Afghan envoy, UN official discuss refugee deportation mechanism amid expulsions from Pakistan

KARACHI: Shabana Jilani, a police officer in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, emerged as an unlikely Internet star this month amid a media flurry surrounding American woman Onijah Robinson’s months-long stay in Pakistan.
Jilani’s composure and professional yet empathetic interactions with Robinson, who was abandoned by a Pakistani man she befriended online, were captured in viral TikTok videos, highlighting not only her dedication to duty but also the human side of Pakistani law enforcement.
The 33-year-old New Yorker arrived in Pakistan in October last year, hoping to marry her 19-year-old paramour, though their relationship took a dramatic turn when her intended partner abandoned her following family objections.
Left stranded, Robinson spent nearly 30 hours outside the man’s home before being taken to a shelter and later admitted to the psychiatric ward of a local medical facility.
As law enforcers were on their way to take her to the hospital, Jilani received a call from a superior officer asking her to provide security for Robinson. What followed was the making of an unexpected bond between the police officer and Robinson, marked by brief conversations and heartfelt moments that captured the Internet’s attention.
“My first meeting with Madam Onjiah took place at Jinnah Hospital, when she was being admitted,” Jilani told Arab News at her police station in Karachi. “I had a conversation with her there and it was a good experience. We spoke in a good manner.”
She said she was fulfilling her professional responsibility during her interaction with the American woman, though videos of their exchange revealed how they developed a human connection. While Jilani ensured Robinson’s safety, it was her caring attitude — helping the American loosely drape a shawl over her shoulders — that was admired by netizens.
Jilani said that while ensuring the visiting woman’s safety was her job, it was also her moral responsibility to be empathetic toward her.
“We spoke to her with love, respect and kindness, and in return, we received the same,” the police officer said.
Jilani’s husband, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ali Asghar Dahiri, lost his life in an encounter with militants in Karachi’s Landhi area in 2008, but she has continued to serve in the police force despite this personal tragedy and has dedicated about two decades of her life to policing in Karachi.
“When we joined the police department, we were given training that taught us how to face tough situations so that we could handle every challenge and difficulty,” she said.
But her interactions with ordinary people, including Robinson, reveal a softer side of the field-hardened policewoman.
And the online reaction to her videos has been overwhelming.
“I am grateful to everyone for this,” she said. “We fulfilled our professional duty while also showing respect and kindness.”
Jilani expressed her satisfaction with the videos, which have conveyed a positive message about Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies.
“They [social media users abroad] have also seen that Pakistan, its female police officers, and all our law enforcement agencies are doing a great job,” she said.
“So, a positive message has been conveyed to the world, one that highlights good behavior, strong ethics, respect and love.”
But above all, Jilani says, her interactions with Robinson were among the most memorable for her, recalling how she accompanied the American visitor to the airport for her departure on Feb. 7 after spending more than three months in Pakistan.
“She said to me, ‘I miss you so much, Shabana,’” Jilani recalled. “Good memories, good times, and beautiful moments. Just as she remembers them, so do I.”

ISLAMABAD: Millions of cricket fans will be watching from home today, Sunday, as Pakistan take on India in a must-win clash in Dubai in what is expected to be a blockbuster ICC Champions Trophy 2025 cricket match. 

A sell-out crowd in Dubai will witness the iconic clash between the two arch-rivals, who enjoy one of the fiercest sports rivalries of all time when they face off against each other in the eight-nation tournament. 

India and Pakistan only meet in multi-nation events because of political tensions. The match is taking place in Dubai after India refused to travel to tournament hosts Pakistan.

“It’s Super Sunday at the #ChampionsTrophy as Pakistan takes on India,” the International Cricket Council wrote on its Instagram. “Who’s winning this blockbuster match?”

Sunday’s clash is crucial for Pakistan as skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s side suffered a 60-run defeat at New Zealand’s hands in the opening game of the competition in Karachi on Wednesday. 

Pakistan need to beat favorites India to stay in the hunt for a semifinal spot in the tournament. 

An early exit from the tournament would take some gloss off it as Pakistan are hosting their first major ICC tournament in nearly 30 years. 

New Zealand top Group A ahead of India, who beat Bangladesh on Thursday by six wickets, on a better run-rate. Pakistan are fourth and bottom of the group. The top two teams from each of the two groups make the semifinals.

Pakistan white-ball coach Aqib Javed remained optimistic of Pakistan’s chances ahead of the encounter. 

“After losing a game there is another good chance for you to win and win the third one and make it to the semis,” Javed told reporters on Saturday.

“Between India and Pakistan it doesn’t matter, it’s a knockout or whatever. It’s beyond a game and that’s the beauty of India-Pakistan cricket.”

Pakistan suffered a big blow on Wednesday when top batsman Fakhar Zaman suffered a muscle injury. He has been ruled out of the tournament, but Aaqib said they will still field a “good, strong team.”

Left-handed Imam-ul-Haq has come in as a replacement for a team that hammered India in the final of the previous Champions Trophy in 2017.

That was India’s last defeat to Pakistan in an ODI match and Rohit Sharma’s men have since won five of the last six games against their greatest rivals, with one rained off.

They last met in a one-day game at the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad, with hosts India winning by seven wickets.

Despite India heading into the match as favorites, vice-captain Shubman Gill warned his side against complacency on Saturday. 

“Definitely we have been playing some good ODI cricket and Pakistan unfortunately have lost some of the matches that they have played recently but by no means are we going to take them as a lesser side,” Gill told reporters. 

The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00pm Pakistan Standard Time. 

India squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.

Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi