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‘Pakistan is your second home,’ says PM Sharif after welcoming Palestinian students

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Updated 23 October 2024
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‘Pakistan is your second home,’ says PM Sharif after welcoming Palestinian students

‘Pakistan is your second home,’ says PM Sharif after welcoming Palestinian students
  • Pakistan will provide fully funded scholarships to 192 Palestinian students to continue their studies here
  • Shehbaz Sharif condemns Israel’s military aggression, calls on world powers to do more to halt war in Gaza
Updated 23 October 2024
Kashaf Rehman
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday welcomed Palestinian medical students who recently arrived in Pakistan from war-torn Gaza to pursue their studies here, vowing to facilitate them in pursuing their aspirations despite Israel’s military aggression in the Middle East. 

Sharif was addressing a ceremony held in Islamabad to welcome the three batches of over 100 Palestinian students out of a total of 192, who arrived in Pakistan this month to continue their studies in educational institutions here on fully-funded scholarships.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry announced in July that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will provide scholarships to over 100 Palestinian students so that they can continue their studies in Pakistan. The initiative, which came amid Israel’s war on Gaza, is a collaboration between Doctors of Rehman, Global Relief Trust and a leading Pakistani non-governmental organization, the Al-Khidmat Foundation.

“Dear students, our brothers, sisters, Pakistan is your second home,” Sharif said at the ceremony attended by Palestinian students and other officials. 




Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks during a ceremony welcoming Palestinian students arrive in Pakistan to complete their studies, in Islamabad on October 23, 2024. (Photo courtesy: PMO)

“Our hearts are there for you, our homes are there for you, our institutions are there for you, our teachers are there for you. Everything that we do will not be enough to make you comfortable here in Pakistan,” he added amid loud applause. 

The Pakistani prime minister regretted the world’s silence in Gaza, saying that resolutions and speeches were not enough to stop the “heart-wrenching” war there. 

“Blood still flows in the streets of Gaza, schools are being bombarded, hospitals are being smashed and the world is a silent spectator,” Sharif said. 

He said Pakistan wished to invite hundreds of other Palestinian students from Gaza to Pakistan on fully funded scholarships, adding that he had requested Pakistani authorities to take action in this regard.

“We will be playing host to you,” the premier said. “Believe me, it is not a favor. It is a responsibility we should have discharged long ago. But it’s never too late.”

Speaking earlier, a Palestinian female student thanked the government of Pakistan, the country’s educational institutions and non-governmental organizations for helping them continue their studies in the South Asian country. 

“Praise be to God, you are all looking after us like your own children,” she said, requesting the government to allow Palestinian students studying other subjects to continue their studies in Pakistan as well. 

“Because each one of us holds Palestine, our families and our children and we want to continue our lives because we deserve it,” she said. “And so, we can help our people soon in the future.”

ISRAEL’S WAR ON GAZA

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has killed over 42,000 people in Gaza through relentless bombardment despite ceasefire calls and angry protests in several countries around the world. The Jewish state has bombed thousands of buildings, including medical institutions as it carries out airstrikes and ground offensives in Gaza.

There have also been widespread reports of substantial damage to educational institutions along with reports of deliberate targeting of Palestinian academics. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other sources have documented severe damage to Gaza’s health care facilities, including the largest hospital Al-Shifa, which has been rendered non-functional due to extensive damage in the ongoing conflict.

Topics: Pakistan Palestine Palestinian students in Pakistan War on Gaza

Undersea cables cut in Red Sea, disrupting Internet access in Pakistan, Asia, Mideast

Undersea cables cut in Red Sea, disrupting Internet access in Pakistan, Asia, Mideast
Updated 21 sec ago
AP
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Undersea cables cut in Red Sea, disrupting Internet access in Pakistan, Asia, Mideast

Undersea cables cut in Red Sea, disrupting Internet access in Pakistan, Asia, Mideast
  • Global watchdog NetBlocks says cable outages has degraded Internet connectivity in India, Pakistan 
  • Development takes place as Yemen’s Houthi rebels remain locked in series of attacks targeting Israel
Updated 21 sec ago
AP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Undersea cable cuts in the Red Sea disrupted Internet access Sunday in parts of Asia and the Middle East, experts said, though it wasn’t immediately clear what caused the incident.

