Women entrepreneurs shine at special Ramadan bazaar in Pakistani capital 

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Updated 03 April 2024
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Women entrepreneurs shine at special Ramadan bazaar in Pakistani capital 

Women entrepreneurs shine at special Ramadan bazaar in Pakistani capital 
  • Three-day event has been organized by Rawalpindi Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry from April 1 to 3
  • Special bazaar features over 30 stalls showcasing embroidered clothing, jewelry and bags made and sold by women

ISLAMABAD: Women entrepreneurs have created a buzz at a three-day Ramadan bazaar being held in Pakistan’s federal capital of Islamabad, arriving from all corners of the country to sell handmade clothing, bags, jewelry and other festive items.

The “Empower Women, Empower Nation” bazaar has been organized by the Rawalpindi Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RWCCI), which invited woman entrepreneurs from all over Pakistan to display and sell products from their respective regions.

Organized outside the city’s Centaurus Mall, the special bazaar will run from April 1-3 and features more than 30 stalls.

“We have come from Multan to Islamabad because we always get a very good response from Islamabad,” Haseena Begum, an entrepreneur selling handmade embroidered bags, told Arab News as she attended to customers visiting her stall.

“We also attract good customers from Islamabad for online [shopping] and we want to be called [into events] like this so that our handmade work sells out here.”




Women entrepreneurs from across Pakistan showcase their handmade products at the three-day women Ramadan bazaar in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 1, 2024. (AN Photo)

RWCCI President Sabohi Hussain said the primary objective of the event was to promote women entrepreneurs who operated from home.

“These ladies belong to remote areas. Some of them are from Multan, Gilgit, Hunza, and other remote areas,” she told Arab News. “We are promoting them, we are guiding them, we are teaching them, training them for international and national exhibitions.”




Women entrepreneurs from across Pakistan showcase their handmade products at the three-day women Ramadan bazaar in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 1, 2024. (AN Photo)

Rubab Ghazanfar, an entrepreneur from the Dera Ghazi Khan district who was selling a range of semi-stitched, unstitched and stitched garments, said all her clothes were handmade. 

“These events are much appreciated for the opportunity they provide us,” she told Arab News. “In this holy month of Ramadan, may Allah grant us all success here.”

Ayesha Ikhlas from Rawalpindi said she was excited about the opportunity to exhibit her new clothing and cosmetics line right outside a major mall in Islamabad.

“It is a good opportunity for those who have just launched new businesses, they can start their business in a good way here,” she told Arab News.




Women entrepreneurs from across Pakistan showcase their handmade products at the three-day women Ramadan bazaar in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 1, 2024. (AN Photo)

Sadia Hashmi, a visitor, said all handmade items at the bazaar were “very lovely,” especially the jewelry, and being sold at reasonable prices. 

“I am standing at a stall that has jewelry which is designed by the woman herself,” she said. “It is beautifully designed and I like it very much.”


Pakistan PM to take notice of cricket team’s dismal state of affairs— aide 

Pakistan PM to take notice of cricket team’s dismal state of affairs— aide 
Updated 19 sec ago
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Pakistan PM to take notice of cricket team’s dismal state of affairs— aide 

Pakistan PM to take notice of cricket team’s dismal state of affairs— aide 
  • Hosts Pakistan crashed out of ICC Champions Trophy tournament after losses to New Zealand, India last week 
  • Rana Sanaullah laments poor standard of cricket at basic levels, exorbitant salaries of cricket board officials 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will take notice of the dismal state of affairs of cricket in the country, his adviser on political affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Thursday, after the national cricket team’s early round exit from the ICC Champions Trophy tournament this week. 

Hosts and defending champions Pakistan crashed out of the group stage of the Champions Trophy tournament after successive losses to New Zealand and India in their first two matches last week. 

Angry cricket fans have raised questions on Pakistan’s embarrassing elimination, pointing to selection flaws, lack of cricketing talent and intent to play modern cricket.

“So the prime minister will definitely take notice of all these things and we will also tell him that this should be discussed in parliament and cabinet,” Sanaullah told Geo News. 

The prime minister’s aide highlighted the dismal conditions of cricket at club, university and district levels, saying that the board should take drastic measures to improve basic cricket. 

He criticized the PCB’s decision to appoint mentors last year on a Rs5 million [$17,885] salary per month without explaining to them their job responsibilities. 

“They [mentors[ have been heard admitting to the media that they are unaware of their responsibilities, so they’ve been taking Rs5m monthly for not working,” Sanaullah said. 

