Pakistani writers say Abu Dhabi book fair opportunity to promote country’s talent, rich culture

Pakistani writers are participating in a panel discussion called "The Pakistani Drama" at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in Abu Dhabi, UAE on May 01, 2024. (Dr. Osama Siddique)
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Updated 01 May 2024
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Pakistani writers say Abu Dhabi book fair opportunity to promote country’s talent, rich culture

  • Abu Dhabi International Book Fair kicked off on Apr. 29 and is scheduled to continue till May 5
  • In a first, Pakistani writers will take part in the fair to discuss country’s literature and fiction works 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani writers taking part in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on Wednesday hailed the platform as a crucial opportunity for the South Asian country to promote its culture and dispel negative stereotypes associated with the nation. 

The international fair kicked off on Apr. 9 and is scheduled to continue till May 5 in Abu Dhabi. It is an annual event that brings different writers together to promote reading, diverse cultures and knowledge locally, regionally, and globally. Organizers of the fair say their aim is also to promote cultural exchange and dialogue between several nations.

It also brings together leaders from the publishing and creative industries every year, providing promising opportunities for those involved in this sector to form new partnerships, learn about the latest trends and developments, and discuss its fundamental priorities.

For the first time ever, Pakistani writers are taking part in the international festival in two different sessions. One was held on May 1 while the other is slated to take place on May 3. 

“Pakistan’s maiden participation in this event is crucial not only for the diaspora but also for familiarizing the Gulf and the world with Pakistan’s cultural richness, countering stereotypes, and dispelling reductionist descriptions,” Dr. Osama Siddique, a Pakistani novelist, told Arab News from Abu Dhabi.




Pakistani envoy to UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi (left), visits the Pakistani stall at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in Abu Dhabi, UAE on April 30, 2024. (Pakistan mission in UAE )

Siddique is part of a panel that will discuss the state of Pakistan’s literary on May 3. He said Pakistani literature has struggled on the global stage due to a lack of support from the state, ineffective institutions, expensive printing materials and a lack of publishing industry development.

“Writers need to be proactive, and publishers must elevate their standards, and events like this provide a perfect platform for this,” he added.

He said Pakistan often falls short of showcasing its rich civilization, culture, and literature, despite the country’s profound historical and linguistic heritage spanning over 9,000 years.

He said Pakistani writers, local entrepreneurs and the Pakistani embassy in UAE collaborated to ensure Pakistan’s participation in the annual fair for the first time this year. 

“It’s a start, albeit insufficient,” he said. 




Pakistani writers participate at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in Abu Dhabi, UAE on May 01, 2024. (Dr. Osama Siddique)

“It is vital to capitalize on such opportunities, considering the significant cultural investments made by the Gulf states in education, literature, and the arts,” he noted.

Tahira Iqbal, a Pakistani novelist who writes in Urdu, said participating in such events is crucial as it allows one to connect with writers from diverse backgrounds, languages, and regions. 

Iqbal will also attend the May 3 session with Siddique as a panelist. 

“Although Pakistani fiction is of high quality, it has not garnered significant recognition on the global stage, so participating in such events can address this issue,” Iqbal told Arab News. 

Shazia Ali Khan, a UAE-based Urdu film screenplay writer, said such events provided an opportunity for writers to challenge preconceived notions about their country, its culture, and the role of women within it.

“So it is almost like an ambassadorial or diplomatic mission, where just us being there and speaking our minds may or may not remove any notions in people’s minds about where we come from, what our culture is, and how empowered the women are,” Khan told Arab News.

Khan stressed that Pakistani writers should ensure their literary works are translated so that they reach a wider audience, noting how most literary works originating from Pakistan were in Urdu language. 

“In the absence of good translations and the proper sort of publishing houses backing all of this up to get to the end user is a bit difficult,” Khan pointed out. 

Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, said the country’s participation in the event is a testament to the rich literary heritage and vibrant intellectual discourse that it possesses.

“This representation not only showcases the diversity and creativity of Pakistani literature but also fosters meaningful cultural exchanges on a global platform,” he told Arab News.

By engaging in such events, Tirmizi said Pakistan played a crucial role in promoting cross-cultural understanding, fostering dialogue, and building bridges of friendship and cooperation between nations.


PIA cancels flights to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and UAE after Iran attacks on US bases

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PIA cancels flights to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and UAE after Iran attacks on US bases

  • Iran confirmed it had attacked US forces stationed at Qatar’s Al-Udeid air base
  • The retaliation came a day after the US attacked three of Iranian nuclear facilities

KARACHI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has canceled its flights to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it said on Monday, shortly after Iran struck United States (US) bases in Qatar with missiles.

Iran confirmed it had attacked American forces stationed at Qatar’s Al-Udeid air base. A caption on the screen called it “a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to America’s aggression” as martial music played during announcement on Iranian state television.

Qatar said it “successfully intercepted” missiles targeting the US base, and added it reserved the right to respond directly and in accordance with international law following the strikes. The US confirmed its air base in Qatar was targeted by missile attack from Iran and said no casualties were reported.