There has been concern about the cables being targeted in a Red Sea campaign by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, which the rebels describe as an effort to pressure Israel to end its war on Hamas in Gaza. But the Houthis have denied attacking the lines in the past.

Microsoft announced via a status website that the Mideast “may experience increased latency due to undersea fiber cuts in the Red Sea.” The Redmond, Washington-based firm did not immediately elaborate, though it said that Internet traffic not moving through the Middle East “is not impacted.”

NetBlocks, which monitors Internet access, said “a series of subsea cable outages in the Red Sea has degraded Internet connectivity in multiple countries,” which it said included India and Pakistan. It blamed “failures affecting the SMW4 and IMEWE cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.”

The South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 4 cable is run by Tata Communications, part of the Indian conglomerate. The India-Middle East-Western Europe cable is run by another consortium overseen by Alcatel-Lucent. Both firms did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Saudi Arabia did not immediately acknowledge the disruption and authorities there did not respond to a request for comment.

In the United Arab Emirates, home to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Internet users on the country’s state-owned Du and Etisalat networks complained of slower Internet speeds. The government did not immediately acknowledge the disruption.

The lines being cut comes as Yemen’s Houthi rebels remain locked in a series of attacks targeting Israel over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Israel has responded with airstrikes, including one that killed top leaders within the rebel movement.

In early 2024, Yemen’s internationally recognized government in exile alleged that the Houthis planned to attack undersea cables in the Red Sea. Several were cut, but the Houthis denied being responsible. On Sunday morning, the Houthis’ Al-Masirah satellite news channel acknowledged that the cuts had taken place.

From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. In their campaign so far, the Houthis have sunk four vessels and killed at least eight mariners.

The Iranian-backed Houthis stopped their attacks during a brief ceasefire in the war. They later became the target of an intense weekslong campaign of airstrikes ordered by US President Donald Trump before he declared a ceasefire had been reached with the rebels. The Houthis sank two vessels in July, killing at least four on board with others believed to be held by the rebels.

The Houthis’ new attacks come as a new possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war remains in the balance. Meanwhile, the future of talks between the US and Iran over Tehran’s battered nuclear program is in question after Israel launched a 12-day war against the Islamic Republic in which the Americans bombed three Iranian atomic sites.

 

Topics: Internet Red Sea Pakistan

Pakistan president grants sentence remission to prisoners on Prophet’s birth anniversary 

Pakistan president grants sentence remission to prisoners on Prophet’s birth anniversary 
Updated 17 min 1 sec ago
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Pakistan president grants sentence remission to prisoners on Prophet’s birth anniversary 

Pakistan president grants sentence remission to prisoners on Prophet’s birth anniversary 
  • Pakistani leaders traditionally announce sentence remissions for prisoners on religious festivals 
  • Remission will not apply to convicts of murder, “terrorism,” espionage and major financial offenses 
Updated 17 min 1 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has granted a special remission of 180 days in sentences for prisoners on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) 1500th birth anniversary, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Sunday. 

Pakistani leaders traditionally announce sentence remissions for prisoners on religious festivals and other special occasions like the two Eid festivals, Independence Day and Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth anniversary. The remissions are intended as goodwill gestures to promote rehabilitation and allow selected inmates to reunite with their families during important national and religious holidays.

“After due consultation, and in a spirit of mercy and compassion, the Prime Minister concurred with the President’s proposal to enhance this remission to one hundred and eighty days,” the state media said. 

Pakistan marked the 1500th birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Saturday with religious fervor. Zardari granted the remission in sentences on the advice of the prime minister and the federal cabinet, who had originally recommended a 100-day remission, Radio Pakistan said. 