He lamented that the same was the situation in other sports associations of Pakistan. 

“They are retired people who take up these positions there to enjoy the perks and privileges and facilities,” he said. 

“I think all these things need to be looked at and we need to bring basic changes there.”


Pakistan’s Sindh to procure 1,000 ‘pink’ electric motorcycles to encourage women empowerment

Pakistan’s Sindh to procure 1,000 ‘pink’ electric motorcycles to encourage women empowerment
Updated 28 min 23 sec ago
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Pakistan’s Sindh to procure 1,000 ‘pink’ electric motorcycles to encourage women empowerment

Pakistan’s Sindh to procure 1,000 ‘pink’ electric motorcycles to encourage women empowerment
  • Women driving motorcycles is rare in conservative Pakistan, where many are deprived of education, work opportunities 
  • Applicants must be students or employed, have two-wheeler license and be residents of Sindh, says Chief Minister’s House

KARACHI: The provincial government in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province on Thursday announced it would procure 1,000 pink electric motorcycles for women to encourage female mobility and provide them with sustainable transportation, a statement from the Chief Minister’s House said. 

Women driving motorcycles is rare in conservative Pakistan, where men in many households are the breadwinners while women tend to chores at home. Women driving cars or riding pillion on two-wheelers driven by a male relative is more socially acceptable in the country. 

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting of the provincial government’s senior ministers, advisers and special assistants to review provincial matters on Thursday. During the meeting, Shah was told that the Transport and Sindh Mass Transit Authority (T&MTD) plans to launch a program aimed at enhancing female mobility through sustainable transportation.

“This initiative will introduce approximately 1,000 electric motorcycles for women, which will be allocated through an open and transparent balloting process,” the CM House said.

“The initiative requires Rs300 million to be obtained outside the budget.”

The cabinet also noted that an increasing number of women worldwide are opting for electric motorcycles as their primary mode of transport for daily commuting. 

“Key factors driving this demand include greater mobility, cost-effectiveness compared to cars or public transport, eco-friendliness, and minimal maintenance,” the statement said. 

The CM House said electric bike provide women independence, promote economic empowerment, break gender stereotypes and improve safety and security for them.

Applicants must be permanent residents of Sindh, a student or a “working female,” and hold a valid two-wheeler driving license. 

The applicant also cannot sell the electric motorcycle for a period of seven years, the statement said. 


UAE-based company founded by Pakistanis to back AI-first ventures with $100 million investment

UAE-based company founded by Pakistanis to back AI-first ventures with $100 million investment
Updated 27 February 2025
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UAE-based company founded by Pakistanis to back AI-first ventures with $100 million investment

UAE-based company founded by Pakistanis to back AI-first ventures with $100 million investment
  • Disrupt.com says $100 million commitment to focus on AI, cybersecurity, Web3.0, automotive technology and retail innovation
  • Company says it partners with ambitious entrepreneurs to build, scale and invest in high-potential, globally focused tech startups

KARACHI: A venture builder company with its headquarters in the UAE and founded by Pakistani entrepreneurs, Disrupt.com, announced a $100 million commitment to build and back AI-first ventures worldwide on Thursday. 
Founded initially in 2008 as “Gaditek” in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi by three entrepreneurs named Aaqib Gadit, Uzair Gadit, and Umair Gadit, venture builder and investor Disrupt.com says it partners with ambitious entrepreneurs to build, scale and invest in high-potential, globally focused technology startups. 
“Today, Disrupt.com— founded by Aaqib Gadit, Uzair Gadit, and Umair Gadit— has announced a $100 million commitment to build and back AI-first technology ventures worldwide,” the company said in a statement. 
Disrupt.com said that since it began operations, the company has deployed over $40 million into its portfolio, supporting a mix of startups that it “built from scratch, co-built with external founders, and invested in as strategic backers.”
“The $100 million commitment announced by Disrupt.com will focus on five key areas: artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, Web3.0, automotive technology, and retail innovation,” it said.
Web3 is an umbrella term for technologies like blockchain that decentralize data ownership and control on the Internet.
“By targeting pre-seed to Series A stage startups with strong organic growth potential and clear paths to profitability, the venture builder aims to create sustainable businesses that will shape the future of industries worldwide,” it added. 
Aaqib Gadit said now is the time to start “doubling down” on investing in the next wave of startups that will shape the future of the world. 
“With Web 3.0 in its infancy and AI storming into our lives, the opportunity to problem solve and create businesses that will fit the needs of how people live and work is up for the taking,” he said in a statement shared by Disrupt.com.
Uzair Gadit said the big moves in AI and tech always come from either China or the US.
“We believe that MENA and Pakistan have a key role to play in this transformation,” he said. 
Disrupt.com says its portfolio already includes ZigChain, a Web3.0 platform with 500,000+ users and hundreds of millions in managed assets, and PureSquare, a cybersecurity venture. 
The company says it has also made strategic investments in AI-focused startups such as Agentnoon, an organizational transformation platform, and Ahya, a climate action scaling tool.


