleman said while speaking to Arab News on Friday. “We are police officers, and we can do everything by standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our male colleagues, including protecting women and children and countering terrorism.”
Security personnel stand guard outside the Fayaz Suambal Shaheed Police Lines in Quetta, Pakistan, on February 7, 2025. (AN Photo)
The recent graduation of over 1,600 cadets from the Police Training College, including 386 women from 32 districts, marks a transformative moment for Balochistan’s security.
“In other areas such as Punjab and Sindh, [women] police constables were in higher proportion. And now in Balochistan, a very large batch has passed out this time,” she continued. “We will now be equal [in terms of our strength] to Punjab and Sindh.”
Nimra Muhammad Suleman (center) a police cadets, marches at the Fayaz Suambal Shaheed Police Lines in Quetta, Pakistan, on February 7, 2025. (AN Photo)
According to the provincial police department, the newly graduated women police officers have completed various training sessions alongside their male colleagues, including intense shooting practice and lessons on sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Now, female officers will also take part in snap checking of vehicles, conduct investigations and carry out raids against suspected criminals.
“When I was posted here in 2014, the total strength of women police personnel was 32, but as crime rates against women increased, the department raised the number to over 500,” said Station House Officer Zarghoona Kakar who trained Suleman and her batch.
“From now on, women will be seen everywhere in Balochistan because the time has changed when women police officers were limited to raids and office work,” she added.
The integration of these female officers comes at a critical juncture. In 2024 alone, Balochistan reported nearly 40 attacks against its police force, resulting in 25 fatalities and 61 injuries.
For many of these newly inducted officers, joining the police force required overcoming societal and familial hurdles. Javeriya Sarwar, another graduate, emphasized the importance of parental support.
Javeriya Sarwar (first right) and Nimra Muhammad Suleman (left) stand guard for a regular parade at the Fayaz Sumbal Shaheed Police Lines in Quetta, Pakistan, on February 7, 2025. (AN Photo)
“Many people in Balochistan have a negative mindset toward sending their daughters to the police department, but girls should join the police force since it provides us the opportunity to serve the masses,” she said.
Initially, Sarwar’s father was hesitant about her career choice, but she persuaded him to allow her to pursue her passion for policing.
“A man in uniform can sacrifice his life for the country,” she said. “With Balochistan being plagued by terrorism, it was my passion to sacrifice everything for the police force and Pakistan.”