Radio Pakistan clarified that the special remission would apply to prisoners meeting the prescribed criteria under the law, while those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, “terrorism,” espionage and major financial offenses will remain excluded from it.

Topics: Pakistan Prophet Muhammad Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari

Punjab warns of high-level floods in rivers as death toll reaches 50

Punjab warns of high-level floods in rivers as death toll reaches 50
Updated 36 min 33 sec ago
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Punjab warns of high-level floods in rivers as death toll reaches 50

Punjab warns of high-level floods in rivers as death toll reaches 50
  • At Ganda Singh Wala village near Sutlej, PDMA warns water flows remain at “exceptionally high flood” level 
  • Punjab relief commissioner says over 4,100 villages, 4.2 million people affected due to floods since late August
Updated 36 min 33 sec ago
Waseem Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Pakistan’s Punjab warned of high-level floods in the province’s Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers on Saturday night, as the death toll from deluges since late August surged to 50.

Heavy monsoon rains and excess water released by Indian dams have caused water levels in Punjab to rise and triggered floods in the province since late August, killing around 50. 

Punjab is also home to half of the country’s 240 million people and accounts for much of its wheat and rice production, creating food security concerns as initial estimates suggest 1.3 million acres of agricultural land have been inundated in the province amid the flooding of the three rivers. Nationwide, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said 905 people have been killed in rain and flood-related incidents since the monsoon began on June 26. 

“Trimmu is sustaining a very high flood (465,000 cusecs), putting stress on District Jhang (18 Hazari, Athara Hazari belt, Ahmedpur Sial),” the PDMA’s report said on Saturday night. 

It said Panjnad, the confluence of five rivers in southern Punjab, is receiving 345,000 cusecs of water, which is slightly below its earlier peak level of 380,000 cusecs “but still in the high flood category.”

On river Ravi, the PDMA said Balloki was recording 157,065 cusecs of water at a very high level while the level at Sidhnai was recorded at 97,242 cusecs, which was also categorized as “very high.”

This rising water level was causing pressure on Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Khanewal and Kabirwala areas, the report said, while Shahdara recorded water at 103,160 cusecs. 

Meanwhile at the Ganda Singh Wala village near river Sutlej, the PDMA said water flows remain in “exceptionally high flood” at 303,828 cusecs, impacting Kasur and its adjoining low-lying areas. 

It said the water level at Sulemanki was recorded at 137,232 cusecs, classifying it at a high flood level. 

Meanwhile, Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said over 4,100 villages and more than 4.2 million people have been affected due to the floods since late August.

He said over 2 million people were rescued and shifted to safer places while 423 relief camps, over 500 medical camps and 432 veterinary camps have been set up in affected districts.

Javed said currently, the Mangla Dam is 80 percent full while the Tarbela Dam is at full capacity. 

He said in India, the Bhakra Dam is 90 percent full, the Pong Dam is 99 percent full while the Thein Dam is 97 percent full.

Topics: Pakistan Monsoon 2025 Punjab floods

First India-Pakistan match since conflict fires up Asia Cup

First India-Pakistan match since conflict fires up Asia Cup
Updated 07 September 2025
AFP
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First India-Pakistan match since conflict fires up Asia Cup

First India-Pakistan match since conflict fires up Asia Cup
  • Arch-rivals and Asian cricket giants India and Pakistan clash in Dubai on Sept. 14
  • Military hostilities between India and Pakistan in May left 70 dead on both sides
Updated 07 September 2025
AFP

NEW DELHI: A blockbuster between India and Pakistan headlines the Asia Cup starting on Tuesday as they face off for the first time in cricket since the military conflict in May.

Along with regional bragging rights, the Twenty20 competition will serve as a build-up toward the T20 World Cup in February-March in India and Sri Lanka.

The eight-team event in the United Arab Emirates begins when Afghanistan play minnows Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan clash in Dubai on September 14, with Pakistan bowling great Wasim Akram saying players and fans from both teams should “remain disciplined and not cross the line.”

