PIA taps HSY for design of new cabin crew uniforms

It seems the sky is really the limit for fashion designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin (HSY), whose cabin crew uniform designs have been chosen as the new face of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from among a series of designs developed by Pakistan’s biggest fashion names.

The airline unveiled the new uniforms for its cabin crew, saying they will officially be in service from October 31 onwards, starting with PIA’s newly acquired Dreamliner’s inaugural flight from London to Islamabad.

A press release described the uniforms as “engineered for long-haul durability and ergonomic movement” with “soft, breathable fabrics and structured tailoring.

Book celebrating legacy of Hakim Said launched

A coffee-table book, A Legacy of Wisdom: Bait al-Hikmah, a City of Learning and Culture, celebrating the enduring legacy of Hakim Mohammed Said, was launched at a ceremony held at a local hotel in Karachi.

The book tells Hakim Said’s remarkable story without being grandiose. Featuring a carefully crafted narrative and striking photographs in a variety of formats and sizes, it traces the journey from the establishment of Hamdard Dawakhana in Delhi to the opening of Hamdard Matabs in Karachi, and from the founding of each of the seven faculties of Hamdard University at Madinat al-Hikmah to the establishment of an Eastern Medicine hospital and two schools in its vicinity.

Speaking as the chief guest, former federal minister and ex-senator Javed Jabbar said the book was a labour of love, just as Madinat al-Hikmah was an endeavour of love. “This is a feast, not an ordinary coffee-table book,” he said.

Also speaking at the ceremony were Hamdard Foundation President and Hamdard University Chancellor Sadia Rashid; incumbent Hamdard University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Imran Amin; former federal minister Prof. Dr Atta-ur-Rahman; former education secretary Mehtab Akbar Rashdi; former senior bureaucrat Shafiqur Rehman Paracha; former Vice Chancellor Hakim Abdul Hannan; and Dr Naveed-uz-Zafar of the Hamdard Group of Organisations.

Russia Offers to Help Ease Afghanistan-Pakistan Tensions

Russia has offered to help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, expressing hope for a peaceful resolution of disputes and the reopening of border crossings.

Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev made the remarks during an event on Pakistan-Russia relations at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). He expressed concern over rising tensions and their impact on regional security and civilian lives.

Khorev said Moscow was ready to help resolve differences between Islamabad and Kabul. He also highlighted the economic consequences of border closures, which have disrupted trade and connectivity with Central Asian countries and Russia.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, emphasized stronger cooperation with Moscow.

Letting roots of Pak-India Conflict fester invites more danger: Gen. Zubair

Failure to address the underlying disputes that give rise to crises between Pakistan and India could lead to more dangerous confrontations in the future, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee has warned.

“Terminating a crisis without addressing its root causes only sets the stage for the next, more dangerous conflict,” retired Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat said at the concluding session of the second Islamabad Non-Proliferation Conference, organised by the Strategic Vision Institute (SVI).

He said that in the subcontinent, the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir could not be wished away or reduced to an administrative matter. “Similarly, water cannot be converted from a shared necessity into an instrument of power and pressure,” he said, stressing the need to resolve the Kashmir dispute and restore the Indus Waters Treaty.

First Pakistani astronaut to undertake space mission

Pakistan’s first astronaut will undertake a space mission from a Chinese space centre on November 25, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said.

The minister made the announcement while addressing the concluding ceremony of World Space Week in Narowal, held in collaboration with the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco).

The planning minister also said the country was aiming to achieve a lunar landing by 2035, expressing hope that Pakistan’s cooperation with China would help it “reach new heights in space exploration”.

In his address at the ceremony, the planning minister highlighted the importance of space technology in agriculture, communications, climate monitoring, education and national security.

Iqbal stressed that scientific research and space exploration were essential for technological advancement, the ministry’s statement said.
The astronaut will be one of two pilots, Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud, whom China selected in April this year as candidates for its manned space programme and who have been undergoing intensive training in Beijing.

World Bank to support Pakistani start-ups

The World Bank will help Pakistan mobilise private investment and broaden access to risk capital for innovative, high-growth firms.

The Pakistan Entrepreneurship and Private Investment Catalyst Project, expected to be approved by the World Bank Executive Board in early 2027, will help the government establish and capitalise a $50 million Fund of Funds (FoF) to catalyse Pakistan’s nascent innovation and venture capital ecosystem.

The FoF will invest in professionally managed venture capital funds, helping expand the supply of early-stage and growth capital for innovative, high-growth firms.

