KARACHI: More than a dozen decrepit dogs splash into the Arabian Sea as the small wooden boat approaches. They know the fishermen’s mission: bringing food and water for the canine population of one of Karachi’s “dog islands.”
The boat, powered by an old jeep engine, stops when the water is still waist-high, two fishermen jumping from it to wade ashore the low, barren, waste-covered beach, whose only inhabitants are barking their welcome.
The island, known as Dingy or Buddo, is one of dozens populated by dogs that line the shore south of the sprawling port megacity.
Conservative figures estimate the feral dog population of Karachi could number up to 35,000.
With animal rights at their nadir and religious sentiment in the Muslim country partly to blame for a prejudice against dogs, the figures spark a brutal culling each year that sees bodies pile up in the streets, rotting in the sweltering heat as they wait to be bulldozed away.
The islands, despite their lack of food and fresh water, have become a sanctuary, an alternative where estimates suggest hundreds of dogs avoid the cull.
But their survival depends almost entirely on the supplies brought to them by Karachi’s fishermen as they trawl the coast.
“We see them standing at the shore of the island in hope of food from us. So we feel their silent call,” says Abdul Aziz, a 30-year-old fisherman, after feeding the dogs on Dingy Island some pancakes and water left over from their own supplies.
It is not known for sure who first brought dogs to the islands, but fishermen believe they were transported by villagers along the coastal areas seeking to save them from the cull.
Sometimes they scavenge dead fish that float ashore, or smaller animals on the outcrops. In desperation, they have been known to turn on each other for survival, the fishermen say.
With no fresh water source, compelled by thirst, they have also been known to drink the brackish water that forms in pools along the island shores, underscoring the urgency of the fishermen’s mission.
On Dingy Island, the dogs leap around Aziz and his colleague Mohammad Dada, standing on their hind legs and pawing at the pair in the scramble for food and water.
Puppies are overrun by the larger dogs. But the kind fishermen make sure even the smallest get a share.
“A human being is nothing without humanity,” Aziz says, looking at the island, where plastic bags and a syringe lie among the hungry creatures.
“When we feel the pinch of hunger and thirst, they also must be feeling it.”
Isle of dogs: Pakistan fishermen feed islands full of strays
Isle of dogs: Pakistan fishermen feed islands full of strays
Pakistani journalist Farhan Mallick arrested by Federal Investigation Agency— family
- Mallick is the founder and chief executive officer of Pakistani online news media platform “Raftar“
- FIA official says Mallick ran programs against Pakistan’s “security establishment,” says local media report
Islamabad: Pakistani journalist Farhan Mallick, the founder and chief executive officer of prominent online news media platform “Raftar,” was arrested by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials on Thursday without providing any justification, his son wrote on social media platform X.
The former news director of Pakistani TV channel Samaa, Mallick heads Raftar which describes itself as a “dynamic platform dedicated to driving social change through the power of storytelling” on its social media platforms. Raftar, which has over 749,000 subscribers on YouTube, has released documentaries and videos critical of the Pakistani government and powerful military’s policies.
A message posted from Mallick’s account on social media platform X by his son said FIA officials “barged” into his office on Wednesday night. The statement said the FIA officials verbally summoned him to their office on Thursday.
“Like any law-abiding citizen, he went— only to be made to wait for hours without cause,” the statement said. “Then, at 6 PM, they arrested him. No explanation. No justification. Nothing.”
Pakistani English language newspaper Dawn quoted FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Center Additional Director Shahzad Haider as saying that an inquiry was initiated against Mallick around three months ago.
According to Dawn, the official said Mallick had run “several programs against the security establishment,” adding the Raftar founder was arrested on Thursday after the inquiry against him was formally completed.
In a statement, Raftar confirmed Mallick had been arrested but said they were not informed why. The platform said it was deeply concerned about the “blatant intimidation of independent journalism” in Pakistan.
“We demand immediate clarity on Mr. Mallick’s arrest and call for the protection of journalists and media professionals from unjust harassment,” it said.
Successive governments in Pakistan have enacted different laws and introduced amendments in existing laws to enhance their control over social media content and discourage dissent by filing cases against journalists and activists for violating the laws. The government says it has enacted these laws to ensure data protection, privacy and to ensure people’s safety on social media.
In recent years, journalists in Pakistan have complained of increasing government and military censorship, intimidation and harassment as well as digital abuse. Authorities deny they persecute journalists. Last year was a dangerous one for the press in Pakistan, with at least six journalists killed in direct or suspected relation to their work, the CPJ said in October 2024.
A recent report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) ranked Pakistan as the 12th-worst country for press freedom in South Asia. According to the CPJ, 103 journalists and media workers have been killed in Pakistan between 1992 and 2024.
