‘Seat 1C’ by Zafar Masud Unveiled

The book, “Seat 1C: A Survivor’s Tale of Hope, Resilience of Renewal”, authored by PIA crash survivor Zafar Masud was unveiled during an event at the National Academy of Performing Arts(NAPA), Karachi.

The event was organized by MILKAR, a mental health awareness campaign jointly launched by the Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Foundation (MKRF) and the British Asian Trust, in the port city.

Addressing the event, Masud discussed life and mental health after the plane crash and said that accidents do happen, but we need to help each other when it comes to mental health.

He said, “Don’t look at mental health from a single perspective, as it has many aspects.”

He advised that after experiencing a trauma or an accident, one should not ignore it, even if one is strong. He further urged those who went through a trauma to visit a doctor.

“Luck and hope matter, but to overcome trauma, you must take positive measures,” he added.

He urged people not to ignore their responsibilities in the name of values or traditions.

In his book, Masud, one of the two survivors of the crash of the PIA plane in Karachi in 2020, discussed the impacts of traumatic events on human lives. The book also discusses his post-crash experiences, his recovery journey, and the author’s autobiography.

A large number of people from different walks of life attend the event.

MQM-P senior leader Nasreen Jalil, prominent businessman Amin Hashwani, and Masud’s family attended the event.

In the tragic incident on May 22, 2020, 97 passengers and crew members were killed when a Lahore to Karachi-bound PIA flight, PK-8303, crashed in Karachi’s Model Colony. However, two passengers on board the ill-fated plane miraculously survived.

Recalling the moments of the tragedy, Muhammad Zubair, the second survivor of the plane crash, said, “The entire plane was on fire, and I miraculously survived.

“I still can’t believe that I walked to the hospital after the crash,” he added.

“Even today, I feel fear during takeoff and landing,” said Zubair.

Pakistan’s minerals could help fix trade imbalance with the US: Finance Minister

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said Pakistan’s vast mineral resources could help fix the trade imbalance with the US, as both countries were set to hold trade talks next month.

Speaking at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, Mr Aurangzeb downplayed the significance of the Trump administration’s new tariffs. He said the real issue was “trade imbalance.”
He added that the US-Pakistan talks in Washington next month will focus on addressing trade imbalances and US tariffs.

He noted that the upcoming talks would present “a real opportunity” for the two countries to “engage constructively on a broad range of issues.”

He indicated that Pakistan was ready to address the $3 bn trade imbalance with the US during the forthcoming discussions.

The minister referenced the minerals conference held in Islamabad earlier this month, which was attended by a high-level US delegation.

“We believe the minerals sector could create a win-win situation for both the United States and Pakistan,” Mr Aurangzeb said, indicating this sector could help address the trade imbalance.

He noted that copper was a “critical component” in meeting global technological needs and emphasised Pakistan’s potential role in addressing the global shortage of precious minerals.

Indian yoga guru asked to delete ads against ‘Rooh Afza’

Indian yoga guru Baba Ramdev told a Delhi court that he will take down adverts in which he made controversial remarks about a rival firm’s drink, criticised by a judge as “indefensible.”

In a video promoting a sweet drink made by his company, Patanjali, Ramdev alleged that some brands used their profits to build mosques and madrassas.

He did not name the brand, but it was widely seen to be a reference to Rooh Afza, a popular drink made for more than a century by Hamdard Laboratories, an Islamic charitable organisation.
The video went viral, sparking outrage. Hamdard also filed a case, asking for the advertisements to be removed.

Rooh Afza is a non-alcoholic sweet drink in syrup form popular in South Asian countries, including India and Pakistan. It is usually referred to as sherbet. The syrup, introduced in 1906 by Hamdard, is usually mixed with milk or water and is very popular among Muslims breaking their fast during Ramadan.

In the video, Ramdev also used the phrase “sherbet jihad” – a play on terms like “love jihad,” used by radical Hindu groups to accuse Muslim men of converting Hindu women by marriage. In this case, it appears to be suggesting Muslims are profiting from money spent by Hindus.

Recently, a judge in the Delhi High Court criticised Ramdev’s remarks, calling them “indefensible.”

“It shocks the court’s conscience,” Justice Amit Bansal said.

The court also asked Ramdev to file an affidavit within five days, saying he would not issue any such statements, advertisements, or social media posts in the future.

