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On World Press Freedom Day, Pakistani PM says journalists in Gaza ‘heroes of humanity’

On World Press Freedom Day, Pakistani PM says journalists in Gaza ‘heroes of humanity’
Police personnel stand guard in front of news media vans parked outside a special court in Islamabad on August 21, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 03 May 2024
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On World Press Freedom Day, Pakistani PM says journalists in Gaza ‘heroes of humanity’

On World Press Freedom Day, Pakistani PM says journalists in Gaza ‘heroes of humanity’
  • Committee to Protect Journalists says at least 97 press members killed in Gaza war, 92 of them Palestinians
  • UNESCO on Thursday awarded its world press freedom prize to all Palestinian journalists covering the war in Gaza
Updated 03 May 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday the journalists who were covering the war in Gaza, especially those who had died in the line of duty, were “heroes of humanity.”
Sharif said this in his statement on World Press Freedom Day, observed on May 3 each year to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The day also marks the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek in 1991.
According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 97 members of the press have been killed since the war in Gaza broke out in October, 92 of whom were Palestinians.
“The male and female journalists who sacrificed their lives during coverage in Gaza are heroes of humanity,” Sharif said. “I salute them.”
Separately, UNESCO on Thursday awarded its world press freedom prize to all Palestinian journalists covering the war in Gaza, launched by Israel over seven months.
“In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition to those Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances,” said Mauricio Weibel, chair of the international jury of media professionals.
“As humanity, we have a huge debt to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression.”
Audrey Azoulay, director general at the UN organization for education, science and culture, said the prize paid “tribute to the courage of journalists facing difficult and dangerous circumstances.”
The war started with Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to a media tally of Israeli official figures.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 34,596 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.
With inputs from AFP

Pakistan defeats Brazil to win Karate Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore

Pakistan defeats Brazil to win Karate Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore
Updated 5 sec ago
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Pakistan defeats Brazil to win Karate Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore

Pakistan defeats Brazil to win Karate Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore
  • Shahzaib Rind from southwestern Balochistan beats Brazilian Luiz Victor Rocha in final match
  • Pakistan diplomat Rabia Shafiq congratulates Rind for a “smashing fight and historic victory“
Updated 5 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has won the World Karate Combat Light Heavyweight Championship, state media reported on Thursday, as Shahzaib Rind beat Brazil’s Luiz Victor Rocha in the final in Singapore.
The World Karate Combat is a professional martial arts league which hosts events around the world, showcasing bouts between fighters from different weight classes and countries. The Light Heavyweight Championship is a specific weight class typically for fighters weighing between 175 to 205 pounds (79 to 93 kg).
“Pakistan’s Shahzaib Rind from Balochistan has won the World Karate Combat Light Heavyweight Championship in Singapore,” Radio Pakistan said on Thursday. “He defeated his Brazilian rival Luiz Victor Rocha in the final.
Pakistan High Commissioner to Singapore, Rabia Shafiq, congratulated Rind for the “smashing fight and historic victory” at the Karate Combat Singapore. 
“You have done us all proud. Keep reaching new heights, champ! Shout out to Pakistanis in Singapore for a massive show of support,” she said in a post on the social media site X.


Earlier this year, Pakistan edged India out 2-1 in the Karate Combat 45 competition in Dubai, with an “unstoppable” Rind convincingly beating India’s Rana Singh to seal the win. 
The fixture between the arch-rival neighbors was a much awaited one, especially due to the pre-match hype between fighters of the two countries.

Topics: shahzaib rind Karate Combat 45

Four security personnel killed in two separate attacks in northwest Pakistan

Four security personnel killed in two separate attacks in northwest Pakistan
Updated 20 min 58 sec ago
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Four security personnel killed in two separate attacks in northwest Pakistan

Four security personnel killed in two separate attacks in northwest Pakistan
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has witnessed attacks on police and security personnel, along with polio vaccination teams
  • The two attacks took place in Karak and North Waziristan districts, close to Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan
Updated 20 min 58 sec ago
REHMAT MEHSUD