PIA said it had limited its flight operations as a precautionary measure due to the ongoing situation in the Gulf region, adding that its reservation department had started transferring the bookings of passengers to other flights.

“PIA flights will be resumed after the situation returns to normal,” the airline said in a statement. “All passengers who were traveling on these flights are requested to get timely information about their flights from the PIA call center.”

A UAE government spokesperson said they were closely monitoring the regional developments and continuously assessing the situation.

Kuwait’s civil aviation body issued a statement, saying: “The country’s airspace has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, starting today and until further notice. The decision comes within the framework of maintaining the highest levels of safety and security in light of regional developments.”

The Al-Udeid air base is home to the US Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), which provides command and control of air power across the region as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest expeditionary wing in the world.

Iran’s retaliation came a day after the US launched a surprise attack Sunday morning on three of Iran’s nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.

Just before the explosions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on the social platform X: “We neither initiated the war nor seeking it. But we will not leave invasion to the great Iran without answer.”


Pakistan says holds ample petroleum reserves amid fears of Iran’s closure of Strait of Hormuz

Updated 23 June 2025
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Pakistan says holds ample petroleum reserves amid fears of Iran’s closure of Strait of Hormuz

  • Iran’s parliament has approved cutting off the narrow shipping lane through which about 20 percent of global oil and gas passes
  • State Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani says no cause of concern for Pakistanis, government prepared to address any uncertainties

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has ample petroleum reserves and an uninterrupted supply chain, a junior minister said on Monday, amid fears that Iran may cut off a vital oil and gas shipping lane in retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear facilities.

Iran’s parliament has approved cutting off the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane in the Arabian Gulf through which about 20 percent of global oil and gas passes. It’s now up to Iran’s national security council to decide whether to move forward with the idea, which could lead to a spike in the cost of goods and services worldwide.

The price of oil jumped 4 percent shortly after trading began on Sunday night, but it quickly pared back as the focus shifted from what the US military did to how Iran would react. Oil futures were flip-flopping in Monday morning trading between gains and losses. They still remain higher than they were before the fighting began a little more than a week ago.

Pakistan’s State Minister for Finance and Railway Bilal Azhar Kayani denied rumors about a shortage of petroleum products in the South Asian country, stressing that his government was closely monitoring developments following tensions between Iran, Israel and the US to ensure stability.

“The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has directed all oil marketing companies to strictly maintain mandatory reserve levels in light of current global conditions, mitigating potential risks,” Kayani was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Press Information Department.

“There is no cause for concern as petroleum product inventories are sufficient and supply operations continue smoothly across the nation.”

The statement came hours after President Donald Trump called for the US and other oil-producing economies to pump more oil as the White House sharpened its warnings to Iran against closing the Strait of Hormuz.

Global markets were trying to ascertain what lays ahead after the US struck on Sunday key Iranian nuclear facilities with a barrage of 30,000-pound bunker busting bombs and Tomahawk missiles.

Pakistan lacks adequate resources to run its oil- and gas-powered plants and mainly sources its oil from Arab Gulf nations.

Kayani reassured citizens that the Prime Minister’s office, Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Finance were continuously monitoring the situation.

“We are fully prepared to address any uncertainties,” he said, adding the government was committed to ensuring the country’s energy security.


Pakistan extends airspace closure for Indian aircraft until July 23

Updated 23 June 2025
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Pakistan extends airspace closure for Indian aircraft until July 23

  • The restriction was first imposed in Apr. as part of tit-for-tat measures by India and Pakistan after an attack in disputed Kashmir
  • The attack, which India blamed on Pakistan without offering evidence, led to a four-day military conflict between the two countries in May

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended for the second time its airspace ban on Indian aircraft until July 23, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Monday, citing continued tensions between the two countries.

The restriction was first imposed on Apr. 24 as part of a series of tit-for-tat measures announced by both India and Pakistan, days after an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

India blamed Pakistan for the assault that killed 26 tourists, Islamabad denied the allegation and called for a credible international probe into the incident. Both countries later engaged in a four-day military conflict in May.

“The ban on Indian aircraft from entering Pakistani airspace has been extended by one month,” the PAA said in a statement. “Pakistani airspace will remain closed to Indian aircraft until July 23, 2025.”

The ban applies to passenger and military aircraft operated by Indian airlines, according to the PAA. A Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) has also been issued in this regard.

“Any aircraft registered in or leased by India would also be prohibited from using the Pakistani airspace,” the authority added.

Pakistan had previously extended the ban till June 24. It has forced Indian airlines to reroute their flights, resulting in increased fuel consumption, longer travel times and higher operational costs.

Air India, which operates numerous flights to Europe and North America, estimated in May that the airspace ban could lead to approximately $600 million in additional expenses over the course of a year and requested compensation from the Indian government.


