Pakistan launches post-Hajj flight operation, plans to bring back 1,200 pilgrims today/node/2534016/pakistan
Pakistan launches post-Hajj flight operation, plans to bring back 1,200 pilgrims today
In this handout photograph, taken and released by the Saudi Press Agency on June 19, 2024, Hajj pilgrims offer prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah as pilgrims start departing to their respective countries after performing annual pilgrimage in Makkah. (SPA)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan launched the post-Hajj flight operation on Thursday, bringing back the first batch of 150 pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, with the religious affairs ministry saying that nearly 1,200 devotees would return via seven special flights to four different cities by the end of the day.
Transporting large numbers of pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season presents a significant logistical challenge, prompting the government to launch special flights, ensuring safe and timely travel for pilgrims.
The first post-Hajj flight operated between Jeddah and Multan, with six additional flights scheduled to return pilgrims to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad later in the day.
The religious affairs ministry announced that 720 Pakistani pilgrims in Saudi Arabia will also travel to Madinah today. These pilgrims arrived in the kingdom shortly before Hajj began and were taken directly to Makkah, not having enough time to visit the Prophet’s Mosque before.
“The Hajj flight operation from Jeddah for the return of pilgrims will continue until July 9,” the ministry said in a statement. “The last Hajj flight from Madinah will arrive back in the homeland on July 21. The return of 70,000 government Hajj pilgrims will also be completed on July 21.”
In a separate statement, the ministry also announced the arrangements for distributing Zamzam water among pilgrims availing the government scheme.
“The ministry has made all airlines responsible through an agreement to facilitate pilgrims at designated points to collect Zamzam water,” it said.
The statement urged the pilgrims to collect the water from relevant airports and book it with their luggage.
Pilgrims often bring Zamzam water back from Hajj because it is considered sacred within Islam. The water comes from the Zamzam well located within the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
It is also believed to have unique properties and blessings, ensuring spiritual benefits and healing.
Female officers will participate in snap checking of vehicles, conduct investigations and carry out raids
They completed seven-month training alongside their male colleagues, including intense shooting practice
SAADULLAH AKHTER
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.”
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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
“Punjab and Sindh provinces have a large number of women police officers,” she continued, “but this time a bigger batch of women soldiers has [graduated in Balochistan], and 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 soldiers 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 soldiers 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.
“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.
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)
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.”
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani restaurants showcased their culinary expertise and artistic creativity during the five-day Riyadh Food Festival in Saudi Arabia, a statement from Pakistan’s embassy in the Kingdom said on Sunday, offering visitors from across the world a taste of the country’s cuisines and delicacies.
The festival, which was held from Feb. 5-9 under the patronage of the Culinary Commission of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, brought together diverse culinary traditions and cultural experiences from around the world, with Pakistan making a significant impact through its rich flavors and vibrant artistic heritage, the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh said.
Among other outlets, Pakistan was represented at the festival by three prominent restaurants--Zouq Nihari, Lahore Village and Tikka Masala.
“Visitors had the opportunity to indulge in traditional delicacies and an array of delectable Pakistani street food, all of which received an enthusiastic response from food lovers in Riyadh,” the embassy said.
A Pakistani kiosks called "Lahori Village" is pictured at Riyadh Food Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 6, 2025. (Pakistan Embassy in Saudi Arabia)
It said Pakistan’s pavilion at the festival also featured two dedicated retail kiosks showcasing the country’s culinary and artistic brilliance. Mehran Foods, a leading name in Pakistani spices, set up a display of its premium spice range, offering visitors a chance to experience Pakistan’s “bold and aromatic flavors.”
A special kiosk dedicated to Pakistan’s iconic truck art was also set up at the festival. It featured intricately designed truck art wares such as hand-painted decorative pieces, household items and souvenirs.
“A live painting demonstration by skilled Pakistani truck artists further captivated audiences, allowing visitors to witness the meticulous craftsmanship and cultural storytelling embedded in this unique art form,” it said.
A painter paints a truck at Riyadh Food Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 6, 2025. (Pakistan Embassy in Saudi Arabia)
“The enthusiastic response from visitors underscores the growing appreciation for Pakistani cuisine and craftsmanship in Saudi Arabia,” Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia said in a statement.
The embassy said the festival provided an excellent opportunity for Pakistan to strengthen its cultural ties with Saudi Arabia while promoting its food industry and artistic heritage to a wider audience.
“The Embassy of Pakistan remains committed to fostering deeper cultural exchanges between the two nations and looks forward to future collaborations that showcase Pakistan’s rich traditions on the international stage,” it said.
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has left for Portugal’s capital Lisbon to condole the death of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, Pakistan’s foreign office recently said.
The late Aga Khan, who led the global Ismaili community for nearly seven decades, passed away last week at the age of 88. His death was announced by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Ismaili religious community.
A private funeral service took place at the Ismaili community center in Lisbon on Saturday, attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Spain’s King Emeritus Juan Carlos, Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. He was laid to rest on Sunday at a private ceremony in Aswan, Egypt.
“The President will meet His Highness Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, to extend his condolences on the passing away of late Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement on Sunday.
“During the visit President will also meet President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.”
Following the late Aga Khan’s passing, his eldest son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, 53, was named the Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam of the community, in accordance with his father’s will.
The AKDN, founded by the late Ismaili leader, has been instrumental in various development projects in Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions. Initiatives such as the Aga Khan Rural Support Program have focused on poverty alleviation, health care, education and cultural preservation, significantly contributing to the socio-economic development of these areas.
The Ismaili community in Pakistan, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, has benefited from these initiatives, which have also had a positive impact on the national economy through improved infrastructure and human development.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani tech companies participating in the four-day LEAP 2025 tech conference in Riyadh are hopeful of attracting business deals worth $50 million at the global tech event, the head of Pakistani software producers’ association said on Sunday.
