Zara Abid: A star that had to shine more

File photo of Zara Abid. ( Phot courtesy: Social media )
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Updated 02 June 2020
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Zara Abid: A star that had to shine more

  • The 28-year-old actor lost her life in the PIA plane crash in Karachi on Friday
  • Abid’s film, Sikka, was released on a YouTube channel only a few days after her tragic demise

KARACHI: Pakistan was already struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic when a PIA plane crash in this seaside metropolis claimed 97 lives on Friday.

Zara Abid, a 28-year-old model and actor who was coming to Karachi from Lahore in the special Eid flight to celebrate the festivity with her family, was among the victims of the tragedy.

A few days after her demise, Abid’s debut film, Sikka (coin), was released on Qissa Nagri, a YouTube channel. It summed up the story of two women who are quite different from each other, though they are both in pursuit of happiness. The deceased actor played a dual role in the movie that also benefitted from Saba Qamar’s beautiful monologue narration.

The film was shot last year in Islamabad by a young journalist and filmmaker, Ahmed Sarym.




In this undated file photo, Zara Abid can be seen with Ahmed Sarym in Islamabad during the shoot of her film, Sikka. The movie was released only a few days after Abid's tragic demise in a PIA plane crash in Karachi. (Photo Courtesy: Ahmed Sarym)

Elaborating the idea of the movie, Sarym said: “I started working on it and realized that I wanted to turn it into a short film. I had been an active journalist for about five years and wanted to get into filmmaking. Sikka was my way of describing what brought human beings together beyond social strata and worldly appearances. It was an attempt to show that we are all different sides of the same coin.”

Asked why Sarym cast Zara to play the dual role, he said: “I had approached several actresses to play the role. However, it was logistically not possible for them to travel to Islamabad. I didn’t know Zara before this, but I left her a message on Facebook and she loved the idea and decided to fly down to film with us – all on her own expense. In all honesty, it was meant to be and she was an absolute angel.”

Sarym recalls that working with Zara was like a dream. “She was unbelievably cooperative and hardworking and gave the film her absolute best. We spent hours discussing her characters, and I explained how I wanted her to approach them. She truly brought my vision to life, and I couldn’t ever thank her enough for that.”

As a person, she was different from the rest, he said.




In this undated file photo, Zara Abid can be seen with her fellow co-star, Ahmad Taha Ghani, during the shoot of her film, Sikka. (Photo Courtesy: Ahmad Taha Ghani)
 

“She had the most infectious laugh and was very generous and giving. In all honesty, there can be nobody quite like her. Zara’s demise has left me with a broken heart,” he added.

Sarym said they had developed a great working relationship and he wanted to cast her in his future films as well.

Talking to Arab News, Pakistan’s iconic star, Saba Qamar, said she was deeply devastated by the news of Abid’s death, though she did not get a chance to meet her while the film was made. Qamar said she always supported young filmmakers who wanted to make good movies and encouraged them to step into the field. This was also the reason why she decided to help Sarym with the monologue.

Sharing his memories, Ahmad Taha Ghani, who worked with Abid as her co-star, said: “I met her first time on the day of the shoot. I found her to be a very genuine human being. She was a strong woman who knew what she wanted. At the same time, she was a humble, grounded and down-to-earth individual who was accessible and easy to communicate with.”




This undated file photo shows Zara Abid with Neha Laaj, the producer of "Chaudhary," in Karachi. (Photo Courtesy: Neha Laaj)

Taha, an Islamabad-based actor, who started his career in the film industry in 2017 by playing the role of an aviation pilot in “Yalghaar,” praised Abid for her potential as an actor.

“She had the ability to mold herself and fit into any character,” he said. “Zara was capable of playing different and diverse roles.”

“I thought that she was a very good professional. Unlike many other actors, she did not throw tantrums and was passionate about her work. She also cooperated with all team members,” he added.




In this undated file photo, Zara Abid can be seen on the set of her film, Sikka, in Islamabad. (Photo Courtesy: Ahmed Sarym)

Few people know, however, that Sikka was not Abid’s first movie. She also played the role of a university student in “Chaudhry,” a feature film based on the life of Chaudhry Aslam Khan, a Sindh police officer who was assassinated in Karachi by militants in January 2014.