Two dozen dead as tourists targeted in held Kashmir

At least two dozen people were killed when gunmen opened fire on tourists in the tourist hotspot of Pahalgam, in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The attack, which left dozens injured, coincided with a visit to India by US Vice President JD Vance. The dead included a navy officer and foreign tourists. Some of the victims were from distant regions of India, which included Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Pahalgam sits on a scenic meadow used as a backdrop in Indian films. It also falls on the route of the annual Amarnath Yatra — a Hindu pilgrimage to a cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, which makes it one of the most protected regions of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The brazen attack in the highly protected zone has raised eyebrows across the region. Condemning the attack, Indian PM Narendra Modi said that those behind the heinous act will be brought to justice.

Modi, who was visiting Saudi Arabia at the time of the incident, ordered Home Minister Amit Shah to take all necessary measures in response. Subsequently, Indian media reported that Shah was set to arrive in Srinagar to hold an urgent security review meeting with all relevant agencies. A hitherto unknown group, named by several Indian outlets as ‘The Resistance Front’, is said to have claimed responsibility for the attack.

A similar incident occurred ahead of former US president Bill Clinton’s visit to Delhi in 2000, but there was considerable dispute over who staged it. At the time, India had blamed Pakistan-based militants, but Indian and Kashmiri observers decried it as an alleged plot by the Indian army.

UAE, Pakistan reaffirm strategic partnership

The United Arab Emirates’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, recently called for maintaining the recent momentum in UAE-Pakistan ties, as both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening a broad-based strategic partnership.

“I really look forward to the good spirit that has been moving the relationship in the last few months would continue,” Al Nahyan said at the start of delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Al Nahyan was on a two-day official visit to Pakistan, leading a high-level delegation that included Ahmed Bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs; and Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability.

According to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reviewed key issues concerning the strategic partnership and explored opportunities to enhance collaboration in sectors critical to both countries’ development. Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated that the talks covered the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, focusing on trade and investment, energy cooperation, regional security, and people-to-people linkages.

“Our relationship has been growing at a good pace. I also have to stress that in the last year or two, things have been moving faster than they have for a while,” Al Nahyan said during the meeting. He emphasised the shared commitment to advancing cooperation in sectors aligned with the developmental priorities of both countries.

Economic cooperation has been a cornerstone of this growing relationship. Bilateral trade surpassed $10.9 billion in fiscal year 2023-24, bolstered by agreements signed in January 2024 worth more than $3bn. These deals focused on railway development, special economic zones, and port infrastructure. Remittances from the Pakistani diaspora in the UAE, numbering around 1.8 million, reached $6.7bn in 2024 and are projected to exceed $7bn in 2025. The UAE’s $10bn investment pledge in May 2024 targets key sectors including energy, trade, and infrastructure. Both sides also plan to deepen cooperation in information technology, tourism, and development.

Trade gap with nine states widens 34pc to $8.4bn

Pakistan’s trade deficit with nine neighbouring countries swelled 34.37 percent to $8.467 billion during the first nine months of FY25, up from $6.301 billion a year ago.

Due to recent regional political shifts, exports have surged to Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan’s trade with these nations has faced significant setbacks in recent years, attributed to the challenges posed by unfavourable government policies.

Despite this development, the trade gap with the regional countries widened mainly due to higher imports from China, India, and Bangladesh during the months under review.
In FY24, the trade deficit was $9.506bn, up 49% from $6.382bn in the preceding year.

Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka grew significantly from July to March FY25. However, according to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, exports to other countries, especially China, continued to decline during the period.

The value of Pakistan’s exports to nine countries — Afghanistan, China, Bang¬ladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives — rose 3.26pc to $3.420bn in July-March FY25 from $3.312bn over the same period last year.

Contrary to this, imports surged 23.65% to $11.887bn in 9MFY25 from $9.613bn over the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Further analysis showed that imports from China grew by 23.69pc to $11.582bn in 9MFY25 from $9.363bn over the same period last year. In FY24, imports from China stood at $13.506bn, up by 39.78% from $9.662bn over the previous year. The bulk of imports in the region are sourced from China, followed partially by India and Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s exports to China dipped 12.36% to $1.878bn in 9MFY25 from $2.143bn in the preceding fiscal year.