Pakistan approves FIFA’s proposed amendments to lift international suspension

Pakistan approves FIFA’s proposed amendments to lift international suspension
Updated 27 February 2025
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Pakistan approves FIFA’s proposed amendments to lift international suspension

Pakistan approves FIFA’s proposed amendments to lift international suspension
  • FIFA suspended Pakistan on Feb. 6 after South Asian country rejected electoral reforms 
  • Pakistan hopes move would pave way for team to play in Asian Cup qualifiers in March 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Thursday unanimously approved FIFA’s proposed constitutional amendments in an extraordinary meeting in Lahore, the body said, as it attempts to return to international soccer again.
FIFA hit Pakistan on Feb. 6 with a third international suspension in less than eight years after the federation rejected electoral reforms. 
Attendees at the Extraordinary Congress called by the PFF in Lahore included officials from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
“The congress members endorsed the FIFA proposed amendments in the best interest of Pakistan football, paving the way for the national team’s participation in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers following the expected lifting of FIFA’s suspension,” the PFF said in a statement.
The global football governing body warned the suspension would only be lifted subject to the PFF Congress “approving the PFF Constitution’s version presented by FIFA and the AFC [Asian Football Confederation].”
The PFF said it was hopeful the suspension would be lifted in time for Pakistan to play Syria on Mar. 25 in its first qualifier for the 2027 Asian Cup.


Nearly weeklong closure of Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing disrupts trade, traffic

Nearly weeklong closure of Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing disrupts trade, traffic
Updated 27 February 2025
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Nearly weeklong closure of Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing disrupts trade, traffic

Nearly weeklong closure of Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing disrupts trade, traffic
  • Pakistan shut down over dispute concerning Afghanistan’s construction of border post on Feb. 21
  • Since then 5,000 trucks and vehicles carrying perishable goods have been stranded on both sides

PESHAWAR, Pakistan: A nearly weeklong closure of a key crossing on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has disrupted bilateral trade and the movement of people, causing financial losses to traders and leaving people stranded in harsh winter conditions, officials said Thursday.

The Torkham border crossing has remained closed since Feb. 21 after Pakistan shut it down over a dispute concerning Afghanistan’s construction of a border post.

Since then, more than 5,000 trucks and vehicles carrying goods, including fruits and vegetables, have been stranded on both sides, awaiting the reopening of the trade route, according to Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, a director of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Torkham also serves as a vital corridor for transporting goods between Pakistan and Central Asian countries, and Sarhadi urged both countries to resolve their dispute so that bilateral trade and movement of people could resume.

At Torkham, truck driver Najeeb Ullah said that he was forced to sleep in his vehicle because he can’t leave it unguarded on the road.

“We request Pakistan and Afghanistan to have mercy on us, as we are suffering without any reason,” he told reporters.

Another driver, Mustafa Khan, said that he was hoping to return to his northwestern city of Peshawar after delivering a supply of cement in Afghan city Jalalabad, but “I am stuck here since Friday, and I have no idea for how many days we will have to face this trouble.”

Farhad Nusrat, an Afghan citizen, said that he was returning home with his mother and children, and the closure of the border crossing has forced them to spend their days and nights in the open area. He appealed to Pakistani authorities to reopen the border.

Authorities said that hundreds of Pakistanis were also stranded on the other side of the border.

There was no immediate comment from Pakistan. However, Abdul Jabbar Hikmat, the commissioner on the Afghan side of the border, confirmed the closure by Pakistan.

“Whenever Pakistani authorities conduct construction on their side, we say nothing. But whenever we do something, they close the border,” Hikmat said.

Border closures at Torkham are common because of disputes over new posts along the porous Durand Line, which Afghanistan has never officially recognized. Pakistan, meanwhile, has nearly completed a border fence to strengthen control.

The Torkham crossing is located on the edge of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Pakistani Taliban militants frequently target security forces.