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Pakistan Fashion Couture exhibition to be held in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 16

Pakistan Fashion Couture exhibition to be held in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 16
Models present creations by fashion designers Anaya and Horain during the Pantene HUM Bridal Couture Week, in Lahore on December 16, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 31 October 2024
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Pakistan Fashion Couture exhibition to be held in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 16

Pakistan Fashion Couture exhibition to be held in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 16
  • Event featuring various designers will showcase Pakistani fashion collections in the Middle Eastern market
  • Pakistani fashion blends traditional and modern styles, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage
Updated 31 October 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan
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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Fashion Couture exhibition will be held on Nov. 16 in Riyadh to showcase Pakistani fashion in the Saudi market, featuring a variety of designers and their collections, a media handout said on Wednesday.
The fashion practiced in the South Asian country is an eclectic blend of traditional and modern styles, reflecting Pakistan’s cultural heritage. From the intricate embroidery and ornate patterns of traditional clothing to the bold and edgy designs of contemporary fashion, Pakistani fashion is a reflection of the country’s diversity and creativity.
Fashion designers from Saudi Arabia and other countries will also participate in the event, fostering “cultural harmony” between the two sides, in addition to promoting Pakistani fashion globally.
“For the first time, a fashion exhibition will take place on November 16 in Riyadh,” the media handout by Pakistan Fashion Couture said, quoting its top official, Adnan Bashir Khan. “This event will showcase Pakistani apparel, jewelry, and other fashion items, with participation from renowned Pakistani designers.”
Addressing a news conference in Riyadh, Khan highlighted how Pakistani fashion was “admired” by Saudi, Indian and Bangladeshi communities, among other nationalities, saying the aim was to “further establish Pakistani fashion’s presence” in the Saudi market.
He said a “special designer zone” was being set up at the exhibition for “established and emerging” designers to showcase their skills.
“This event marks an important step in strengthening fashion ties between the two countries,” Khan added. “We want to introduce Saudi audiences to the vibrant colors of Pakistani fashion and promote our designers’ creations on a global platform.”
The Pakistan Fashion Couture founder hopes the exhibition, featuring “traditional attire, contemporary fashion, and exclusive bridal designs,” will be a milestone for the Pakistani fashion industry in Saudi Arabia.
“Our goal is to increase the popularity of Pakistani fashion here and create new opportunities for our industry in Saudi Arabia,” Khan said.

Topics: Pakistan Fashion Couture Pakistan Saudi Ties

Pakistani forces kill 27 militants in insurgency-hit Balochistan province

Pakistani forces kill 27 militants in insurgency-hit Balochistan province
Updated 23 sec ago
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Pakistani forces kill 27 militants in insurgency-hit Balochistan province

Pakistani forces kill 27 militants in insurgency-hit Balochistan province
  • Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by landmass and rich in mineral resources, has been the site of a low-level insurgency by Baloch separatists
  • Separatist militants last week seized Zehri town in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, setting government property on fire and robbing Rs768,000 from a bank
Updated 23 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have killed 27 militants in the southwestern Balochistan province, the military said on Monday, in the latest incident in the insurgency-hit region.
The militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Kacchi district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
The deceased had been involved in militant activities against security forces as well as innocent civilians and were “highly wanted” by the law enforcement agencies.
“Multiple hideouts, including caches of arms, ammunition and explosives, were also destroyed during the operation,” the ISPR said in a statement.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by landmass and rich in mineral resources, has long faced a low-level insurgency led by separatist groups, who accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province’s natural resources, such as gold and copper, while neglecting the local population.
Successive Pakistani governments have denied the allegations, saying they prioritized Balochistan’s development through investments in health, education and infrastructure projects.
On Monday, a roadside bomb blast killed one person in Balochistan’s Turbat district, while dozens of ethnic Baloch separatists last week entered Zehri town in the Khuzdar district and seized control of its main market, setting government properties on fire and robbing Rs768,000 ($2,745) from a private bank.
Footage and pictures seen by Arab News showed armed fighters roaming the streets of the town after seizing weapons, vehicles and motorbikes from the Levies paramilitary force. The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) separatist group claimed responsibility for the attack.
Security forces reclaimed the town following skirmishes with the militants, during which one soldier was injured. Provincial authorities later sacked 15 Levies personnel for showing “cowardice” by surrendering to armed militants, according to a government notification.
Violence by Baloch separatist factions, primarily the BLA, killed about 300 people last year, according to official statistics, marking an escalation in the decades-long conflict.

Topics: militancy in Pakistan Balochistan Liberation Army Balochistan Attacks

Pakistan, Bangladesh vow to strengthen trade ties, consular services

Pakistan, Bangladesh vow to strengthen trade ties, consular services
Updated 5 min 22 sec ago
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Pakistan, Bangladesh vow to strengthen trade ties, consular services

Pakistan, Bangladesh vow to strengthen trade ties, consular services
  • Pakistan and Bangladesh have sought to improve bilateral ties since former premier Hasina’s ouster
  • Established together as one nation in 1947, Bangladesh won liberation from Pakistan in 1971 with India backingEstablished together as one nation in 1947, Bangladesh won liberation from Pakistan in 1971 with India backing
Updated 5 min 22 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and Dhaka have vowed to strengthen ties, particularly in trade and consular services, the Pakistan embassy said on Monday after the consul general of Bangladesh in Dubai paid a courtesy call on his counterpart from Pakistan. 

