Lahore, JUL 30: Sardar Kamal, the celebrated comedian actor known for his significant contributions to Pakistani cinema and theater, has passed away at the age of 52.

Kamal, who died of a heart attack, was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, recognised for his remarkable talent and infectious humor.

His mortal remains will be transported to Faisalabad, his hometown, where his funeral will be held.

Throughout his illustrious career, Sardar Kamal starred in over 30 films, bringing laughter and joy to audiences with his impeccable comedic timing.

His contributions were not limited to films; he also left an indelible mark on the theater scene with his performances in countless stage dramas.

Kamal’s ability to evoke laughter and spread happiness earned him a cherished place in the hearts of many.

His legacy will continue to live on through his memorable performances and the smiles he brought to countless fans. His passing is a great loss to the entertainment industry and to all who knew and admired him.

Official warns of problems if Pakistani expatriates are not given due training to improve their behaviour

DNA

ISLAMABAD: In a worrying development that might have far-reaching consequences for hundreds and thousands of Pakistanis, several Gulf countries have expressed their concerns regarding Pakistani expatriates and labour force.

The revelation was made during a Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis during which Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Dr Arshad apprised the forum that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have voiced reservations on various issues related to overseas Pakistanis.

The disclosure comes months after the ministry back in September 2023 informed the same body that out of all the Pakistanis leaving the country, beggars are going abroad the most.

The official had said that Pakistani beggars travel to Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the guise of ziarat [pilgrimage]. Most people visit KSA on Umrah visas and then indulge in begging-related activities.

Out of all the beggars who were arrested, 90% turned out to be Pakistanis, the secretary had said.

However, the current development relates to a significantly more concerning issue as it highlights the rather “inappropriate” behaviour of Pakistanis in the UAE which includes them making videos in front of women in Dubai.

Secretary Dr Arshad today apprised the committee today that around 0.6 to 0.8 million Pakistanis go abroad each year, of which 200,000 to 300,000 come back.

Out of the total people travelling abroad, 96% go to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, they said.

Briefing about the problems that other nations have with Pakistan, the officials informed the committee that the UAE informed us that we had a quota of 1.6 million, which has exceeded to 1.8 million.

Pakistanis, they said, visit Malaysia for a year, extend their stay, and are then sent to jail. People have also slipped in Iraq, the officials said, noting that their exact number is not known.

Senator Nasir Abbas, adding to the conversation, said Bangladeshis are securing more jobs compared to Pakistanis. He added that in Iraq, Pakistanis are “helpless” as they are employed as cheap labour. Abbas added that they are kept as “prisoners” in Iraq.

The senator said that development works are underway in Iraq and they need labour. In response, the overseas officials said that Pakistanis in Iraq have several complaints.

Moving forward, the officials told the committee members that 2 million Pakistanis reside in Saudi Arabia and 0.4 million go to the kingdom every year.

KSA authorities, the officials said, have asked Pakistanis not to send “beggars and sick people”. They added that GCC is modern now, they are focusing on technology and development.

The overseas ministry officials said that Pakistanis going abroad are “unskilled” and noted that our people aren’t being trained as well. “People from other nations are replacing ours.”

They also noted that Pakistanis’ work ethics, work attitudes, and involvement in crime are big issues. In UAE, they said, Pakistanis are involved in 50% of the overall crime.

The officials said nations are “suspicious” of Pakistanis and are looking towards others. Providing further details, they said that 600,000-800,000 people go abroad, of which 96% travel to the Middle East. “Sensible people search for opportunities and go abroad.”

ISLAMABAD, JUL 30 (DNA) — Vice Chancellor (VC), Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, Tuesday called on Sindh’s Minister of Education and Minerals, Syed Sardar Ali Shah in the latter’s office and discussed matters relating to the expansion of educational facilities in remote areas of Sindh.

During the meeting, Syed Sardar Ali Shah stated that the university will be provided with all possible support to promote education.  The provincial minister praised AIOU for illuminating remote areas across the country with the light of knowledge and acknowledged the mission to spread education in Sindh as a commendable initiative.

He assured the VC of the provincial government’s support for this noble cause. The VC briefed the provincial minister on the university’s network and educational services across Sindh.  He emphasized that their mission is to illuminate remote areas with knowledge, identifying regions, where formal education systems are lacking and establishing university campuses and model study, centers to spread the light of knowledge.

Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, VC AIOU further mentioned that the university is transferring regional offices from rented premises to its buildings and highlighted the need for land for the construction of the Hyderabad campus.

