Pakistani man performs jaw-dropping stunts despite polio impairment

Stuntman Muhammad Usman, a polio sufferer, pictured with his son in Quetta, Pakistan, on January 17, 2021 (AN Photo by Saadullah Akhter)
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Updated 21 January 2021
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Pakistani man performs jaw-dropping stunts despite polio impairment

  • Muhammad Usman was infected with polio when he was six years old which caused paralysis of his left leg
  • Not being able to walk properly has not deterred Usman from pursuing his dream of performing dangerous stunts at public festivals

QUETTA: Stuntman Muhammad Usman can jump over five cars on a motorcycle and pull a car with a chain tied to a sharp knife hung around his neck.
There are many showmen in Pakistan who can perform such stunts, but Usman, from Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, is special: his left leg was virtually paralyzed after he contracted polio aged six years. Now the 38-year-old leads an active life as a stuntman, saying he never allowed the crippling virus to keep him from pursuing his dreams.




Stuntman Muhammad Usman, a polio sufferer, pulls a car with a chain tied to a sharp knife hanging around his neck in Quetta, Pakistan, on January 17, 2021 (AN Photo by Saadullah Akhter)

“One day I went with my friends to the historic Sibi Mela where I saw various stuntmen performing in the festival,” Usman told Arab News in Quetta. “I asked a man whether I could perform these stunts but he looked at me and replied sarcastically: how can a disabled man become a stuntman.”
That day, Usman said, he resolved to prove his detractors wrong, joined the ‘Power Show Club’ in Quetta’s Nawa Killi neighborhood, and began training under stunt master Shaira Bangulzai.
Pakistan last week launched a nationwide vaccination campaign against polio amid tight security, hoping to eradicate the crippling children’s disease this year. Pakistan had hoped to eliminate polio back in 2018, when only 12 cases were reported. But in the years since there has been an uptick in new cases.
Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two remaining countries in the world where polio is endemic, after Nigeria was last year declared free of the wild polio virus.
Usman said he never received polio drops as a child because his illiterate parents were unaware of the dangers posed by the virus.
“But I have been vaccinating my six children with polio drops during every single anti-polio campaign in Quetta,” the stuntman said.




Stuntman Muhammad Usman, a polio sufferer, pulls a car with a chain tied to a sharp knife hanging around his neck in Quetta, Pakistan, on January 17, 2021. (AN Photo by Saadullah Akhter)

Bangulzai, who has been Usman’s teacher for around five years, said he had more than 190 students across Balochistan but Usman was the most “loyal and keen” among them. 
“When Usman joined my club and asked me to teach him, I couldn’t refuse him because I didn’t want to break his hopes,” the instructor told Arab News.
In one memorable instance in 2015, Bangulzai said Usman had to replace him at the Sibi Mela after he had to pull out of the event at the last minute to take care of an ailing relative.
“My student [Usman] performed ... with immense confidence and accuracy in what was his first public performance,” the teacher said.
Stunts is not all Usman does.
He is also the driver of a passenger coach and a rickshaw, a performing artist for TV and theater shows, and a comedian.
“What else could I wish from my god?” he said, expressing gratitude for the “full” life he had led despite being a polio sufferer.
Usman is now training his eldest son who at the age of sixteen is already performing at small festivals.




Stuntman Muhammad Usman, a polio sufferer, poses with his son in Quetta, Pakistan, on January 17, 2021 (AN Photo by Saadullah Akhter)

“I want my son to become a famous stuntman in Pakistan,” Usman said. “Because after my death, people will know him by my name.”


Pakistani, UAE officials agree to expand cooperation in railways sector

Updated 17 March 2025
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Pakistani, UAE officials agree to expand cooperation in railways sector

  • The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and US, and a key source of foreign investment
  • Pakistan Railways is currently working to improve its services with the help of domestic and international partners

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the railways sector, the Pakistani railway ministry said on Monday.
The statement came after Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi’s meeting with UAE First Secretary to Pakistan Ahmed Al-Tahiri, at which both officials discussed strengthening bilateral relations across all sectors.
Abbasi highlighted that Pakistan Railways is continuously working to improve its services through long-term agreements with domestic and international suppliers, emphasizing that Pakistan offers a business-friendly environment and presents significant opportunities for investors.
“Both sides deliberated on various aspects of railway operations and mutual trade interests,” the Pakistani railways ministry said in a statement. “Both leaders agreed to continue and expand bilateral cooperation in the railway sector and other economic domains.”
Pakistan Railways faces many challenges like aging infrastructure, outdated tracks, locomotives and signal systems. Poor maintenance and a lack of modern safety measures often contribute to train derailments and accidents. Notable tragedies include the 2005 Ghotki train disaster, which killed over 130 people and the 2021 collision that left at least 65 people dead.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and a major source of foreign investment valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry. Both countries have stepped up efforts in recent years to strengthen their economic relations. In Jan. 2024, Pakistan and the UAE signed multiple agreements worth more than $3 billion for cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure.
During Monday’s meeting, the UAE first secretary emphasized the deep-rooted ties of brotherhood and mutual respect between the two nations, according to the Pakistani railway ministry.
“He reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to further enhancing bilateral cooperation,” the ministry said.


