Pakistani authorities to transport pilgrims to Mina tonight ahead of start of Hajj on Friday

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan expressed hope on Saturday the investment of Saudi fast-food chain Al Baik in Pakistan would help generate employment opportunities, as he met Saudi businessmen in Jeddah to explore ways to enhance bilateral trade.
Al Baik, a popular Saudi brand specializing in fried chicken, has a strong following among Pakistani travelers to the Kingdom. The company signed a memorandum of understanding last year to enter the Pakistani market, capitalizing on its existing popularity.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have witnessed a 22% increase in bilateral trade volume that currently stands at $700 million. Saudi Arabia also remains Pakistan’s largest source of remittances, with $7.4 billion sent by expatriate workers last year.
During the visit, the commerce minister met Al Baik’s owner, Rami Abu Ghazaleh, who confirmed the company’s decision to open outlets in Pakistan, indicating that the agreement had reached its final stages.
“Al Baik’s arrival in Pakistan will create employment opportunities,” Khan said, according to an official statement. “Pakistan offers a favorable business environment and invites Saudi investors to explore opportunities.”
Khan also highlighted the significant role played by Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia’s economy and discussed his country’s new policy of granting visa-free entry with a 90-day stay for the nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council countries, facilitating greater business and labor mobility between the two states.
Beyond Al Baik, the minister engaged with other Saudi business leaders as well who showed interest in investing in Pakistan’s energy, information technology, agriculture and construction sectors.
He also invited them to attend upcoming trade events in his country.
Pakistan has been working to strengthen business-to-business (B2B) ties with Saudi Arabia.
During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Riyadh last October, both sides signed 34 agreements worth $2.8 billion to enhance private sector collaboration and commercial partnerships. Pakistani officials have since been following up on the commitments made between the two sides.

ISLAMABAD: A 14-year-old Pakistani girl championing climate action was appointed on Friday by the United Nations humanitarian and developmental agency for children as Youth Advocate for Climate Action and Girls Empowerment in the country, making her express the resolve for “meaningful change.”
Zunaira Qayyum, who hails from Hub district in Balochistan, has previously collaborated with UNICEF. Her research on the impacts of climate change-induced floods on girls’ secondary education in her native district was among the winners of the UNICEF Policy Research Challenge in 2023.
She has since trained adolescents in her hometown on advocacy, policy engagement, research and network building.
“I am honored to join UNICEF Pakistan as a Youth Advocate to champion children’s rights and well-being,” Qayyum was quoted as saying in a statement shared by the UN agency. “Meaningful change starts with listening to the voices of children and youth and making sure we can participate in decisions that shape our future.”
UNICEF appoints Youth Advocates to amplify children’s voices on critical issues such as climate change, education and child rights. The initiative aims to empower young leaders to engage in policymaking and raise awareness on global platforms. Similar appointments have been made in other countries, with young activists working on issues from environmental justice to gender equality.
Pakistan is increasingly vulnerable to climate change, with floods, droughts and heatwaves disrupting the lives of millions, including children. The UNICEF statement said climate-induced hazards disrupted schooling for 26 million children in 2024 alone.
In Punjab, 16 million children were affected when severe air pollution forced school closures in November.
“The climate crisis poses one of the biggest challenges we have ever faced, but when I listen to Zunaira and the children of Pakistan, I find hope and inspiration for the future,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “We must do more to empower children and young people with opportunities to lead, act and help this country prosper.”
Qayyum, who has represented Pakistan’s youth at national and international forums, including COP29, was appointed at the Dawn Media Breathe Pakistan Climate Conference. The UN agency expressed hope her advocacy will encourage more young people to take an active role in addressing climate and education challenges.