ISLAMABAD: Around 3 a.m. each morning this week, Khurshid Alam woke up in his Pakistan home to watch survivors give testimony against the man who shot dead 51 worshippers in New Zealand mosques, including his brother, Naeem, and nephew, Talha.
Divided by thousands of miles, a seven-hour time difference and the coronavirus pandemic shutting borders, Naeem's widow, Ambreen, was among those who faced the shooter in Christchurch High Court and on Thursday heard his sentence.
White supremacist Brenton Tarrant, a 29-year-old Australian, was jailed for life without parole for the March 2019 attacks he launched on two Christchurch mosques while livestreaming.
"It was a very traumatic time, the last few days," Alam said from his home in Lahore in eastern Pakistan. "What we have lost cannot come back, but at least we know that justice has been given."
Alam had earlier watched the address by his sister-in-law, admiring her bravery. Alam's wife also travelled for days amid the pandemic and spent two weeks in quarantine to provide support for Ambreen, who lives in Christchurch, in court.
Many victims' families have watched from secure video links overseas and more than 50 received support to enter New Zealand, which has largely closed its borders to non-residents.
Ambreen described how her life had capsized since the moment last year, standing in a hospital in the early hours of the morning after the shooting, she realized her missing husband and 21-year old-son were not among the names hospital staff read out as injured.
"Since my husband and son passed away, I have never had a proper normal sleep," she told the court, and the gunman, on Tuesday. "I don’t think I ever will."
She also spoke of her pride in her husband, who was posthumously awarded for courage in Pakistan for charging at the gunman, buying precious time for worshippers to escape.
"Naeem died trying to save others and his act of bravery is something his sons will always feel proud for. His death was a reflection of his life," she said.
Ambreen said she felt distressed watching survivor after survivor stand up to address the shooter, but that once she had delivered her speech, she felt a surge of victory.
"It was quite a relief to express my opinion in front of him," she said. "I looked him in the eyes."
Since losing her eldest son, who had just graduated as an engineer, and her husband and "best friend," Ambreen has cared for her two surviving sons, is learning to drive, has taken her family on the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and endured New Zealand's strict weeks-long lockdown.
Throughout, she said, her anxiety grew over what would happen to the shooter.
When the sentence was finally delivered on Thursday, her family from New Zealand to Pakistan felt some solace.
"I miss them. It's a lifelong struggle for me,” she said. "But I felt like Naeem and Talha were there with me. I thought: they are waiting for justice to be done."
'I looked him in the eyes:' Pakistan family watches mosque shooter face justice in New Zealand
https://arab.news/rz723
'I looked him in the eyes:' Pakistan family watches mosque shooter face justice in New Zealand
- 29-year-old Brenton Tarrant was jailed for life without parole for the March 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks
- Widow of the Pakistani man who tried to stop the gunman says she hasn't had 'normal sleep' since the terror incident
Sri Lanka says seized $76 million smuggled drugs this year, mostly from Pakistan and Afghanistan
- Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala says drugs being smuggled into island by sea
- Official says there are an estimated 400,000 addicts in the nation of 22 million people
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s anti-narcotics drive has resulted in the seizure of more than three tons (6,600 pounds) of illegal drugs with a street value of $76 million this year, officials said Monday.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said most of the illegal drugs originated in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and were being smuggled into the island by sea.
He said there were an estimated 400,000 addicts in the nation of 22 million people.
“We need to reduce demand while keeping up detections,” Wijepala told reporters in Colombo.
Police chief Priyantha Weerasooriya said the drugs seized had a street value of 23 billion rupees ($76 million). That was close to the 28 billion rupees’ worth of drugs seized in the whole of 2024.
More than 1,000 people were arrested for drug dealing and smuggling, he added. They included a 38-year-old Thai woman, arrested at Colombo airport on May 30 carrying nearly 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of cocaine, the largest detection of the drug at an entry point to the South Asian nation.
Also last month, three others — from Britain, India and Thailand — were arrested trying to smuggle in nearly 60 kilograms (132 pounds) of synthetic cannabis.