He requested to philanthropists and high-ranking government officials to assist in this noble cause.  During this meeting, the Director General of Regional Services, Dr. Malik Tauqeer Ahmed Khan, and the Director of Admissions, Syed Zia-ul-Hassnain, accompanied the VC. — DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUL 30 /DNA/ – The seventh round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was held today in Islamabad. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane while the Pakistan side was headed by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi. The Consultations were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.

The two sides reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations and reaffirmed the resolve to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation. It was agreed to enhance bilateral dialogue and exchanges and to strengthen the dialogue mechanisms. They also agreed to explore new opportunities for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health, connectivity and culture.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 30: The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in collaboration with Pakistan House hosted the launch of the book titled, ‘The Lost War: Why the Taliban Re-emerged to Claim Victory in Afghanistan’, authored by Brigadier Ishaq Ahmed Khattak (Retd) at its premises. 

Speaking at the event, the author reflected on his challenging yet rewarding journey as an author. He noted that capturing the memories of the tumultuous years during the US invasion posed significant complexities, especially in addressing the book’s central question: why the Taliban re-emerged to claim victory in Afghanistan.  The author also described how his passion for writing about Afghan affairs began in 1998 during his posting in Peshawar, where frequent interactions with Afghans and the Taliban sparked his interest in the Afghan culture, history, and the struggle.

Addressing the gathering, Amb Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, emphasized that while the global war on terrorism has concluded, achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan remains a significant challenge in the post-US withdrawal era, continuing to threaten regional and global security, particularly for Pakistan. He noted that Ishaq Khattak’s book, “The Lost War,” is not just a historical narrative but provides vital lessons for promoting lasting peace in Afghanistan. 

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Athar Javed, DG Pakistan House, lamented that despite Pakistan’s fight in the global war against terrorism being the frontline state, its contributions and sacrifices had largely been unrecognized. Reflecting on the book subject, he said that the author while avoiding oversimplification, and undermining any country presented a natural flow of the events and major occurring during the peak of NATO mission.  

Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s special envoy to Afghanistan, stated that ‘Ishaq Khattak’s book offers a realistic assessment of the events that enabled the Taliban’s resurgence and triumph after two decades of conflict’. ‘His analysis correctly highlights the governance issues under the Karzai and Ashraf Ghani administrations and the US’s failure to promote reconciliation as key factors in lingering the Afghan crisis’, he remarked. 

Lt. Gen (r) Asif Yasin Malik, former Secretary Defence, praised the author for effectively leveraging his extensive experience with the land and its people to analyze events and their repercussions for Pakistan and the region. Lt. Gen Malik noted that the author’s greatest strength lies in guiding readers through historical events, linking them to present-day issues. ‘The book offers valuable insights for a diverse audience, from the general public to policymakers and historians’, he remarked.

Abdullah Gul, Chairman TJP, while describing the past occurring presented useful suggestions for future course of actions with regard to ongoing Afghan security problems. Hassan Khan, Journalist, Khyber News, stated that the book was a great contribution to the literature on the Afghan wars and conflicts, accurately depicting the events during the US invasion and realistically addressing the shortcomings of the NATO mission.

The event attracted a diverse audience of diplomats, researchers, students, and journalists.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 30 /DNA/ – The UK Border Force’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Teams visited Pakistan to deliver Modern Slavery and Anti-human Trafficking training at Islamabad and Lahore Airports.

Eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking is one of the UK’s highest priorities. The British Government and law enforcement work hand in hand with their Pakistani counterparts to safeguard vulnerable victims and prosecute perpetrators across borders.

Ahead of ‘World Day Against Trafficking in Persons’, UK experts on modern slavery and human trafficking from the UK Border Force and the British High Commission trained 31 frontline officers at Islamabad and Lahore airports on safeguarding and early identification of victims.

The training was well received by officers, with all understanding the importance of safeguarding potential victims. Through lessons learned from UK case studies, officers were left equipped to understand how to identify victims early, support vulnerable individuals, and understand the impact trafficking has on victims. The training also covered forced and early marriages, honour-based abuse, and female genital mutilation.

Amanda Read, Border Force National Operational lead for Safeguarding and Modern Slavery, heading up a network of over 500 specialist officers, said:

Through this training, we were able to share some of the best practice that the UK has developed in this area and learn about the challenges faced in Pakistan. Cooperation is essential. We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure better protection of the vulnerable and prevention of all types of exploitation.’

Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner said:

‘Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking are unacceptable tragedies. Early identification of victims is essential, and international cooperation is of the utmost importance. This is a global problem and can only be tackled if we work together.’