DUBAI: Pakistani students in the UAE will now be able to get scholarships worth one million dirhams (AED) and discounts of up to 50 percent on tuition fees as part of agreements between the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai and a number of universities.
The agreements aim to encourage students from UAE's Pakistani community to continue their higher education in the UAE, instead of opting to move back to Pakistan due to expensive fee structures in the Emirates, the Consul General of Pakistan to the UAE, Ahmed Amjad Ali, told Arab News on Monday.
The consulate signed an agreement with the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (Szabist) in Dubai on Sunday and with Skyline University College, in Sharjah on Monday, Ali said.
“Agreements with two other universities, Bolton University in Ras Al Khaimah and Al Dar University, will also be signed soon as details are being finalized with them,” he added. “Many of our students had no choice but to head back home since not many affordable options were available for them in the UAE. We want to encourage them to continue their studies here while staying close to their families.”
Szabist charges up to AED 2,500 per course for an undergraduate programme.
Students can apply for the new scholarships through the consulate which will then refer them to the university of their choice. A minimum GPA of 2.50 is required to be eligible.
Rakesh Gaur, Director of Marketing and Creative Communication at Skyline University College, told Arab News that a fund of AED one million had been allocated for students from the Pakistani community. As per the Memorandum of Understanding, the university would also hold workshops and webinars for Pakistani students. Skyline currently offers business and IT undergraduate and graduate programmes.
“We have divided the scholarship into three metrics of 15, 25 and 50 percent with a minimum GPA of 2.50,” Gaur said. To apply for a 50 percent scholarship, students had to achieve a GPA of 3.0 and maintain it through the entire programme.
Skyline charges AED 178,500 for a two-year BBA programme. It will soon open applications for its January term.
Professor Dr Humayun Naeem, head of the Dubai campus of Szabist University, told Arab News that a 20 percent discount on fees would be applicable for all students who had been recommended by the Pakistan Consulate.
“With this discount, each student would be able to get AED 1,600 off per Bachelor of Business Administration programme effective February onwards,” he said. “We are very happy to support students from our community especially in the times of this pandemic where students might have to discontinue their education.”
One million dirhams in scholarships announced for Pakistani students in UAE
https://arab.news/wu673
One million dirhams in scholarships announced for Pakistani students in UAE
- Pakistani consulate signed an agreement with Szabist University in Dubai on Sunday and Skyline University in Sharjah on Monday
- Students can apply for the scholarships through the consulate, a minimum GPA of 2.50 is required to be eligible
Locals in Pakistan’s Hunza Valley call for action against hotels ‘polluting’ Attabad Lake
- After a foreign vlogger’s video went viral, officials sealed part of Luxus Hunza Attabad Lake Resort, imposed $5,300 fine
- Resort denies allegations of dumping sewage into the lake, says such actions “would be like desecrating our own house”
KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: Local social activists in Pakistan’s northern Hunza Valley are demanding strict action against hotels operating around Attabad Lake for failing to meet environmental standards, after a video by a foreign vlogger alleging untreated sewage discharge into the lake went viral on social media this week.
Attabad Lake was formed in 2010 when a massive landslide blocked the Hunza River, killing 20 people and submerging villages and a stretch of the strategic Karakoram Highway that links Pakistan to China. Over the years, the lake has become a major tourist attraction, driving a boom in hotel construction along its banks.
Following the viral video by travel vlogger George Buckley, officials from the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GBEPA) and local administration inspected the hotel’s premises and sewage facilities on Tuesday.
“We have fined Rs 1.5 million ($5,300) on [Luxus Hunza Attabad Lake Resort] hotel after the inspection,” Khadim Hussain, a director at the EPA, confirmed to Arab News.
“A portion of the resort has been sealed for the period of three months. And if they don’t develop a waste treatment plan within the stipulated period of time, the [whole] facility will be sealed and imposed more fines.”
He added: “The action against the hotels that are not complying [with] environmental standards continues in the region before the video of a foreign vlogger.”
Residents say pollution caused by unchecked hotel expansion is now threatening Attabad Lake’s clear blue water, which draws thousands of tourists every year.
“Solid waste is becoming a big issue in the surrounding areas of Attabad Lake and especially on river banks due to the construction of hotels,” Shahid Hussain, a local social activist and politician, told Arab News by phone.
“When the level of the water [in the lake] increases during summer, the level of sewage waste in soakage pits also rises and merges into the lake. This is deteriorating the natural beauty of Attabad Lake.”
