Pakistani News for the Rest of Us

The proof is in the numbers. Last year the country’s GDP growth rate hit 8.4 percent, the world’s second highest behind China, following two years of solid 6 percent growth. It’s a heady turnaround for a nation that, in the late 1990s, was practically a failed state with near-zero GDP growth. Because of its headlong …

He is a British citizen of Pakistani descent and a practicing Muslim. At 11, he was a boxing prodigy. By his teens, he was the best young amateur boxer in the United Kingdom. Amir Khan is a slender 19-year-old with smooth skin the color of café con leche. His handshake is weak, his long, delicate …

Moody’s raised its outlook on Pakistan’s sovereign B2 foreign currency debt rating, which is five rungs below investment grade and the same as Indonesia’s, from “stable.” Pakistan’s $100 billion economy is forecast to expand 7 percent in the year to June 30 after growing 8.4 percent in the previous 12 months, the fastest pace in …

Ihsan Khan, 47, is not like any other government official in this country. He is a former Northern Illinois University student, a one-time cab driver in Washington, D.C., and a citizen of both the United States and Pakistan. He is also a multimillion-dollar Powerball winner who was elected mayor of his hometown district in Pakistan …

In Pakistan, the rally would pass through Murree, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Khyber Pass, Jehlum, Rohtas Fort and Lahore. The participants will enter India through Wagah border on March 21. The rally would culminate at Kolkata (India) on April 11 after passing through historical landmarks of Pakistan and Nepal. At least 36 cars have arrived from the …

Visa Facilitation Desks have opened at Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar airports. To obtain a visa valid for up to 30 days, business visitors have to show either a letter from their national Chamber of Commerce, an invitation letter from a business organization recommended by the appropriate trade organisation in Pakistan or a letter …

The collection of papers includes original theories of ‘New Relativity’ and ‘Rotational Theory of Light’ presented by Sir Sulaiman in British India. An exhibition of the research papers of Sir Shah Muhammad Sulaiman will start on Monday at the National Museum to commemorate the 65th death anniversary of the great Muslim scientist. Sir Shah …

Time has come to mark your name on a rock in the “other Himalaya” where the first edition of the Karakoram expedition list is up: 30 expeditions are lined up already for the Pakistan peaks and new ones are listed almost by each day. The great earthquake didn’t scare climbers off from Pakistan and that’s …

With these investments, Pakistan is also going to build Islamabad International Airport and two hydraulic power plants at Bunji and Nilam-Jhelum, Ghuman told local press recently. Pakistan has attracted US$1.6 billion in foreign investments during the first 7 months of this fiscal year, starting last July. It is expected to attract furthermore US$1.4 billion in …

Pakistan is rejoicing over the increasing home remittances sent by its workers abroad which are setting new records now. In the first seven months of the current financial year, remittances of 3-4 million overseas Pakistanis have reached $2.4 billion. These are likely to cross the $4 billion by the end of June. Pakistan is the …

Sources in the fashion industry said the International Fashion Awards 2005 which saw model Mehreen Syed being declared the first Ms Pakistan, Sara Salman’s fashion shows and several other such shows had brought about positive changes in the city’s fashion scene. It appears as if ‘Bridal Waves’, a fashion gala which was held last …

The mountain guides are indispensable for reaching areas that aid workers cannot access. Road assessments by the mountain guides show that many roads are still blocked by landslides and rockfalls, or are too dangerous to negotiate. The guides say that the situation will only worsen with the onset of the rainy season.The fabled Hunza …

Manghopir receives many visitors from far away. They come to bathe in a hall where they are charged Rs 3 and Rs 5 for children and adults, respectively. Hot- and cold-water springs run side by side at Manghopir, whose waters are known for their healing properties, particularly for skin diseases. Another attraction are the …

Jammu, less than 50 km from the Pakistani border, receives clear signals of Radio Burrak 104, Awaz 105 and Awaz 106. The Pakistani radios provide a wide range of programmes from Sufi music to pop and from fashion tips to guides on staying healthy. These radio stations also touch upon household and societal issues that …