Neha Laaj, the producer of Chaudhry, said that some work on the film was pending due to the lockdown, though her team was planning to resume its activities immediately after Eid Al-Fitr.

“Zara was supposed to start her shoot from today, 27th of May, and we were hoping to film her role in the next four to five days. We wanted to shoot some clips of her song and a crucial scene in the movie,” she said.

Laaj has now decided to sign another actor for the role, though the film will pay tribute to Abid and include some of her recordings as well.

“Zara was enthusiastic about her role in the film,” she said, “and was adamant to choose acting as a career. That is why I inducted her in acting classes.”

“She gave the project a lot of time,” she added, “and I will always have fond memories of her.”


At least 14 killed in Pakistan storms after heatwave

Updated 25 May 2025
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At least 14 killed in Pakistan storms after heatwave

  • A clip filmed inside a plane about to land in Lahore showed passengers screaming as the aircraft was tossed about by turbulence
  • Pakistan, one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, is grappling with increasingly frequent extreme weather events

LAHORE: “Destructive” windstorms that raged across central and northern Pakistan after an intense heatwave have killed at least 14 people and injured over 100 more, officials said Sunday.

Fierce winds, thunder and lightning swept across eastern Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces as well as the capital Islamabad on Saturday afternoon and evening, uprooting trees and downing electric poles.

While the majority of the deaths were caused by collapsing walls and roofs, at least two people died after being hit by solar panels dislodged by the whipping gusts.

One man was killed and three others were injured by lightning strikes.

Mazhar Hussain, a spokesperson for the Punjab provincial disaster management authority, told AFP that such windstorms develop because of excessive heat, which reached above 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) in recent days.

“There were three to four days in the recent heatwave where temperatures went up quite a lot,” he said, announcing 14 deaths in Punjab and 100 injured.

“This windstorm was particularly destructive. The wind speed was very high. There was so much dust in it that visibility was greatly reduced.”

The Pakistan Meteorological Department predicted more storms on Sunday.

Social media was replete on Saturday evening with videos of the damage the windstorms had unleashed.

A clip filmed inside a plane about to land in Punjab’s city of Lahore showed passengers screaming in terror as the aircraft was tossed about by turbulence.

The plane was later diverted to Karachi.

Other videos show cars crushed by falling trees and roads blocked by debris.

Pakistan, one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, is grappling with increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

Islamabad experienced several usually rare hail storms throughout April and May that damaged vehicles, smashed window panes and shattered solar panels.

Soaring temperatures in April and May are becoming more common in Pakistan, which usually sees summer begin in early June.

Temperatures reached near-record levels in April, as high as 46.5C (115.7F) in parts of Punjab.

Schools in Punjab and Balochistan have announced early summer vacations because of the heat.


First batch of Bangladeshi players arrives in Pakistan to play three-match T20 series

Updated 44 min 7 sec ago
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First batch of Bangladeshi players arrives in Pakistan to play three-match T20 series

  • The series will be held in Lahore, with the first T20 scheduled for May 28
  • Both squads will train at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Monday, the PCB says

ISLAMABAD: A group of Bangladeshi players arrived in Pakistan on Sunday to play three Twenty20 internationals (T20Is) against the ‘Men in Green,’ the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be held in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, with the first match scheduled for May 28.

The first group of Bangladesh contingent arrived in Pakistan in wee hours of Sunday and two more groups will arrive on Monday, according to the PCB.

Members of Pakistan’s squad will assemble in Lahore on Sunday, while players participating in Sunday’s final of the Pakistan Super League will join on Monday.

“Both teams will train at 7:30pm at Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore,” the PCB said in a statement.

Bangladesh were initially scheduled to play five T20Is, but the tour was put in jeopardy following a cross-border conflict between Pakistan and India this month.

Both neighbors clashed for four days before agreeing to a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement on May 10.

Pakistan was also forced to reschedule its Twenty20 league — the Pakistan Super League (PSL) — after a ten-day break.

The Indian Premier League — the world’s richest cricket tournament — was also interrupted.