The fourth edition of LEAP, recognized as Saudi Arabia’s award-winning global technology event, opened on Sunday and will continue till Feb. 12, for which entrepreneurs, investors and startups have converged in Riyadh to present their products to an anticipated audience of over 170,000 visitors. It follows last year’s record-breaking LEAP 2024, which saw $13.4 billion in investments and project commitments. Under the theme “Into New Worlds,” LEAP 2025 aims to expand business networking and investment opportunities in the tech sector.
Pakistan recorded the highest-ever monthly IT exports of $348 million in Dec. 2024, up by 15 percent year-on-year and 12 percent month-on-month, according to official data. The LEAP event offers Pakistani firms a platform to collaborate with stakeholders, explore business opportunities and showcase Pakistan’s diverse IT exports, including software development, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, fintech, gaming and robotics.
“This year, we have one of the largest delegations ever at LEAP, with over 100 companies and more than 1,000 delegates participating,” Sajjad Mustafa Syed, chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), told Arab News over the phone from Riyadh.
“With this strong presence at LEAP, we expect to double our business this year and generate $50 million in deals.”
Pakistani IT companies continue to maintain a strong presence in the Kingdom and this year some of the biggest names, including Systems Limited, Abacus and Excellence Delivered, are participating in the mega tech event, according to the P@SHA chairman.
In addition, several startups, around 20 companies sponsored by P@SHA, and a few more sponsored by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) are attending the event, while some Pakistani firms have joined independently.
Syed said Saudi investors “responded positively” to Pakistani companies during a meeting of the Pakistan-Saudi Business Forum that was held ahead of the LEAP inauguration.
“There is growing excitement about Pakistan’s IT industry, which has now firmly arrived on the global stage,” he said. “We are no longer at the startup or entry level rather we are now a recognized force in the global tech landscape, and this recognition is evident in Saudi Arabia.”
Syed said Pakistan’s tech solutions were “at par with the best in the world, if not superior.”
“Our companies are making strides in high-tech sectors such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity,” he added.
Former P@SHA chairman Muhammad Zohaib Khan, whose e-solutions company A2Z Creatorz is participating in LEAP, said the event has enabled many Pakistani firms to establish businesses in the Kingdom over the past few years.
“Our participation in LEAP 2024 was a huge success as around 25 Pakistani companies registered in the Kingdom after that and secured some good business deals,” he told Arab News.
“This year, we hope more companies will have the opportunity to register in the Kingdom through collaborations with Saudi firms and secure significant business by establishing offices in Saudi Arabia.”
Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Farooq, said the LEAP conference has developed into one of the foremost global IT events since 2022.
“The participation of over 100 Pakistani IT companies at LEAP 2025 is a testament to Pakistan’s growing strength in the global technology sector,” he said.
He said the Pakistani IT industry is offering cutting-edge solutions in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and software development, making Pakistan a key player in digital transformation.
“To further strengthen collaboration and engagement, I had the pleasure of hosting a networking dinner in Riyadh on February 8, bringing together over 400 distinguished guests, including business leaders, investors, and technology experts,” he said, adding that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 presents immense opportunities and Pakistan is committed to fostering deeper cooperation through innovation in the region.
The LEAP tech conference plays a critical role in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global technology hub, aligning with its Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy. As part of the initiative, the Kingdom has pledged $100 billion toward advancing its technology sector.
LEAP 2025 will debut Tech Arena, a platform for emerging innovations, featuring a ‘Live TV’ stage hosted by BBC Click’s Lara Lewington and Spencer Kelly. It is one of two new segments at LEAP 2025, alongside the SportsTech stage, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for innovation and technological growth.
Visitors will explore AI, mixed reality, fashion tech, and brain-computer interfaces. Key highlights include Anouk Wipprecht’s Tech Couture exhibit, Adobe’s ‘Project Primrose’ digital dress technology, and Aramco-backed Terra Drone’s long-range medical delivery system. Saudi oil giant Aramco will also showcase SARA, an AI-driven assistant for decision-making. Engine VR will present its Golden Gloves VR boxing platform with live demos by UFC fighter Andrew Sanchez, while Alwaleed Philanthropies will showcase its Atlai AI program to support global deforestation monitoring. XPANCEO will introduce smart contact lenses with integrated computing.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will leave for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today, Monday, to attend the World Governments Summit (WGS) on Feb. 10-11, the Pakistani foreign office said on Sunday.
The summit will bring together a large number of Heads of State/Government, global policymakers, and leading private sector figures to discuss the future of governance, innovation and international cooperation, according to the Pakistani foreign office.
This will be Sharif’s second visit to the UAE since assuming office in March last year. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and other key members of his cabinet.
“The Prime Minister will deliver a keynote address at the WGS, highlighting Pakistan’s vision for inclusive economic growth, digital transformation and governance reforms,” the foreign office said in a statement.
“He will also hold bilateral meetings with the UAE leadership as well as engage with Heads of State/Government from participating countries and leading CEOs of major multinational companies.”
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s 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.
It is also home to more than a million Pakistani expatriates, making it the second-largest Pakistani expatriate community worldwide, as per the foreign office, and a major source of foreign workers’ remittances for Pakistan.
Both countries have stepped up efforts in recent years to strengthen their business and investment relations. In January 2024, Pakistan and the UAE signed multiple agreements worth more than $3 billion for cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure, a Pakistani official said, amid Pakistani caretaker prime minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s visit to Davos for the World Economic Forum’s summit.
“The prime minister’s visit underscores Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to further strengthening its ties with the UAE, fostering greater economic collaboration and exploring new avenues of partnership for mutual prosperity,” the foreign office added.