He stressed:
“The environmental protection authority has fined one hotel. And this is not a permanent solution. The administration and EPA should give a proper mechanism to protect nature and clean water.”
Another activist, Zahoor Ilahi, echoed the call for tougher enforcement.
“Initially, when locals started to build miniature resorts and hotels, the municipal and district administration teased the locals in the name of NOC [No Objection Certificate],” he said.
“Later big investors came to the region and built big hotels, and there is no treatment plant for sewage waste. If the [Luxus] hotel has no treatment plan, then the whole resort should be sealed instead of imposing a fine on them.”
Ilahi warned that untreated wastewater could also threaten local drinking water projects:
“A project is underway to supply drinking water from Attabad Lake for central Hunza under a federal PSDP project. So, the protection of clean water is very much needed. If the government fails to protect the clean water, it will multiply the miseries of locals.”
In a Facebook post, the Luxus Resort rejected the allegations.
“Attabad Lake formed in 2010. Before Luxus Hunza opened its doors to tourists in 2019, no one had experienced this majestic lake up close. This lake has been home for us for the last six years. It is the reason and purpose of our existence. To dump sewage water into the lake would be like desecrating our own house. We have never nor will we ever dump a single liter of waste water into Attabad Lake,” the hotel management said.
It added that the cloudy appearance of the lake near the hotel was due to natural sediment from mountain streams mixing with the clear lake water, not sewage discharge.
Arab News attempted to contact a representative of Luxus Hotel Hunza for further comment but did not receive a response by the time of filing this report.
Pakistan’s second Congo virus death for 2025 confirmed in Karachi
- 25-year-old fisherman butchered animals for two days during Eid Al-Adha, developed fever, muscle pain and bleeding complications
- 42-year-old man from Karachi’s Malir district died on June 17, marking Pakistan’s first confirmed fatality from tick-borne virus in 2025
KARACHI: A 25-year-old fisherman has died from Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in Karachi, health authorities confirmed on Thursday, marking Pakistan’s second fatality from the tick-borne virus this year.
The patient, Mohammad Zubair, a resident of Qur’angi Creek in Bin Qasim Town, butchered animals for two days during Eid Al-Adha earlier this month and developed high-grade fever, muscle pain and bleeding complications days later, according to a report by the District Health Officer (DHO) Malir.
“Active search of case was done surrounding that area, no any other case was found,” the official notification said, adding that Zubair’s family members were stable and showing no symptoms of the disease.
This comes just days after a 42-year-old man, also from Karachi’s Malir district, died of CCHF on June 17. According to the Sindh Health Department, his test report came back positive a day earlier, making him the province’s first confirmed fatality from the virus this year.
The Congo virus, which has a fatality rate ranging between 10 to 40 percent depending on timely treatment and the patient’s condition, is endemic in parts of Africa, Europe and Asia. In Pakistan, infections often spike around Eid Al-Adha, when millions of animals are bought, transported and slaughtered, increasing human exposure to infected ticks and animal blood.
Local health teams have carried out community awareness sessions in Karachi’s affected areas and advised residents to use protective clothing and follow hygiene measures when handling livestock.
There is currently no approved vaccine for the Congo virus, though experimental trials are underway in Europe.
Pakistan reported its first case of CCHF in 1976 and continues to see sporadic outbreaks, particularly in rural areas and provinces like Balochistan, which recorded 23 cases and five deaths last year.
Three Pakistani schools among Top 10 finalists for World’s Best School Prizes 2025
- Finalists are Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust School, Nordic International School, Beaconhouse College Program Juniper Campus
- The winners and finalists of the global schools prizes will be invited to the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on November 15–16
ISLAMABAD: Three Pakistani schools have this week been named among the Top 10 finalists for the World’s Best School Prizes 2025, prestigious global awards founded by T4 Education to spotlight exceptional schools transforming education and communities.
T4 Education is a global digital platform and community founded to empower teachers and schools to share best practices and drive positive change in education worldwide. It launched the World’s Best School Prizes to spotlight schools making an exceptional impact beyond the classroom.
Winners of the five World’s Best School Prizes — for Community Collaboration, Environmental Action, Innovation, Overcoming Adversity, and Supporting Healthy Lives — will be announced in October following evaluation by an expert Judging Academy and a global public vote. Finalists and winners will share their insights at the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi in November.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif commended the management, teachers and students of the three Pakistani schools: the Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust Higher Secondary School and Nordic International School, both in Lahore, and the Beaconhouse College Program Juniper Campus in Quetta.