Pakistan and Bangladesh share a complex history, having been a single country known as East and West Pakistan until Bangladesh was born in 1971 after a war of liberation backed by Pakistan’s arch-rival and neighbor India. Nearly three million people were killed in the conflict.

Ties reached a new low in 2016 when Bangladesh executed several leaders of its Jamaat-e-Islami party on charges of committing war crimes in 1971. Pakistan called the executions and trials “politically motivated,” arguing that the convicts were being punished for taking a pro-Pakistan stance during the war. 

However, Islamabad’s ties with Dhaka improved after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted last year after student-led violent protests in the country. Hasina fled to India, which has cast a shadow over the relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi in recent months, with the former repeatedly demanding that India extradite the ousted leader.

“H.E. Md. Rashedujjaman, Consul General of Bangladesh in Dubai paid a courtesy call on H.E. Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan, at the Consulate General of Pakistan today [Monday],” the Pakistani consulate said in a statement. 

“Welcoming the visiting Consul General, Mr. Hussain emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan, particularly in trade. Both Consuls General acknowledged the potential for collaboration and agreed to engage their respective consulates’ trade sections to further promote bilateral cooperation.”

Both sides also discussed various consular services including passport issuance, national identity cards, and visa procedures.

“Both Consuls General agreed to enhance information sharing and future collaboration regarding community services and public awareness initiatives,” the statement said.

Topics: Pakistan Bangladesh Ties Pakistan consulate Dubai

Pakistan voices concern over recent ‘Islamophobic’ remarks against British-Pakistanis in UK

Pakistan voices concern over recent ‘Islamophobic’ remarks against British-Pakistanis in UK
Updated 56 min 56 sec ago
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Pakistan voices concern over recent ‘Islamophobic’ remarks against British-Pakistanis in UK

Pakistan voices concern over recent ‘Islamophobic’ remarks against British-Pakistanis in UK
  • The development comes amid a debate around child sexual abuse in the UK, with an inquiry report accusing some Pakistani origin men of involvement
  • Islamabad says such remarks are aimed at ‘conflating’ reprehensible actions of a few individuals with the entire 1.7 million British-Pakistani diaspora
Updated 56 min 56 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Monday expressed “deep concern” over a recent spate of “Islamophobic” remarks directed toward the Pakistani community in the United Kingdom (UK), saying they were aimed at “conflating” reprehensible actions of a few individuals with the entire 1.7 million British-Pakistani diaspora.
The development comes amid a debate around grooming gangs in the UK after British Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips rejected Oldham Council’s request for a government-led inquiry into a historical child sexual abuse scandal in the town in favor of a local investigation. The grooming scandal, which came to light in the 2010s, involved the systematic abuse of thousands of girls in towns such as Rotherham, Rochdale and Oldham. A 2014 report estimated that 1,400 children were exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013, primarily by men of Pakistani origin.
Indian nationalist lawmaker Priyanka Chaturvedi this month sparked the controversy by stating that the blame for grooming gangs in the UK should not be attributed to Asia as a whole, but rather to one “rogue nation.” Tech billionaire Elon Musk also endorsed the anti-Pakistan narrative on X and criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for rejecting calls for a new national inquiry and instead advocating the implementation of recommendations of an earlier seven-year inquiry.
In its response to media queries about the controversy, the Pakistani Foreign Office said British nationals of Pakistani origin had a rich history of contributing to the UK’s growth, development and, indeed, freedom, with an “exceptionally large” number of predominantly Muslim soldiers from what is now Pakistan serving in the British Indian army and laying down their lives in both World Wars.
“We note with deep concern the increasingly racist and Islamophobic political and media commentary in the UK that is aimed at conflating the reprehensible actions of a few individuals with the entire 1.7 million British Pakistani diaspora,” it said in a statement.
The Foreign Office said that the Pakistan-UK friendship is characterized by warmth, cordiality, robust cooperation and trust, noting that British-Pakistanis formed the “backbone of the UK’s health, retail and services sectors.”
“Many British Pakistanis hold high public office, and thousands serve their communities as Members of Parliament, mayors, councillors, and as members of local police and municipal services. British Pakistanis have excelled in sports and arts. Their cuisine and music enriches British culture,” it said.
“To demonize such a large and diverse community on the basis of the actions of a few individuals needs to be condemned.”
It said the multifaceted Pakistan-UK relations cover important areas, including trade and investment, education, security and counter-terrorism, and the presence of 1.7 million strong British-Pakistani diaspora provides the strongest link between the two friendly countries.