The neighbors have not met on either side’s soil in a bilateral series since 2012 and only play each other in international tournaments on neutral ground as part of a compromise deal.

The two Asian cricketing giants have been clubbed together in the same group and could potentially meet three times in the tournament, which concludes on September 28.

There have been tensions in the build-up after the two countries fought an intense four-day conflict, their worst since 1999.

The hostilities in May left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone and artillery exchanges, before a ceasefire.

Both sides claimed victory and in a sign of lingering bitterness, an India team of retired players withdrew from their semifinal with Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends in July-August in England.

Led by former international Yuvraj Singh, the Indians also refused to play Pakistan in the group stage of the tournament, as clamor grew among fans to boycott the games.

Former India spinner HarbHajjan Singh was part of the veterans team and has strongly opposed the Asia Cup game.

“Blood and sweat cannot co-exist,” HarbHajjan told The Times of India.

“It cannot be the case that there’s fighting on the border, tensions between the two nations, and we go to play cricket.

“Until these big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter.”

INDIA STRONG FAVORITES

India and Pakistan last met in cricket, again in Dubai, in February in the 50-over Champions Trophy, with India winning by six wickets and going on to lift the title.

They are also defending Asia Cup champions and led by Suryakumar Yadav are clear favorites against their old foes with a 10-3 win record against Pakistan in T20 internationals.

Pakistan will be without star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, both dropped from the shortest format because of poor form.

India won the previous Asia Cup, which was played in a 50-over format in 2023, when they beat hosts Sri Lanka in the final in Colombo. India are strong favorites to retain their crown.

The five full members of the Asian Cricket Council — Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka — earned automatic qualification to the tournament.

They are joined by Hong Kong, Oman and the UAE, teams that secured their spots by finishing in the top three of the ACC men’s Premier Cup.

Group A is made up of India, Pakistan, hosts UAE and Oman.

Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.

The group stage will be followed by a Super Four round, followed by the final in Dubai.

Topics: Pakistan v India Cricket asia cup

Explosion at cricket match in Pakistan’s northwest kills one

Explosion at cricket match in Pakistan’s northwest kills one
Updated 06 September 2025
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Explosion at cricket match in Pakistan’s northwest kills one

Explosion at cricket match in Pakistan’s northwest kills one
  • Police say IED was planted at Kausar Lachi Cricket Ground in Bajaur’s Loi Sim area
  • No group has claimed responsibility, but militant violence is common in Bajaur
Updated 06 September 2025
REHMAT MEHSUD

PESHAWAR: An explosion during a cricket match in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed one person on Saturday, police said, in an attack for which no group has so far claimed responsibility.

The blast struck the Kausar Lachi Cricket Ground in Bajaur’s Loi Sim area around 6:30 p.m., and initial investigations suggested it was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted in the ground.

It was not immediately clear whether the victim was the intended target.

“According to initial investigations, the device appears to have been planted in the ground,” Hunar Khan, a senior police officer, told Arab News over the phone.

He added that the remoteness of the area and poor communications had hampered the response.

Amjad Khan, a senior district official at Rescue1122, said his office received a call about the blast and dispatched a team to the site.

“Despite medical efforts, the victim was pronounced dead upon arrival at the medical facility,” he said, identifying the person killed as Fazalullah.

Police said a contingent had been deployed to secure the site and assess the situation.

Bajaur, a rugged district bordering Afghanistan, was once a stronghold of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The militant network has repeatedly targeted security forces, police and local residents in the area.

Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant violence in recent years, with officials in Islamabad accusing the Afghan Taliban of sheltering TTP militants and facilitating their cross-border attacks.

The Taliban regime in Kabul has repeatedly denied these claims, saying Pakistan’s security challenges are an internal matter.

 

Topics: Kausar Lachi Cricket Ground Bajaur Bajaur blast Cricket Match

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