Iffat Omar declines to serve as Punjab’s cultural adviser

Former model and actor Iffat Omar has declined the Punjab government’s offer to appoint her as the cultural adviser to Information Minister Azma Bokhari.
“I’ve humbly declined the offer,” Omar said.

Her statement comes after several publications and Instagram pages reported that Omar was appointed as the cultural adviser and would work with the information ministry to design programmes to promote and preserve Punjab’s cultural heritage.

In 2022, Omar announced that she was leaving acting and decided to shift her attention to a different platform and focus on social media work instead.

“I have decided to quit showbiz because the work is so bad and I criticise it myself. To do the work yourself and then critique it as well doesn’t feel right,” she said.

The model did, however, say there are chances of her returning, though it would be conditional. “If ever in life I’m offered a really great script, I will think about it — otherwise I’m done,” she said.

Currently, she hosts a podcast on YouTube titled ‘Say It All With Iffat Omar’, in which she interviews experts from different fields.

Aramco, BYD unveil car tech alliance

Saudi Aramco and the Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD announced an agreement to collaborate on new-energy vehicle technologies.

The Saudi oil giant is already a partner with Renault of France and the Chinese automaker Geely in a joint venture to produce thermal engines.

Its subsidiary, Saudi Aramco Technologies Company, is now teaming up with the Chinese EV and hybrid vehicle giant, although the terms of the accord were not specified.

In a joint statement, the companies said the deal aimed to “foster the development of innovative technologies that enhance efficiency and environmental performance.”

Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest producer of oil, “is exploring a number of ways to potentially optimize transport efficiency, from innovative lower-carbon fuels to advanced powertrain concepts,” said Ali A. Al-Meshari, its senior vice president of Technology Oversight and Coordination.

Luo Hongbin, BYD senior vice president, said, “SATC and our cutting-edge R&D capabilities in new energy vehicles will break the boundaries of geography and mindset to incubate solutions that combine highly-efficient performance with a lower carbon footprint.” Saudi Arabia is working to diversify its economy, dependent on oil export revenue, and wants to set up 5,000 EV charging stations by 2030.

The Saudi sovereign wealth fund holds a 60 percent stake in Lucid, a California luxury EV maker. It has signed an agreement with Hyundai of South Korea to build an electric and thermal vehicle factory in Saudi Arabia.

28 trade officers picked for foreign postings

The government has appointed 28 Trade and Investment Officers (TIOs) to serve in foreign missions.

The TIOs will be posted after completing a pre-departure training session at the Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD) in Islamabad. The training aims to equip them with the skills they need to help reshape the country’s trade and investment diplomacy.

Commerce Minister Jam Kamal highlighted the “transformative vision” behind this fresh batch of TIOs, which were selected through a merit-based, transparent process involving all key stakeholders.

“Gone are the days when TIOs were perceived to be abroad for ceremonial duties or leisure. Now they are expected to perform, and their performance will be measured through established yardsticks,” he stated. The minister was speaking at the inauguration of the training programme at PITAD.

The minister urged officers to move beyond conventional methods. “You must brand Pakistan not just as a country, but also as a unique identity recognised through its exports _ our mangoes, basmati rice, and world-class soccer balls. Let the world know us through our excellence,” he said.

China says door for US trade talks ‘wide open’

China says it is willing to engage in trade talks with Washington, a day after US President Donald Trump signalled that the hefty tariffs he imposed on the country would be reduced after the sides reached a deal.

Since Trump began his second term in January, he has unleashed a tit-for-tat trade battle with Beijing that has seen US levies on many Chinese goods reach 145 percent.

These include duties initially imposed over China’s alleged role in the fentanyl supply chain and later over practices Washington deemed unfair.

Beijing has responded with sweeping counter-tariffs of 125% on US goods.

The fierce trade war between the world’s top two economies has rattled markets and raised fears of a global recession.

Trump acknowledged that US tariffs on China were currently “very high,” saying they would “come down substantially” after a deal is struck.

When asked about the remarks, Beijing repeated previous comments that tariffs and trade wars have “no winners.”

Klaus Schwab steps down as World Economic Forum chair

Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum, which gathers the world’s business and political elite in the Swiss mountain village of Davos every year, has resigned as chair of its board of trustees.