Topics: Pakistan UK Ties British Pakistanis Foreign Office of Pakistan overseas pakistanis

Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah acquires nearly 10 percent stake in UAE fintech Jingle Pay

Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah acquires nearly 10 percent stake in UAE fintech Jingle Pay
Updated 13 January 2025
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Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah acquires nearly 10 percent stake in UAE fintech Jingle Pay

Pakistan’s Bank Alfalah acquires nearly 10 percent stake in UAE fintech Jingle Pay
  • Jingle Pay plans to launch its digital banking services in Pakistan in the first quarter of 2025 as a branchless banking mobile app
  • Only 60 percent of Pakistan’s 137 million adult population, or 83 million adults, have a bank account, according to central bank estimates
Updated 13 January 2025
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Bank Alfalah, a leading Pakistani commercial bank, on Monday announced it had acquired 9.9 percent equity stake in Dubai-based fintech firm Jingle Pay, underscoring the bank’s commitment to driving digital transformation and fostering financial inclusion in Pakistan and across other markets.
With over 1,000 branches across 200 cities and an international presence in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Afghanistan, Bank Alfalah offers various products and services to private-sector institutions and governments, and has established itself as a premier digital bank.
Jingle Pay, on the other hand, has redefined the fintech space with its proprietary AI-powered tech stack already processing over 2 million transactions and facilitating over $1 billion in international money transfers in 2024, saving customers over $6 million in fees. It was recently awarded the top global fintech for remittances into Pakistan.
Bank Alfalah said its equity investment and appointment to Jingle Pay’s board signal a robust partnership aimed at driving growth and innovation, and the collaboration leverages its extensive infrastructure to amplify Jingle Pay’s impact on cross-border payments and digital banking, advancing its ambitious vision for the Middle East and North Africa and Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAP) region.
“This acquisition is a milestone in our journey to lead the digital banking revolution,” said Farooq A. Khan, Bank Alfalah’s group head for corporate, investment banking and international business.
“By combining Jingle Pay’s innovative platform with Bank Alfalah’s resources, we aim to redefine cross-border financial services and deliver exceptional value to millions of users.”
Pakistan, with a population of 240 million, is home to one of the world’s largest unbanked populations. Only 60 percent of its 137 million adult population, or 83 million adults, have a bank account, according to central bank estimates.
Jingle Pay plans to launch its digital banking services in Pakistan in the first quarter of 2025 as a branchless banking mobile app targeting to bring seamless and inclusive financial services to the country’s unbanked population.
The partnership aims to create synergies in cross-border payments strengthened by shareholder MoneyGram.
“Partnering with Bank Alfalah empowers us to scale our vision of inclusive finance,” Jingle Pay Chief Executive Officer Amir Fardghassemi was quoted as saying by Bank Alfalah.
“Together, we aim to enrich the digital economy and create transformative cross-border financial solutions.”

Topics: Bank Alfalah Jingle Pay

Pakistan to launch indigenous satellite to predict disasters, monitor resources on Jan. 17

Pakistan to launch indigenous satellite to predict disasters, monitor resources on Jan. 17
Updated 13 January 2025
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Pakistan to launch indigenous satellite to predict disasters, monitor resources on Jan. 17

Pakistan to launch indigenous satellite to predict disasters, monitor resources on Jan. 17
  • Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite can provide timely updates on floods, landslides and earthquakes, says state media 
  • Satellite can also support conservation strategies by monitoring minerals, oil and gas fields, and glacier recession
Updated 13 January 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s national space agency announced on Monday that it would launch the country’s first indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite on Jan. 17, state-run media reported, to help enhance monitoring of natural disasters and manage natural resources efficiently. 

The EO-1 satellite will be launched from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. It added that its launch represents the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission’s (SUPARCO) dedication and expertise in advancing Pakistan’s technological capabilities in space science.

The state media said the satellite will enhance the country’s ability to monitor and manage natural resources, predict and respond to natural disasters, support food security and drive economic growth through informed decision-making and sustainable development.

“The EO-1 satellite offers substantial benefits across various sectors in Pakistan,” APP said. “In agriculture, it will enable precision farming by monitoring crops, assessing irrigation needs, predicting yields and supporting food security initiatives.”

The report said that in urban development, the satellite can help in tracking infrastructure growth, managing urban sprawl and aiding city and regional planning efforts. 

“In environmental monitoring and disaster management, it will provide timely updates on floods, landslides, earthquakes, deforestation, and land erosion,” it added. 

The EO-1 satellite will also support extraction and conservation strategies for natural resources, such as the monitoring of minerals, oil and gas fields, glacier recession and water resources.

“The launch of the EO-1 satellite marks a momentous milestone in Pakistan’s space journey,” APP said. 

Pakistan has taken strides in its space research program in the past few months. In November 2024, SUPARCO announced its rover will join China’s Chang’E 8 mission to explore the moon’s surface in 2028.

In May 2024, Pakistan launched its first lunar satellite aboard China’s Chang’e-6 probe, which was tasked with landing on the far side of the moon that perpetually faces away from the Earth. China was the first country to make such an ambitious attempt.

Topics: Pakistan Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite suparco

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