PESHAWAR: Almost a week after police protested against militant attacks in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, four security personnel were killed in a targeted attack and a gunbattle with armed factions in the region on Thursday, confirmed police officials.
The first incident occurred in Karak, a southern district of the province, where unidentified assailants on a motorbike gunned down an official of the paramilitary Levies Force, an ill-equipped outfit, earlier in the day.
“Unidentified gunmen shot dead the Levies Force official in the center of the district after he left his home for duty,” Shaukat Khan, a police spokesperson in Karak district, told Arab News over the phone.
He informed that a police contingent arrived at the crime scene to gather evidence and trace the killers.
In another incident, three security personnel lost their lives in an exchange of fire with militants in North Waziristan’s Boya village near the border with Afghanistan.
“We have information of an exchange of fire near Boya in which three security personnel lost their lives,” Murad Khan, an official deployed at the police control room in the area, told Arab News.
KP, which borders Afghanistan, has witnessed numerous attacks on police, security personnel and anti-polio vaccination teams in recent months, along with kidnappings of civil and military officials.
Only a week ago, police in the volatile district of Lakki Marwat called off their days-long protest, condemning a spike in militant attacks and targeted killings of police officials.
Last week, unidentified gunmen opened fire on police guards escorting a polio vaccination team, killing one of them.
The Pakistan Army has a heavy presence across the province, where it has been battling militants from Al Qaeda, the Pakistani Taliban and other groups for nearly two decades.
There have been protests in several districts of KP since July, when Pakistan’s cabinet announced a new military operation amid a surge in terror attacks across the country.
People in KP have rejected plans for an armed operation and demand that civilian agencies like the police and the counter-terrorism department be better equipped.
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks so far, but officials in Islamabad say militants associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are primarily responsible for violence against the police and security personnel.
Islamabad has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers for “facilitating” anti-Pakistan militants, a charge Kabul denies.

Topics: Pakistan Army Karak

ICC team discusses security arrangements with Karachi police ahead of Champions Trophy

ICC team discusses security arrangements with Karachi police ahead of Champions Trophy
Updated 28 min 12 sec ago
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ICC team discusses security arrangements with Karachi police ahead of Champions Trophy

ICC team discusses security arrangements with Karachi police ahead of Champions Trophy
  • ICC delegation is on four-day visit to Pakistan ahead of tournament from Feb.19 to Mar. 9, 2025
  • Pakistan is continuing with final preparations to host their first multi-team event since 2008
Updated 28 min 12 sec ago
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: A delegation from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday visited a special unit of the Sindh police in Karachi to discuss security arrangements for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9 next year.
In addition to Karachi where it reviewed security arrangements at the National Stadium on Wednesday, the ICC team, which is on a four-day visit to Pakistan, will visit key cricket venues in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore to ensure they are in top condition to host the tournament next year. The delegation’s visit follows a previous inspection conducted by a three-member ICC team in April of this year.
On Thursday, the ICC delegation headed by Security Head of ICC Recce Team, David Masker, visited the Special Security Unit (SSU) Headquarters in Karachi.
“The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the ICC to ensure a safe and secure environment for players, officials, and fans during the prestigious event,” the SSU said in a statement. 
Commandant SSU Anwar Khetran briefed the ICC on security arrangements to be implemented during matches scheduled at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. 
“He emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach to security, which includes crowd management, emergency response plans, and collaboration with various stakeholders,” the statement added. 
DIG Security & Emergency Services Division Dr. Maqsood Ahmed also met with delegation and “encouraged all stakeholders to maintain high performance standards and to communicate any resource needs to management promptly, ensuring that all necessary support is in place for a successful tournament.”
The ICC delegation, according to the statement, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to working closely with local authorities to enhance security measures for the event.
The ICC delegation is scheduled to depart for Dubai on September 21 as Pakistan continues final preparations to host their first multi-team event since 2008.
Last week, ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice confirmed there were currently no plans to relocate the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from Pakistan.

Topics: ICC in Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025

‘Particularly worried’ about penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan — UN chief 

‘Particularly worried’ about penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan — UN chief 
Updated 56 min 34 sec ago
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‘Particularly worried’ about penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan — UN chief 