Pioneering American AI firm to expand operations in Pakistan, finance ministry says

Updated 17 March 2025
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Pioneering American AI firm to expand operations in Pakistan, finance ministry says

  • Afiniti is a leading global AI provider in health care, telecommunications, travel, hospitality, insurance and banking industries
  • Around 80 percent of Afiniti’s operational support team is based in Pakistan, with its customer base extending to Europe and other regions

ISLAMABAD: A pioneering American artificial intelligence (AI) company, Afiniti, has decided to expand its operations in Pakistan and recruit more talent in the South Asian country, the Pakistani finance ministry said on Monday.
Founded in 2005, Afiniti is a global AI provider in health care, telecommunications, travel, hospitality, insurance and banking industries as well as across multiple customer experience channels.
A delegation, led by Afiniti Chief Executive Officer Jerome Vaughan Kapelus, called on Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday to discuss the company’s growth and continued investment in Pakistan.
“The meeting focused on discussions regarding Afiniti’s expanding business operations in Pakistan, the recruitment of talent and associated issues related to the taxation structure,” the Pakistani finance ministry said in a statement.
Kapelus highlighted that around 80 percent of Afiniti’s operational support team was based in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, with the company’s customer base extending to North America, Europe and other regions.
He praised Pakistani engineers, computer scientists and technologists, and said that his firm had an “exceptional” experience while recruiting people from Pakistan, according to the statement.
Pakistan is making steady progress in AI, with increasing investments in research, education and industry. Initiatives like the National Center for Artificial Intelligence are driving innovation, while startups explore AI applications in health care, finance and security sectors.
Despite challenges such as limited funding and infrastructure, Pakistan’s AI sector shows promise, with companies leveraging AI for data analytics, automation and customer engagement. As global AI adoption increases, the South Asian country aims to strengthen its position through policy support and technological advancements.
Aurangzeb appreciated Afiniti’s continued investment in Pakistan and assured the delegation of his government’s support in creating an enabling ecosystem for IT and agriculture sectors. He apprised the delegation of the Pakistan Crypto Council’s launch to regulate and integrate blockchain technology and digital assets into Pakistan’s financial landscape.
“The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to supporting businesses like Afiniti, and the importance of continued collaboration between the public and private sectors to foster growth and development in Pakistan,” the finance ministry said.


‘Significant progress’ in IMF review triggers bull run at Pakistan stock market

Updated 17 March 2025
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‘Significant progress’ in IMF review triggers bull run at Pakistan stock market

  • The KSE-100 index gained over 1,000 points to close the week’s first session at 116,199.59 points
  • The index may rise to a record 123,000 points by June, if Pakistan clears IMF review, analyst says

KARACHI: Pakistan’s stocks rallied on Monday and rose 0.6 percent to the highest close in more than two months as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave some positive signals about its ongoing review of the South Asian country’s $7 billion loan program.
The benchmark KSE-100 index gained more than 1,000 points in the day trade before closing the week’s first session at 116,199.59 points, according to stock analysts.
Sana Tawfik, head of research at Arif Habib Ltd, said the stock market could reach 123,000 points by June if Pakistan sails through the first review of the IMF program.
“This is the highest since January 6,” Tawfik said, citing two main reasons for Monday’s bullish run.
“One is the IMF that issued a statement saying significant progress has been made [in talks with Pakistan] toward reaching the staff-level agreement. [Secondly], the overall sentiment is positive.”
The Washington-based lender put all speculation about its negotiations with Islamabad to an end, when its mission chief, Nathan Porter, said last week the two sides had made “significant progress” toward reaching an accord.
“The mission and the authorities will continue policy discussions virtually to finalize these discussions over the coming days,” Porter said on March 15.
The IMF team stayed in Pakistan for more than two weeks and reviewed the country’s economic reforms under its Extended Fund Facility as well as a fresh loan of about $1.5 billion to increase its climate resilience and sustainability.
“The IMF described the progress of the $7 billion loan program as ‘strong’ despite the absence of a staff-level agreement,” said Naveed Nadeem, a senior equity trader at Topline Securities Ltd., in a note to clients.
Monday’s rally was driven by Mari Energies, Pakistan State Oil, Oil & Gas Development Company Ltd. Lucky Cement and Searle Pakistan that collectively added 658 points to the benchmark index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
The equity market also gained some strength from reports of the government’s plan to resolve the longstanding issue of power sector debt, or the circular debt, according to analysts.
“This performance was influenced by the government’s initiatives to tackle Pakistan’s power sector debt,” Nadeem added.