Pakistan, Uzbekistan hope to finalize framework agreement for 573-km railway line via Afghanistan

Updated 25 May 2025
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Pakistan, Uzbekistan hope to finalize framework agreement for 573-km railway line via Afghanistan

  • The $4.8 billion project aims to enhance regional trade and logistics movement by connecting the three countries
  • It is part of Pakistan’s efforts to position itself as a key transit hub, connecting landlocked Central Asia to the world

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday discussed the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway line project with his Uzbek counterpart Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich, the Pakistani foreign ministry said, adding the two figures expressed hope the project’s framework agreement would be completed soon.

The $4.8 billion Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway line is an extensive project with the objective of creating a direct railway link between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, passing through Afghanistan’s territory.

It aims to enhance trade and logistics efficiency by establishing a 573-kilometer rail connection that would connect Termiz in Uzbekistan to the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar via Afghanistan’s Mazar-i-Sharif.

The project is part of Pakistan’s efforts to position itself as a key trade and transit hub, connecting landlocked Central Asian states to the global market through its strategic location.

“Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar today held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich. The two leaders discussed existing bilateral relations, particularly Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project,” the Pakistani foreign office said.

“They expressed the hope that framework agreement for the regional connectivity project will be finalized soon. Views were also exchanged on current regional situation.”

The three neighboring countries signed an agreement to build the regional connectivity project in February 2021. Dar also visited Afghanistan in April this year and discussed the project with the Afghan Taliban rulers in Kabul.

Pakistan is seeking to leverage its strategic position as a key trade and transit hub to connect Central Asia with global markets and since last year, there has been a flurry of high-level visits, investment discussions and other economic engagements between Islamabad and Central Asian republics.

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have also been working toward optimizing cargo flows, establishing green corridors at border customs points, and digitalization of customs clearance processes to facilitate smoother trade operations.


Pakistan allocates 2,000MW to bitcoin mining, AI data centers in digital transformation push

Updated 4 min 20 sec ago
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Pakistan allocates 2,000MW to bitcoin mining, AI data centers in digital transformation push

  • Pakistan offers a strategic location in the world for data flow and digital infrastructure as a digital bridge between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
  • The country is positioning itself as a sovereign economy that can accumulate digital assets, export digital services, and lead in technological transformation

KARACHI: The Pakistani government has allocated 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in the first phase of a national initiative to power bitcoin mining and Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers, the finance ministry announced on Sunday, in a push to transform Pakistan into a global leader in digital innovation.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), a government-backed body under the Ministry of Finance, as part of a broader strategy to monetize surplus electricity, create high-tech jobs, attract billions of dollars in foreign direct investment.

Pakistan is uniquely positioned, both geographically and economically, to become a global hub for data centers, and offers the most strategic location in the world for data flow and digital infrastructure as a bridge between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Pakistan’s combination of surplus power, geographic advantage, advanced subsea cable connectivity, renewable energy potential, and a large, digitally engaged population creates a compelling case for becoming a regional epicenter of Web3, AI, and digital innovation.

“This strategic allocation marks a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey, unlocking economic potential by turning excess energy into innovation, investment, and international revenue,” Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb was quoted as saying by his ministry.

Since the inception of the PCC, there has been tremendous interest from global bitcoin miners and data infrastructure companies, and several international firms have already visited Pakistan for exploratory discussions, according to the finance ministry. Following this landmark announcement, more global players are expected to visit in the coming weeks.

It said Pakistan’s underutilized power generation capacity is now being repurposed into a high-value digital asset.

“AI data centers and Bitcoin mining operations, known for their consistent and heavy energy usage, provide an ideal use case for this surplus,” the ministry said. ‘Redirecting idle energy, especially from plants operating below capacity, allows Pakistan to convert a long-standing financial liability into a sustainable, revenue-generating opportunity.”

PCC CEO Bilal bin Saqib emphasized the transformative nature of this initiative, saying Pakistan could become a global crypto and AI powerhouse with proper regulation, transparency, and international collaboration.
“This energy-backed digital transformation not only unlocks high-value investment but enables the government to generate foreign exchange in USD through bitcoin mining,” he said.

“Additionally, as regulations evolve, Pakistan can accumulate bitcoin directly into a national wallet, marking a monumental shift from selling power in Pakistani Rupees (PKR) to leveraging digital assets for economic stability.”

In April, Pakistan introduced its first-ever policy framework to regulate virtual assets and service providers, aligning with compliance and financial integrity guidelines of the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The move followed the establishment of the PCC in March to create a legal framework for cryptocurrency trading in a bid to lure international investment.