‘Particularly worried’ about penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan — UN chief 
  • Pakistan has seen rise in attacks in recent weeks which it blames on militants operating from Afghanistan
  • Afghan Taliban say they do not allow Afghanistan’s territory to be used by militants against other nations 
Updated 56 min 34 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday the international body was “particularly worried” about the penetration of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan, calling on Kabul not to allow its soil to be used by terror groups.
Pakistan has seen a rise in militant attacks in recent weeks, with many of them taking place in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan where Islamabad says groups like the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, or TTP, are hiding and from where they daily target security forces convoys and check posts, and carry out targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials. 
Militants, particularly from separatist groups, have also repeatedly struck in the southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan and Iran.
“We are particularly worried… when we look into the neighboring countries, we are particularly worried with the fact that there is a penetration of terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistan and that that is creating, of course, many innocent victims and being a threat to Pakistani security,” Guterres told reporters in response to a question about what the UN planned to do about militants using safe havens in Afghanistan to launch attacks in Pakistan. 
“So, one of the things that is absolutely essential is that Afghanistan controls its territory and doesn’t allow terrorist groups from any other country to operate from Afghanistan.”
Islamabad says militants mainly associated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently launch attacks from Afghanistan and has even blamed Kabul’s Afghan Taliban rulers of facilitating anti-Pakistan militants. Kabul denies the charges.
Over 80 policemen have been killed in ambushes and target killings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2024, according to police figures.

Topics: Pakistan Afghanistan

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Shan Foods, Pakistan’s top spice mix maker, eyes Middle East expansion

Shan Foods, Pakistan’s top spice mix maker, eyes Middle East expansion
Updated 19 September 2024
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Shan Foods, Pakistan’s top spice mix maker, eyes Middle East expansion

Shan Foods, Pakistan’s top spice mix maker, eyes Middle East expansion
  • Co-chairperson of one of Pakistan’s largest producers of packaged spices speaks to Arab News in exclusive interview
  • Says Middle East “key focus area” for company, claims business in the region has grown exponentially in 20 years
Updated 19 September 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Shan Foods (Private) Limited, one of Pakistan’s largest producers of packaged spice mixes, says Saudi Arabia and the Middle East are a “key focus area” for expansion, a top official at the company said this week, adding that it had already captured 65 percent of the market in the United Arab Emirates.
Shan Foods has a presence in more than 75 countries currently. It was founded in 1981 by Sikander Sultan who along with his wife started making spice mixes at home. The spices became popular and formed a loyal fan-base both at home and with Pakistanis who had moved to Arab countries, Europe, US and Canada.
“So, it [Middle East] is one of our key focus areas, it’s a key focus market for us because there is a huge South Asian population that lives in Saudi Arabia and then the Arab consumers are also familiar with our food and the kind of food that we eat,” Sammer Sultan, the co-chairperson of Shan Foods, said in an interview to Arab News. 
“They’re very exposed to it. So, it’s definitely one of the core areas of focus for us, and we want to grow our business there. UAE specifically is one of our biggest regions already in terms of our sales values.”
When asked about the size of Shan Foods in the Middle Eastern market, she replied:
“It would be difficult for me to give you a number like that, but we’ve had exponential growth. If I were to compare from 20 years ago, it’s probably 100x by now. So, what we were selling maybe 20 years ago, we’re selling 100 times that now. So it’s been phenomenal.”
PARTNERSHIP WITH SYMRISE
Shan Foods last year partnered with Symrise AG, a German manufacturer of food flavorings, to establish Symrise’s first-ever production facility in Pakistan, aiming to localize Shan’s supply chain and strengthen its position within the local and global food industries. 
Since 2005, Symrise has seen double-digit growth year on year with its partners across the Middle East and Pakistan region.
Sultan said the joint venture would not only facilitate Shan Foods and Symrise but also benefit businesses and consumers within the larger framework.
“The whole objective of import substitution is that you are trying to bring in something that is locally available instead of trying to import it to the country,” she said, pointing out that many of Shan Foods’ raw materials were currently sourced from abroad.
“We are not fully local in the sense that a lot of our inputs are coming in from abroad and that’s the process that we are working collaboratively with Symrise to figure out, how do we localize all our supply to Pakistan,” Sultan added. 
“That is something that ties in with Shaan’s sustainability goals as well because we also want to localize the top 10 raw materials that we’re using in our spices because, you see, logistics, wars, there’s so many factors that come into play when the global supply chain gets affected.”
Also, with rising inflation and cost pressures on businesses, localizing key raw materials decreased prices and benefited consumers, Sultan said.
“They get to pay a lower price,” she explained, “or at least every year the price doesn’t go up as much because we are localizing the raw materials and input.”

Topics: Shan Foods

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