All four suspects, including the Thai woman arrested with cocaine, could face life imprisonment if convicted.
Sri Lankan authorities have previously seized large quantities of heroin off the country’s shores, suggesting the island is being used as a transit hub for narcotics destined for other locations.
In October, a Sri Lankan court sentenced 10 Iranian men to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to heroin smuggling.
Sri Lanka’s largest single seizure of narcotics occurred in December 2016, when Customs found 800 kilos of cocaine in a transshipment container of timber destined for India.
Pakistan PM forms special sub-committees to promote ‘cashless’ economy
- Committees to provide recommendations on facilitating payments between public and businesses, raise awareness about digital systems
- Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in informal sector, are conducted using cash
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed three special sub-committees to promote a “cashless” system in the country, his office said on Monday amid Islamabad’s efforts to promote digital transactions to ensure more transparency in the national economy.
Pakistan is a cash-dominated market where a significant portion of transactions, particularly in the informal sector, are conducted using cash. Pakistan’s central bank has taken steps in recent months to ensure a more cashless economy so that financial transactions are more traceable, reducing chances of tax evasion and corruption.
Pakistan has witnessed significant growth in digital transactions in recent years. The country’s central bank said in April that its instant payment system, Raast, has processed over 892 million transactions amounting to Rs20 trillion ($72 billion) since its launch in 2021.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on promoting a cashless economy,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. “He directed the formation of three committees: Digital Payments Innovation and Adoption Committee, the Digital Public Infrastructure Committee and the Government Payments Committee.”
The press release said these special sub-committees would present recommendations on facilitating payments between the public and businesses, raise awareness about digital systems, activate the Pakistan Digital Authority and simplify transactions between the public and private sectors.
Sharif instructed officials to ensure digital transactions are made more affordable and easier for the public compared to cash ones. He further directed that the RAAST digital payment system be established across the federation and all Pakistani provinces.
“Establishing a digital transaction system is extremely important to bring transparency into the economy,” Sharif was quoted as saying. “Around the world, developed nations and successful economies are prioritizing cashless systems.”
During a briefing given to the premier on the government’s steps to promote a cashless economy, Sharif was told that 40 million users in total are benefiting from RAAST. The Pakistani premier was told that the federal government’s entire financial transactions are being conducted via RAAST and the system is being expanded to provinces as well.
“The Pakistan Digital Authority has been established, and work is underway under its umbrella to promote a cashless economy,” the PMO said.
The prime minister was also briefed that through the IT ministry’s Smart Islamabad Pilot Project, the government is taking steps to make Islamabad the first cashless city in Pakistan.
Pakistan to face Qatar in Asian Volleyball Nations Cup semifinal today
- Pakistan defeated Indonesia 3-1 in quarterfinals to book semifinal berth
- Tournament serves as qualifier for 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on Qatar today, Monday, in the semifinal of the 2025 Asian Volleyball Nations Cup in Bahrain, state-run media reported.
The tournament is being played in Manama from June 17 to 24 and features 12 teams. These include Pakistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Thailand, Qatar, Australia, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand.
The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship, with top-performing teams earning world ranking points and potential entry into the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB World Championships.
“The semifinals of the Asian Volleyball Nations Cup are being played today,” Pakistan State Television (PTV) said in a report on Monday. “Pakistan will face Qatar in the first semifinal of the event being played in Bahrain.”
Pakistan defeated Indonesia 3-1 in the quarterfinals to book the semifinal berth. The second semifinal will be played between Bahrain and South Korea.
Qatar will head into the match with some confidence, considering they beat Pakistan last year by a score of 25-22, 25-20, 25-19 in the same championship held in Bahrain.
The match is scheduled to be held at 19:00 local time (16:00 Coordinated Universal Time).
In August 2024, Pakistan defeated Japan 3-0 to clinch the bronze medal at the Asian Men’s U18 Volleyball Championship.