Pakistan stocks, rupee plunge as investors react to US strikes on Iran

Updated 23 June 2025
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Pakistan stocks, rupee plunge as investors react to US strikes on Iran

  • Benchmark KSE-10 Index dropped more than 3 percent to the lowest in over six weeks
  • Analysts say if there was no further escalation, value buying is expected to come through

KARACHI: Pakistan’s stocks and currency markets tumbled on Monday as investors reacted to the United States’ (US) foray into the Israel-Iran conflict, traders and analysts said.

The benchmark KSE-100 index dropped more than 3 percent to 116,167 points, the lowest in more than six weeks, while the rupee continued to weaken against the US dollar in the seventh consecutive session on Monday.

The index has plunged by nearly 5 percent since June 13 when Israel first hit Iranian military and nuclear targets in Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, killing top generals and scientists among 78 people.

“Rising geopolitical tensions following a US strike on Iran shook investor confidence, causing the KSE-100 Index to drop by 3.2 percent,” Mohammad Waqas Ghani, head of research at JS Global Capital Ltd., told Arab News, adding that this was the fourth largest single-day decline in terms of points historically.

The attacks on Iran by the US, which followed Israeli strikes, have intensified the war and deepened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, sending jitters to markets across the globe.

Monday’s 3.2 percent fall was the worst since May 8 when the index had plunged 5.9 percent day-on-day, according to Ghani.

“The spike in global oil prices has further intensified concerns about Pakistan’s external account vulnerabilities,” he added.

Cash-strapped Pakistan, which is trying to revive its debt-ridden economy with the help of International Monetary Fund’s $7 billion program, spent $17 billion on oil imports last year.

Raza Jafri, head of research at Intermarket Securities Ltd., attributed the day’s fall to redemptions at mutual funds and possible margin calls.

“Regional tensions are the main reason behind the weak sentiment,” he said, adding that if there was no further escalation, the value buying was expected to come through.

RUPEE DROP

The ongoing tensions have also impacted the Pakistani currency that lost another 0.06 percent as the greenback closed at Rs283.87, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data.

The rupee is constantly falling and has devalued 0.3 percent since the start of Iran-Israel conflict.

“The rupee is feeling the heat of this war, very negligibly though,” Zafar Paracha, secretary-general of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan, told Arab News.

“This stability in the exchange rate reflects the overall macroeconomic stability the country has achieved.”


Pakistan’s top security body backs Iran’s right to self-defense after US, Israeli strikes

Updated 23 June 2025
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Pakistan’s top security body backs Iran’s right to self-defense after US, Israeli strikes

  • Pakistan, Russia and China have called for a ceasefire after the strikes raised fears of a wider conflict in an already volatile region
  • Experts say Pakistan, which shares border with Iran, will face additional security and economic challenges due to the worsening conflict

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC), which comprises top civilian and military leaders, has reaffirmed its support for Iran’s right to self-defense, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office said on Monday, after United States and Israeli strikes on Iran.

The statement came a day after US attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites, joining Israel in the biggest Western military action against the Islamic Republic since its 1979 revolution.

As the strikes raised fears of a wider conflict in the already volatile region, Russia, China and Pakistan have urged the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East.

On Monday, Pakistan PM Sharif presided over an NSC meeting to review the evolving regional situation and condemned Israeli attacks on Iran, which it said coincided with a constructive negotiation process between Iran and the United States.

“These reckless actions have escalated tensions, threatening to ignite a wider conflict and diminishing the opportunities for dialogue and diplomacy,” Sharif’s office said in a statement after the meeting.

“The NSC reaffirmed Iran’s right to self-defense as enshrined in the UN Charter.”

The NSC expressed grave concern over the potential for further escalation after the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan by the US, reiterating that they violated the resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), relevant international law, and the UN Charter.

The forum reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to continue efforts to promote regional peace and stability and called on all parties to resolve the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.

Tensions between Tehran and Tel Aviv initially flared on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes against what it described as Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure. Both sides traded missiles on Monday in fresh strikes.

In a separate development, Pakistan PM Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday afternoon — their second telephonic call in less than 48 hours.

“The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan’s condemnation of the US attacks, which followed Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression,” Sharif’s office said. “He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people and Government of Iran.”

The prime minister expressed concerns that the US strikes had targeted Iranian facilities that were under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), constituting a “serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute.”

“While noting Iran’s right to self-defense, as enshrined under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Prime Minister stressed upon the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward,” the statement read. “He also called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation.”

Earlier on Monday, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called on the Security Council to act “urgently and decisively,” warning against the danger posed to the populations of the region as the war intensifies.

Experts warn Pakistan, which shares a 900-kilometer porous border with Iran in its southwestern region prone to separatist militancy and cross-border attacks, will face additional security and economic challenges due to the worsening conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv.

Surging global oil prices due to the worsening conflict will cause economic setbacks for Pakistan, which relies on expensive fuel imports for its energy demands, according to financial analysts. Islamabad is already grappling with a macroeconomic crisis amid a precarious balance of payment position.

The crisis also raises questions about how Islamabad will navigate its delicate balancing act between Iran, other Gulf partners, and the US, which remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a critical source of military and economic assistance.