By crowding in domestic and international private investors, the operation will address a long-standing market gap in innovation financing and strengthen the foundation of the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Morocco Appoints Its First Female Prime Minister

Morocco has made history by appointing Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as its first female prime minister, marking a significant milestone for women’s political representation in the North African kingdom. King Mohammed VI appointed El Mansouri on September 29, 2026, following her Authenticity and Modernity Party’s (PAM) victory in the parliamentary elections. The party secured 97 seats in the 395-member House of Representatives.

A lawyer by profession, El Mansouri previously served as mayor of Marrakech and as minister responsible for urban planning and housing. She is now leading a coalition government tasked with addressing Morocco’s economic and social challenges. Her administration has identified job creation, inflation control, improved public services, and stronger social protection as key priorities. The government also aims to promote economic growth while addressing public concerns about unemployment, education, and healthcare.

Her appointment represents a historic breakthrough in Moroccan politics and places women’s leadership in the national spotlight.

BOP Leads PKR 17 Billion Islamic Financing for Novacare Hospital

The Bank of Punjab (BOP) marked the financial close of a PKR 17 billion Syndicated Islamic Project Finance Facility for Novacare Hospitals (Private) Limited at a signing ceremony bringing together the project’s sponsors, management and participating financial institutions.

The facility will support the development of a 250-bed tertiary care hospital and a feeder clinic in Islamabad. Novacare Hospitals (Private) Limited is Pakistan’s first and only hospital to be affiliated with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. With sponsors contributing PKR 11.5 billion in equity, the total project cost is approximately PKR 28.5 billion.

The transaction represents Pakistan’s first greenfield hospital financed under a Syndicated Islamic Project Finance Facility, establishing a precedent for mobilising long-term financing for healthcare infrastructure.

BOP arranged and structured the facility as Intercreditor Agent and acted as Joint Mandated Lead Advisor & Arranger alongside United Bank Limited and Habib Bank Limited, with Pak China Investment Company Limited as Co-Arranger, PAIR Investment Company Limited and Pak Libya Holding Company Limited participated as syndicate financiers. BOP’s PKR 5.8 billion financing commitment reflects its confidence in the project and its importance to Pakistan’s healthcare sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Zafar Masud, President & CEO of The Bank of Punjab, said: “Healthcare touches every one of us. At some point, we have needed care for ourselves or someone we love, and we understand the difference that a good hospital and a skilled doctor can make. That is why Novacare has always meant more to us than a financing transaction. It is an investment in the care, dignity and wellbeing of the people this hospital will serve.”

The transaction underscores BOP’s commitment to financing projects that strengthen essential infrastructure and deliver lasting economic and social benefits.

Maldives President Visits Pakistan to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad for a three-day official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit marked the first time a Maldivian president has visited Pakistan in 11 years and coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

During his stay, President Muizzu met President Asif Ali Zardari, who hosted a state banquet in his honour, and held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education, health, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security and climate change. The leaders were also expected to exchange views on regional and international developments.

A Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum was planned to encourage business-to-business engagement and explore investment opportunities. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering diverse areas of cooperation were also expected to be signed during the visit.

Prof. Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz Honoured by ASGE

Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz, a distinguished medical professional and member of the Professional Education Foundation (PEF) Board, has been honoured by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) in recognition of his valuable contributions to gastrointestinal endoscopy.

In an official statement, the Professional Education Foundation (PEF) expressed pride in its association with Prof. Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz and welcomed this prestigious recognition of his professional excellence and dedication to advancing medical practice.

The honour reflects his commitment to the medical profession and his contributions to healthcare. His achievement underscores the importance of expertise, dedication, and continuous professional development in advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care.

PEF extended its heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz on this well-deserved recognition. His accomplishment serves as an inspiration to medical professionals, students, and aspiring leaders, demonstrating the value of commitment and excellence in one’s field.

Christiane Amanpour to Leave CNN After 43 Years

Veteran journalist Christiane Amanpour has decided to leave CNN after a 43-year career with the US broadcaster, during which she became one of its most prominent international correspondents.

“After thinking carefully for several months and experiencing a few sleepless nights, as you can imagine, I’ve decided to separate from CNN,” Amanpour, 68, said in a statement.

Her announcement came weeks after Paramount Skydance formally took over Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent company, raising questions about the broadcaster’s future direction under its new ownership.

Amanpour is widely recognised for her international reporting and coverage of major global conflicts.

China pulls out of port project in Sri Lanka

A Chinese state-owned firm has withdrawn from a $392 million joint venture to develop a major logistics hub at Sri Lanka’s main seaport. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said China Merchants Port Holdings had decided not to proceed with the collaboration announced in 2023, but the project would continue.

“Following an assessment of the prevailing external circumstances, commercial considerations and the interests of the respective shareholders, a decision was reached not to proceed with the proposed joint venture,” the SLPA said.