Pakistan calls Indian PM’s remarks about regional peace ‘misleading and one-sided’

Updated 17 March 2025
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Pakistan calls Indian PM’s remarks about regional peace ‘misleading and one-sided’

  • PM Narendra Modi said in a recent podcast that India’s attempts to foster peace with Pakistan were ‘met with hostility and betrayal’
  • India’s ‘fictitious narrative of victimhood’ can’t hide its involvement in fomenting militancy on Pakistan’s soil, Islamabad says

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Monday said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on a podcast about regional peace were “misleading and one-sided,” criticizing New Delhi for “conveniently” omitting the Kashmir dispute from discussions.
Modi, in a podcast with American computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman released on Sunday, said that India’s attempts to foster peace with Pakistan were “met with hostility and betrayal” and hoped that “wisdom would prevail” on the leadership in Islamabad to improve bilateral ties.
In response to Modi’s remarks, the Pakistani Foreign Office said India’s “fictitious narrative of victimhood” could not hide its involvement in fomenting militancy on Pakistan’s soil and the “state-sanctioned oppression” Indian-administered Kashmir.
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir has been a flashpoint between Pakistan and India since their independence from the British rule in 1947. Both Pakistan and India rule parts of the Himalayan territory, but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the disputed region.
“Instead of blaming others, India should reflect on its own record of orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion and terrorism in foreign territories,” it said in a statement.
“Pakistan has always advocated constructive engagement and result-oriented dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The statement by the Pakistani Foreign Office was a reference to allegations against Indian agents of plotting assassinations in the United States (US) and Canada.
In Jan. 2024, Pakistan also accused India of “extraterritorial” and “extrajudicial” killings of two of its citizens on Pakistani soil, while it has consistently accused India along with other countries of fomenting militancy in its western provinces, particularly Balochistan.
New Delhi denies all allegations.
The Pakistani Foreign Office further said that peace and stability in South Asia have remained “hostage to India’s rigid approach and hegemonic ambitions.”
“The anti-Pakistan narrative, emanating from India, vitiates the bilateral environment and impedes the prospects for peace and cooperation,” it said.
“It must stop.”


Pakistan’s power generation dropped 15% MoM during February— report

Updated 17 March 2025
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Pakistan’s power generation dropped 15% MoM during February— report

  • Pakistan’s power generation cost declined by 13% year-on-year and 30% month-on-month during February 2025, says report
  • Financial analysts attribute power generation decline to a lack of industrial activity, increasing shift toward solar energy

KARACHI: Pakistan’s power generation dropped by 15% month-on-month (MoM) in February 2025, a report by a top brokerage firm said on Monday, which analysts attributed to reduced demand due to slow industrial activity and an increasing shift of customers toward solar energy. 

According to a report by brokerage firm Topline Securities, total electricity generation dropped by 3% year-on-year to 81,738 GWh over the first eight months of the fiscal year 2024-25 (from July-February). This was down from 84,317 GWh in the corresponding period last year, it said. 

“Pakistan’s power generation decreased by 2% YoY and 15% MoM to 6,945 GWh in Feb 2025,” Topline Securities said. 

The report cited a decline of 13% in power generation cost YoY and 30% MoM in February 2025, adding that in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, power generation cost declined by 3% to Rs8.8 per unit.

Financial analysts attributed the decline in power generation due to reduced demand as a result of lack of industrial activity and an increasing number of people shifting toward solar energy. 

“There is reduced demand due to industrial activity which you can also see in the large scale manufacturing (LSM) numbers,” Muhammad Waqas Ghani, head of research at JS Global Capital Ltd., told Arab News. 

He said another reason for the decline in power generation was the increasing shift of residential consumers toward solar energy. He said commercial consumers had also installed their own captive plants that run on gas and coal. 

“This also shows a shift toward alternative [sources of energy] which decreases the grid’s usage,” he added. 

Samiullah Tariq, the head of research at Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company Ltd., agreed. 

“Reasons include reduced industrial activity, people leaving the [national] grid due to higher [energy] prices and solar adoption,” Tariq said. 

Pakistan has sought to ease fiscal pressure in recent months by undertaking energy reforms that reduce tariffs and slash capacity payments to independent power producers (IPPs). The federal cabinet approved a plan in January to renegotiate agreements with 14 IPPs in its bid to lower electricity costs and addressing the mounting circular debt.