With the right incentives, strategic investments, and collaborative partnerships, Pakistan is positioning itself not only as a destination for global digital infrastructure but also as a sovereign economy that can accumulate digital assets, export digital services, and lead in the next generation of technological transformation.

“By offering stable and affordable energy, Pakistan presents a highly competitive environment compared to regional counterparts like India and Singapore, where rising power costs and land scarcity limit scalability,” the finance ministry said.

“Pakistan’s strategic advantage is further underscored by the global context: while AI data center demand has soared to over 100GW, global supply remains around 15GW. This massive shortfall creates an unprecedented opportunity for countries like Pakistan with surplus power, land, and an emerging regulatory framework.”

Pakistan’s digital connectivity has also been significantly strengthened by the landing of the world’s largest submarine Internet cable. The Africa-2 Cable Project, a 45,000-kilometer global network connecting 33 countries through 46 landing stations, has now landed in Pakistan. This milestone enhances Pakistan’s Internet bandwidth, latency, and resilience through redundant fiber routes — key for ensuring high availability and operational continuity for AI data centers.

With a population of over 250 million and more than 40 million crypto users, Pakistan holds immense potential as a regional leader in digital services, according to the finance ministry.

Establishing local AI data centers will not only address growing concerns around data sovereignty but will also enhance cybersecurity, improve digital service delivery, and empower national capabilities in AI and cloud infrastructure. These centers are expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, catalyzing the development of a skilled workforce in engineering, IT, and data sciences.

“This announcement marks only the first phase of a broader, multi-stage digital infrastructure rollout. Future developments are expected to include renewable energy-powered facilities — leveraging Pakistan’s immense wind (50,000 MW potential in the Gharo-Keti Bandar corridor), solar, and hydropower resources — strategic international partnerships with leading blockchain and AI companies, and the establishment of fintech and innovation hubs,” the ministry said.

“These efforts will be complemented by proposed incentives such as tax holidays, customs duty exemptions on equipment, and reduced taxes for AI infrastructure developers.”


Saad bin Munawar becomes first Pakistani to summit Mt Everest from northern side

Updated 25 May 2025
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Saad bin Munawar becomes first Pakistani to summit Mt Everest from northern side

  • Munawwar was part of a team of nine climbers who summitted the world's tallest peak as part of an expedition organized by Imagine Nepal
  • The route to Everest peak from the northern face starts in Tibet, which is different from the Nepalese route that most mountaineers take

ISLAMABAD: In a remarkable feat, Saad bin Munawar has become the first Pakistani to summit the world’s tallest mountain, 8,848-meter Mount Everest, from its northern face, his expedition organizer said on Saturday.

Munawwar was part of a team of nine climbers who summitted the world’s tallest peak as part of the Everest North Expedition organized by Imagine Nepal.

The route to Everest peak from the northern face starts in Tibet, which is different from the Nepalese side route that most mountaineers take to ascend the peak.

“Saad has become the only Pakistani climber to reach the summit of Mount Everest from the north side,” his expedition organizer said on Facebook.

“The other climbers include Justin Moore Walker, Dawa Gyalje Sherpa, Ang Mingma Sherpa, Sonam Tashi Sherpa, Ngima Dorjee Sherpa, Lakpa Tenzing Sherpa, Dawa Kami Sherpa, and Thupten Topchen Sherpa.”

A renowned adventurer, mountaineer and author, Munawwar has long been a source of inspiration in Pakistan’s adventure community. Before this Everest ascent, he was the first Pakistani to summit 6,961-meter Mt.

Aconcagua, the highest peak outside Asia, according to Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP), which arranges various expeditions in Munawwar’s home country.

“This remarkable achievement is not only a personal triumph for Saad but a proud milestone for Pakistan’s mountaineering community,” it said in a statement.

“His leadership in expeditions and mountaineering literature continues to motivate a new generation of climbers.”

Earlier this week, Pakistani woman mountaineer Naila Kiani scaled 8,586-meter Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, to become the first Pakistani woman to scale 12 of the world’s 14 peaks above the height of 8,000 meters.

Kiani now stands on the threshold of joining a global elite of only 17 women who have conquered all 14 eight-thousanders, Imagine Nepal, which also organized Kiani’s expedition, said after Friday’s summit.