China Merchants would hold 70 per cent of the proposed joint venture, while the SLPA and a Sri Lankan private construction company would each hold 15 per cent. The SLPA said it was now seeking a new investor for the 150,000-square-metre logistics hub at Colombo Port, where China already has other investments.

The Chinese company said in a statement to Hong Kong’s stock exchange that “terminating the project would be in the best interests of the parties”. China Merchants’ stake, agreed in April 2023, was the first major foreign investment announced after Sri Lanka’s economy collapsed in April 2022. Within Colombo Port, China Merchants already operates a $500m deep-water container terminal.

The company also manages the deep-water port complex at Hambantota, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. That port in Hambantota was widely regarded as one of the white-elephant projects launched by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who ruled the country for a decade until 2015.

Book pays tribute to Syed Babar Ali’s century of contributions

The book Syed Babar Ali, A Centennial Tribute, authored by Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, was launched at an event organised by the Corporate Pakistan Group Adabi Committee and the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.

Speakers paid tribute to the 100-year-old entrepreneur, industrialist, educationist, environmentalist and philanthropist, highlighting his contributions to Pakistan’s development, particularly in education.

Arts Council President Ahmed Shah described institution builders as the country’s real heroes, while Pakistan Banks Association CEO Muneer Kamal praised Ali’s role in establishing the Lahore University of Management Sciences, Syedanwala School System and Ali Institute of Education.

Former State Bank governor Dr Ishrat Husain lauded Ali’s support for educational institutions, including IBA, despite its competition with LUMS. Other speakers highlighted his humility, integrity, commitment to philanthropy and love for nature, art and literature. Ahsan said the book grew from an initial idea for a brochure celebrating Ali’s 100th birthday.

Bestway launches Geely Auto in Pakistan

Bestway Group launched Chinese automaker Geely Auto in Pakistan, acquiring the Proton plant at Port Qasim, Karachi, for assembly.

Bestway Automotive, Geely’s sole authorised distributor, will handle sales and after-sales service.

The Group Managing Director, Irfan Sheikh, said the company would focus on localisation and build a charging network to support its long-term presence.

The launch includes three models: the EX2 compact electric hatchback, the EX5 electric SUV, and the Starray EM-i with range-extended EV technology.

Bestway said it has invested over $350 million in Pakistan and created 20,000 jobs in the last three years.

Geely Auto Inter­national Corporation Vice President Evin Ye said Pakistan was Geely’s first market in South Asia, adding that it was the only automaker with a low-orbit satellite network.

Nepal and the World Bank Group Announce Partnership

Nepal and the World Bank signed a mandate agreement to explore developing a catastrophe bond to help Nepal access funds quickly after a major earthquake.

The agreement marks the beginning of a collaboration to assess how capital markets can support Nepal’s broader disaster risk management strategy. As one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, Nepal is working to better prepare for, withstand, and recover from future natural disasters through a combination of risk reduction, preparedness, and financial protection measures.

Under the agreement, the World Bank Group Treasury will work with the Government of Nepal and market participants to assess the feasibility and potential structure of such a transaction.

This initiative is part of the World Bank Group’s established catastrophe bond program, which has helped countries access international capital markets to transfer disaster risk and secure financial protection against natural hazards.

Actor Imran Khan told to leave India

Indian authorities have asked Indian film actor Imran Khan to leave the country by the end of the month, saying he breached immigration laws after joining a protest against the election commission chief.

Khan, 43, is a US citizen, the Indian Express newspaper reported. Under Indian law, foreigners’ participation in political protests may be treated as a violation of immigration and visa rules.

A nephew of actor Aamir Khan and hailing from an illustrious film family, Imran Khan was given until Oct 28 to leave the country, the Times of India newspaper said.

The actor participated in a rally in Mumbai on Oct 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over voter list revisions that critics and opposition parties say favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party.

“Apparently I’m going for a drive,” the actor wrote on his Instagram page on the same day, with a picture of him posing with a victory sign in the back of what looked like a police van.

‘Cockroach’ party leaders’ detention extended

A New Delhi magistrate extended the detention of two leaders of India’s youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement by two days after remanding them in custody five days ago.

Activists and opposition parties have defied a security crackdown to demand the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner, accusing the poll body of manipulating voter rolls to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party. The commission has denied any wrongdoing.

Television footage showed CJP leaders Ashutosh Ranka, 30, and Saurav Das, 27, being taken away in a blue police van from a police station where the hearing took place.

“This is an absolute mockery of the justice system,” the movement’s legal affairs head Ratna Singh told reporters.

Das and Ranka were taken into custody on October 14.