“These schools have made a name for themselves in terms of modern curriculum, research, technology, environment, development of backward and rural areas,” Sharif said in a statement released by his office.
“These educational institutions have made the country’s name known all over the world.”
Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust Higher Secondary School in Lahore has been shortlisted for the World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity. The charity school, which began in an abandoned factory, now educates nearly 800 students from marginalized backgrounds through the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Program. It is the first in Pakistan to offer this curriculum to underserved communities, empowering students with critical 21st-century skills and bridging socio-economic divides.
Beaconhouse College Program, Juniper Campus, Quetta, is a finalist for the Community Collaboration prize for its “Science Gaari” initiative — a student-led mobile science lab bringing hands-on STEM education to remote schools in Balochistan, one of Pakistan’s most underserved provinces. The project has reached over 150 schools, boosting science engagement and inspiring rural students to pursue careers in technology and research.
Nordic International School Lahore has also been named a finalist for Community Collaboration. The independent school emphasizes strong parental involvement and a culture of kindness to foster a supportive learning environment. Parents are engaged throughout students’ academic journeys via an interactive app, regular workshops, and celebrations of learning milestones.
“It is in schools like Sanjan Nagar, BCP Juniper Campus Quetta, and Nordic International School Lahore where we find the innovations and expertise that give us hope for a better future,” T4 Education Founder Vikas Pota said.
Pakistan prepares for early rollout of Hajj 2026 registration
- Move follows directive from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah
- Pakistan sent more than 115,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs is finalizing preparations to launch early registration for both private and government Hajj 2026 schemes to streamline the pilgrimage process, state media reported on Wednesday.
The move follows a directive from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to begin preparations for Hajj 2026 well in advance.
This year’s Hajj pilgrimage took place from June 4 to June 9, drawing millions of worshippers to Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan sent more than 115,000 pilgrims under both government and private schemes.
“The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony is finalizing preparations to begin early registration for Hajj 2026 within the next few days,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
It added that advance registration would be mandatory for all intending pilgrims under both the government and private schemes and applicants would have to submit a specified token amount with their registration forms, which would later be adjusted against the total Hajj package cost.
Only designated banks will be authorized to handle registrations, which will be a prerequisite for eligibility under the Hajj 2026 program, APP said.
Pilgrims will be able to choose between the government and private Hajj schemes after completing the initial registration process.
Individuals who missed this year’s Hajj under the private scheme must complete a fresh registration to be eligible for Hajj 2026, according to the APP report.
“The registration data will be shared with the Saudi authorities, who will use it to allocate Pakistan’s official Hajj quota,” APP said.
A formal advertisement detailing the registration procedure and eligibility requirements will be issued in the coming days.
Pakistan’s Director General Hajj, Abdul Wahab Soomro, said this week the government would strive to make next year’s pilgrimage “even better” for pilgrims, with improved facilities, especially for the elderly.
Pakistan began its post-Hajj flight operations on June 11 with the arrival of a Pakistan International Airlines flight, PK-732, in Islamabad carrying 307 pilgrims. The flights are expected to conclude by July 10.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, more than 11,400 pilgrims, including around 3,000 from Madinah, have returned to Pakistan so far.
At least 60 migrants, including Pakistanis and Egyptians, feared dead after Libya shipwrecks
- First ship went down on June 12 near port in Tripoli, with 21 people reported missing and only five survivors found
- Second wreck took place about 35km off the port city of Tobruk, with sole survivor reporting 39 people lost at sea
TRIPOLI, Libya: At least 60 migrants including Pakistanis and Egyptians are feared dead after a pair of shipwrecks off the coast of Libya over the past week, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The first ship went down on June 12 near a Libyan port in Tripoli, with 21 people, including women and children, reported missing and only five survivors found, the IOM said in a statement Tuesday.
Those lost at sea included Eritrean, Pakistani, Egyptian and Sudanese nationals.
The second wreck took place about 35 kilometers (20 miles) off the port city of Tobruk, with the sole survivor reporting 39 people lost at sea, according to the UN body.
“With dozens feared dead and entire families left in anguish, IOM is once again urging the international community to scale up search and rescue operations and guarantee safe, predictable disembarkation for survivors,” said Othman Belbeisi, the IOM’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa.
According to the statement, at least 743 people have died so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
The deadly route, it said, is “marked by increasingly dangerous smuggling practices, limited rescue capacity and growing restrictions on humanitarian operations.”
As of June 15, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, migrant landings on the Italian coast were up 15 percent year on year, with most originating in Libya.
