Pakistan’s first woman lieutenant general appointed ‘brand ambassador’ by chamber of commerce
Pakistan’s first woman lieutenant general appointed ‘brand ambassador’ by chamber of commerce/node/2597096/pakistan
Pakistan’s first woman lieutenant general appointed ‘brand ambassador’ by chamber of commerce
In this file photo, taken on January 13, 2022, Pakistan Army’s Lt. Gen. (retired) Nigar Johar Khan speaks during an interview with Arab News in Islamabad. (AN Photo/File)
ISLAMABAD: Lt. Gen. (retired) Nigar Johar Khan, the first woman lieutenant general of the Pakistan Army, has been appointed as a brand ambassador for women’s empowerment by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), state media reported on Tuesday.
Johar, also a former colonel commandant of the Army Medical Corps, was the first-ever three-star woman general in the Pakistan Army to lead a corps. Originally from Swabi, a conservative region in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, she joined the Army Medical College in 1981 and graduated in 1985.
“In a historic move for gender equality and women’s leadership, the RCCI has appointed Lt Gen (retd) Nigar Johar Khan as its official brand ambassador for women empowerment and women initiatives,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported following an event titled “SHE Leads — A Tribute to Women.”
RCCI President Usman Shaukat praised Johar’s “courage and dedication in breaking barriers.”
“She has redefined what is possible for women in Pakistan and stands as a beacon of hope and aspiration,” APP quoted him as saying.
On the occasion, Johar commended RCCI’s “proactive stance” on gender equality and emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity.
“Creating spaces for women to lead, grow, and shape the future is essential,” state media quoted the retired general as saying.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cricket chief and interior minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday the national women’s team would not travel to India for the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, reiterating Islamabad’s position that matches involving Pakistan should be held at a neutral venue under a hybrid model.
Naqvi’s remarks came shortly after Pakistan concluded their ICC World Cup Qualifier campaign unbeaten, sealing their spot in the tournament with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Lahore.
“It is up to India to decide where the matches will be held since they are the hosts,” he told reporters at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. “Our team is ready to play wherever, but it will not travel to India.”
The hybrid model was implemented earlier this year during the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan, allowing India to play their matches at neutral venues.
During the event, India played their matches in Dubai, citing security concerns, while other participating teams traveled to Pakistan.
The arrangement also drew criticism from several teams, who felt disadvantaged by India’s familiarity with the playing conditions in Dubai.
Pakistan women’s team have delivered a stellar performance in the World Cup Qualifiers, winning all five of their matches.
The 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be held from September 29 to October 26. With Pakistan’s qualification, the ICC will need to determine a neutral venue for their matches, adhering to the agreed-upon hybrid model.
QUETTA: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in southwestern Balochistan killed five suspected militants in an intelligence-based operation in the Duki district of the province on Saturday, confirmed one of its officials, as the region continues to witness a spike in separatist violence.
The raid was conducted by CTD Balochistan with support from other law enforcement agencies in the Dhabar area of Duki. According to the CTD official, the slain militants were affiliated with the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group that has frequently targeted security forces and state infrastructure in the province.
“The latest action against militants was carried out on an intelligence basis, and the bodies of the militants were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital Duki,” the CTD official said on condition of anonymity while confirming the number of the dead militants.
The BLA was designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 2019 and has long led a separatist insurgency in the resource-rich region.
Militants affiliated with the group have also attacked Chinese nationals and projects linked to the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Following the raid, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti praised the CTD action, pointing out that the state would continue to confront militancy with full force.
“Every conspiracy to destabilize Balochistan will be foiled,” he said in a statement issued by his office, adding that any facilitators of such armed separatist groups would also be brought to justice.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind described the operation as part of the ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in the province.
Balochistan has seen a spike in separatist violence in recent years. Last month, BLA militants hijacked a passenger train in the Bolan district, holding hundreds of passengers hostage for about 36 hours.
Duki, the area where the CTD operation took place, has also been prone to violence. In October last year, at least 21 miners were killed in an attack in the area, where gunmen used rocket launchers and grenades to storm coal mine facilities. Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir vowed this week to defeat separatist groups in Balochistan, saying such elements would never succeed in their efforts to disintegrate the country.
Separatist militants accuse the government and military of exploiting Balochistan’s natural resources, but the authorities maintain the Pakistani state has been investing in infrastructure and development to bring stability and growth to the province.
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will begin weekly direct flights from Lahore to Baku on Sunday, the national carrier said, marking its latest step to expand travel links amid Islamabad’s push for deeper connectivity with Central Asian states.
The move comes as Pakistan strengthens diplomatic and trade ties with Azerbaijan, a key partner in its broader regional outreach. The new route is expected to boost tourism, business travel and cultural exchange between the two countries.
“PIA will start weekly flights from Lahore to Baku from Sunday, April 20,” the airline said in a statement on Saturday. “The first flight to Baku will depart tomorrow morning, carrying 174 passengers.”
The announcement was made at a roadshow organized in Lahore ahead of the launch, attended by travel agents, tour operators and tourism industry stakeholders.
PIA officials briefed participants on the airline’s expansion plans and encouraged greater collaboration to promote regional travel and tourism.
“Baku is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, known for its beautiful cityscape, culinary scene and rich religious and cultural heritage,” the official PIA statement continued, adding that Lahore would see more international destinations added in the near future.