Volleyball is a steadily growing sport in Pakistan governed by the Pakistan Volleyball Federation. The Pakistan volleyball team has shown consistent improvement in regional and international competitions.
Pakistan regularly participates in events such as the Asian Games and Asian Volleyball Championships, with the men’s team recently recording notable wins in regional tournaments.
Pakistan PM summons National Security Committee meeting as Middle East tensions surge
- Chaired by the prime minister, NSC is the principal decision-making body on Pakistan’s national security matters
- Experts warn Pakistan, which shares a porous border with Iran, may face security, economic challenges as conflict worsens
KARACHI: Pakistan’s premier Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) today, Monday, an official of the Prime Minister House confirmed amid surging tensions in the Middle East following the United States’ (US) involvement in the Iran-Israel military conflict.
The NSC is the principal decision-making body on Pakistan’s national security matters. Chaired by the prime minister, it comprises the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, finance, interior, information and senior military leadership.
The meeting will take place a day after US targeted key Iranian nuclear facilities, joining Israel in its military conflict against Iran which began on June 13. Israel had launched strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites and targeted its military leadership, saying its attack intended to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
“This [NSC meeting] is to happen today,” the official confirmed to Arab News, adding that a statement about the meeting will be released as well.
The development takes place a day after Pakistan’s mission to the United Nations (UN) announced Islamabad, Beijing and Moscow will present a joint resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East.
As per a copy of the draft seen by Arab News, the resolution calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue to reach an agreement acceptable to all parties that “guarantees the exclusively peaceful nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for complete lifting of all multilateral and unilateral sanctions.”
Pakistan has condemned the US strikes against Iran, with its UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad calling on the Security Council on Monday 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.
Financial analysts have warned that 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. Islamabad is 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. How Pakistan manages these competing ties amid an escalating regional conflict could test its diplomacy in the coming weeks.
Pakistani superstar Hania Aamir to star alongside India’s Diljit Dosanjh in ‘Sardaar Ji 3’
- Dosanjh announces Sardaar Ji 3 will release on June 27 in theaters around the world except India
- Frequent political tensions between India and Pakistan prevent artists from working with each other
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani superstar Hania Aamir recently shared the trailer of her upcoming Indian Punjabi horror-comedy movie “Sardaar Ji 3” in which she stars alongside famed Indian singer Diljit Dosanjh, announcing that the film will release in cinemas around the world except India on June 27.
Frequent political tensions between bitter rivals India and Pakistan have restricted artists from both countries from working with each other over the years. Indian producers imposed an unofficial ban on Pakistani artists in 2016 after ties deteriorated. Pakistan also banned the screening of Indian movies after relations with New Delhi reached a new low in 2019 over the disputed Kashmir region.
Tensions between India and Pakistan surged in May after they engaged in a days-long military conflict before the United States brokered a ceasefire between them. Several Indian media outlets reported this month that Aamir has been replaced as the female lead from Sardaar Ji 3 following the latest hostilities between the neighbors.
“SARDAAR JI 3 releasing 27th June OVERSEAS only!” Aamir wrote on social media platform Instagram on Sunday, sharing the trailer of the film.
Dosanjh confirmed on his Instagram as well that the movie will not release in India.
“Sardaar Ji 3 releasing 27th June OVERSEAS only,” the Indian actor wrote.
The movie has been directed by Aamr Hundal and other than Dosanjh and Aamir, stars Gulshan Grover, Neeru Bajwa, Jasmin Bajwa and Manav Ji in prominent roles.
As per the film’s trailer, Aamir and Neeru Bajwa both play romantic leads opposite Dosanjh. All three work together as ghost hunters tasked with removing a spirit from a mansion in the UK.
Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and Indian actress Vaani Kapoor’s Bollywood film “Abir Gulaal” was scheduled to release in India on May 9. However, India’s broadcasting ministry said in April it would not allow the film to be released in the country following the April 22 killing of 26 people at a tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir.
India accused Pakistan of being involved in the attack, which Islamabad denied. After weeks of tensions, both countries engaged in armed conflict before the ceasefire on May 10.