The Geneva-based institution had announced that Schwab, 87, would be stepping down, without indicating a timeframe.

“Following my recent announcement, and as I enter my 88th year, I have decided to step down from the position of Chair and as a member of the Board of Trustees, with immediate effect,” Schwab said. The WEF board said in the statement that it had accepted Schwab’s resignation at an extraordinary meeting held on April 20, and that Vice Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe would become the interim chairman. A committee to appoint a future chair has been established.

Schwab established the WEF in 1971 to create a forum for policymakers and top corporate executives to tackle major global issues.

Widely regarded as a cheerleader for globalisation, the WEF’s annual Davos gathering has, in recent years, drawn disapproval from critics who see it as elitist and detached from ordinary people.

HBL Celebrates a Decade of HBLPSL (2016-2025)

The most awaited sporting event of the year, HBLPSL, is back for its landmark season, HBLPSL X, celebrating a decade of HBLPSL. Kicked off on 11 April 2025 in Rawalpindi, the tournament will feature thrilling matches across four cities – Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. The final is set to take place on 18 May 2025 at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

HBL has sponsored the League since its inception in 2016, and in 2025, it completes its decade-long association. HBLPSL has played a transformative role in both cricket and nation-building. As the biggest sporting event in the country, HBLPSL has played a key role in reigniting the nation’s passion for cricket. It provides a platform for young cricketers to be a part of the international cricket circle and brings international cricketers to Pakistan.

Commenting on the significance of this milestone, Ali Habib, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer – HBL, said, “HBL is proud to have been the founding sponsors of this tournament, delighting tens of millions of Pakistanis in Pakistan and across the globe. This year, HBL is celebrating a decade of HBLPSL with the theme ‘Zabar10 Khel’. HBLPSL season ten proves that Pakistan possesses the passion, the commitment, and the skill to hold events of international standards.”
HBLPSL 2016-2025 Winners:

• HBLPSL 1 (2016)
Season Winner – Islamabad United
Player of the Tournament – Ravi Bopara (Karachi Kings)
• HBLPSL 2 (2017)
Season Winner – Peshawar Zalmi
Player of the Tournament – Kamran Akmal (Peshawar Zalmi)
• HBLPSL 3 (2018):
Season Winner – Islamabad United
Player of the Tournament – Luke Ronchi (Islamabad United)
• HBLPSL 4 (2019)
Season Winner – Quetta Gladiators
Player of the Tournament – Shane Watson (Quetta Gladiators)
• HBLPSL 5 (2020)
Season Winner – Karachi Kings
Player of the Tournament – Babar Azam (Karachi Kings)
• HBLPSL 6 (2021)
Season Winner – Multan Sultans
Player of the Tournament – Sohaib Maqsood (Multan Sultans)
• HBLPSL 7 (2022)
Season Winner – Lahore Qalandars
Player of the Tournament – Mohammad Rizwan (Multan Sultans)
• HBLPSL 8 (2023)
Season Winner – Lahore Qalandars
Player of the Tournament – Ihsanullah (Multan Sultans)
• HBLPSL 9 (2024)
Season Winner – Islamabad United
Player of the Tournament – Shadab Khan (Islamabad United).

Chairman OGDCL Discusses Plans for Organizing PMIF26

Chairman Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Zafar Masud, visited the company’s head office in Islamabad, where he met with Managing Director/CEO Ahmed Hayat Lak and the OGDCL team to congratulate them on the successful organization of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF25).

During the meeting, Chairman Zafar Masud lauded the efforts of the OGDCL team for organizing a world-class event that successfully showcased Pakistan’s mineral potential to the world. He said that PMIF25 had firmly positioned Pakistan as an emerging global hub for minerals and natural resources.

While appreciating the success of PMIF25, the Chairman discussed preparations for the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 (PMIF26). He emphasized the need to build on the momentum generated by PMIF25 and ensure that the next edition of the forum is even more impactful and inclusive. He called for early planning, international outreach, and innovative strategies to make PMIF26 a bigger success. While reviewing the initial planning for next year’s forum, he stressed that PMIF26 should be even more ambitious in scope and execution. The Chairman also discussed proposals for the date and venue of PMIF26.

Organized by OGDCL with the support of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Government of Pakistan, PMIF25 marked a significant step toward unlocking Pakistan’s vast mineral wealth.