The new flight service is seen as part of Pakistan’s ongoing quest to improve air connectivity with countries in Central Asia, where it has been seeking to expand trade and diplomatic engagement in recent years.
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday announced a joint understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan not to allow their soil to be used against each other while addressing a news conference toward the end of his day-long visit to Kabul.
Dar’s visit to the neighboring country came amid surging militancy in Pakistan, which Islamabad blames on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant factions. Pakistan has frequently accused the Afghan Taliban in the past of providing these armed groups sanctuaries and facilitating their cross-border attacks, allegations that Kabul has repeatedly denied.
The deputy prime minister’s visit to Kabul also took place at a time when Pakistan has intensified its campaign to deport “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, which it blames for being involved in suicide attacks and militancy in the country.
The deportation drive has further soured ties between the two nations, prompting the Afghan authorities to express “deep concern” their forced repatriation during Dar’s trip to Kabul.
“We have requested our hosts that we must work together for the development of this region, for its betterment and for establishing peace and stability here,” the deputy prime minister said while addressing the news conference. “For that, we will not allow our land or our soil to be used by anyone for any wrongful activity inside Afghanistan, and we kindly request you to do the same.”
“Both countries must strictly deal with such elements,” he continued. “Neither side should allow its territory to be used for any activity against the other, whether it concerns security or terrorism.”
Dar added in case of any militant violence, both countries “will be responsible to take firm action against such elements within our respective countries and stop them.”
The deputy prime minister also announced a number of measures aimed at facilitating Afghan transit trade, saying they would be implemented by June 30. “Exchange of trade delegations between the two countries is also vital at this stage to increase bilateral trade and ensure mutual prosperity,” he said.
Addressing Afghan concerns over the deportation, he noted Pakistan was trying to ensure that those being sent back were treated with “respect and dignity.”
He said the interior ministry would issue a notification within 48 hours providing phone numbers, WhatsApp contacts and an email address to register any complaints from Afghan nationals returning to their country.
Denying any instructions to block the sale of property by Afghans, he said that those returning to Afghanistan were also allowed to take their personal belongings back with them.
Earlier in the day, before departing for Kabul, Dar acknowledged recent “coldness” in bilateral ties but said security remained a priority.
“I believe the security of Pakistan, its people, their lives and properties, is very important,” he told state-run Pakistan Television. “So one of our concerns is regarding terrorism, which we will discuss.”
During the visit, he met with senior Afghan officials, including acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the discussions focused on security, trade, transit and regional connectivity, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to maintaining high-level engagement and enhancing people-to-people contact.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday met Afghanistan’s acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund during a day-long visit to Kabul, where the two sides discussed militancy, regional security, trade and efforts to boost bilateral cooperation.
His visit takes place amid surging militancy in Pakistan, which Islamabad blames on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant outfit. Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing them sanctuaries, allegations that Kabul has repeatedly denied.
Dar’s visit to Kabul also takes place as Pakistan intensifies its campaign to deport “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, which it has blamed without evidence for being involved in suicide attacks and militancy in the country.
Pakistan’s deportation drive has further soured ties between the two nations.
“Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar ... called on the acting Afghan Prime Minister, Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a brief statement.
This handout photograph taken on April 19, 2025 and released by the Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows the country’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar (9L) speaks during a meeting with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (8R) and other Taliban government officials in Kabul. Dar arrived in Afghanistan on April 19 for a one-day visit to meet senior Afghan Taliban officials, including Prime Minister Hasan Akhund, after Pakistan expelled more than 85,000 Afghans in just over two weeks. (Photo courtesy: Handout/MOFA)
“Both sides exchanged views on key issues of mutual interest, including security, trade and transit cooperation, and explored ways to enhance people-to-people contacts,” it added.
The foreign office informed the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement and agreed to maintain high-level exchanges to further strengthen relations between the two “brotherly countries.”
Dar arrived in Kabul earlier on Saturday to hold talks with Afghan leaders amid increasingly tense ties between the neighbors.
This handout photograph taken on April 19, 2025 and released by the Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows the country’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar (4R) shaking hands with Afghan government officials upon his arrival in Kabul. (Photo courtesy: Handout/MOFA)
Before departing for Kabul, Dar acknowledged recent “coldness” in ties between the two nations but said security remained a priority.
“I believe the security of Pakistan, its people, their lives and properties, is very important,” he told state-run Pakistan Television. “So one of our concerns is regarding terrorism, which we will discuss.”
Dar said Pakistan saw immense potential for trade and investment with Afghanistan and stressed the importance of regional connectivity.
“Our connection with Central Asian states can be established through rail links but that’s not possible unless Afghanistan becomes a partner in this,” he added.
Dar also met Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi upon his arrival in Kabul to discuss security, border management and economic cooperation.
“Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relations and agreed on the importance of maintaining high-level engagement,” the foreign office said after that meeting.
Dar’s trip is seen as part of Islamabad’s efforts to re-engage with the Afghan Taliban government despite ongoing tensions and to address its concerns over a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan.
A statement issued by the Afghan government said the Taliban foreign minister voiced “deep concern” over Pakistan’s deportation drive, urging Islamabad to “prevent the suppression of the rights of Afghans.”