Pakistan and UK discuss security cooperation, adopting joint strategy against ‘terrorism’
- Pakistan PM’s adviser Rana Sanaullah meets British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, says state media
- Both discuss reinforcing intelligence sharing and operational cooperation in counter terrorism efforts
ISLAMABAD: Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, met British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on Thursday to discuss enhancing security cooperation between the two countries and adopting a joint strategy against “terrorism,” state-run media reported.
Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long-standing relationship built on strong diplomatic, economic and security ties. Over the years, the militaries of both countries have maintained robust cooperation, particularly in the fields of counterterrorism and professional training.
The meeting between the two officials took place amid Pakistan’s struggle to contain surging militancy, particularly in its southwestern Balochistan province, where separatist militants last week hijacked a train and held hundreds hostage before the army launched a rescue operation. The military said it killed all 33 militants while 31 Pakistani soldiers, staff and civilians were killed.
“The discussion also focused on adopting a joint strategy against terrorism, increasing security cooperation, and taking collaborative measures to ensure regional peace and stability,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported about the meeting between Sanaullah and Marriott.
“Both dignitaries agreed on reinforcing intelligence sharing and operational cooperation in counter terrorism efforts.”
The APP said both also spoke about strengthening economic partnerships, enhancing trade relations and exploring new avenues of mutual cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.
“Additionally, cultural exchanges and the promotion of people-to-people ties were discussed to further strengthen relations between the two nations,” the statement said.
Pakistan and the UK have a long and multifaceted relationship, with the latter hosting a large Pakistani diaspora community. Pakistan is also a member of the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 countries out of which the vast majority are former British territories.
Former Pakistan coach Bradburn fined after discriminatory conduct during Glamorgan stint
- Bradburn was sacked by Glamorgan in December following internal investigation into his behavior
- Bradburn allegedly asked players from Asian background what their “real age” was, implying they lied
LONDON: Former Glamorgan coach Grant Bradburn has been fined and warned about his future conduct after admitting to discriminatory conduct during his spell with the Welsh county cricket side.
Bradburn was sacked by Glamorgan in December following an internal investigation into the New Zealander’s behavior.
A Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) found the former Scotland and Pakistan coach twice made comments with “racist connotations” and also made a remark with “sexist connotations.”
The 58-year-old has been ordered to attend an educational course and fined £500 ($648), in addition to the reprimand.
In its written reasons for the sanction, the CDC said it was alleged Bradburn asked players from an Asian background what their “real age” was, implying they do not tell the truth about their age.
It was also alleged he said during a pre-season team meeting that when making cricket selection decisions in Pakistan, players would pick their friends or cousins or pick names out of a hat.
Bradburn allegedly used the phrase “this isn’t Western Storm” (a former women’s team) during a fielding practice session when he considered that male players were demonstrating a lack of intensity, “throwing like girls.”
Bradburn, a former New Zealand off-spinner, coached Scotland from 2014 to 2018.
He worked as Pakistan’s fielding coach, subsequently taking over as head coach in 2023 — a role he left after less than a year, prior to joining Glamorgan in January 2024.
At least 1,141 Pakistanis killed and injured due to ‘terrorism’ from Jan. 1 to Mar.16— minister
- Tallal Chaudry says three law enforcement personnel, two civilians are killed daily across Pakistan due to “terrorism”
- Minister of state for interior urges opposition to support government in its war against surging militancy in country
ISLAMABAD: At least 1,141 Pakistanis have been killed and injured from Jan. 1 to Mar. 16 in “terrorism” incidents, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry said on Thursday, urging provinces to support the central government in its battle against militants.
Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan and Iran in recent days, especially Balochistan, where separatist militants last Tuesday stormed a train and held hundreds of passengers hostage before the army launched a rescue operation. The army killed all 33 militants while a final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack.
Days later on Sunday, five people including three paramilitary soldiers were killed in a blast in Balochistan’s Nushki district. A top parliamentary panel met on Tuesday to discuss the prevalent security situation in the country, calling for national consensus and political unity to battle militancy.
“From the previous [month], Jan. 1 to Mar. 16, the figures say that 1,141 casualties of terrorism have taken place. This includes both the martyred and the injured,” Chaudry said during a news conference. “Out of this, 1,127 alone are from KP and Balochistan.”
He said on a daily basis, three law enforcement agencies’ personnel are killed and seven are injured while two civilians are killed and four injured across Pakistan.
The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which is in power in KP province, boycotted the parliamentary panel on national security’s meeting this week and said it would not support any fresh military operation in the country.
Chaudry criticized the PTI, saying that it would not be possible to eliminate “terrorism” from the country if both KP and Balochistan provinces did not join the state in battling militants. The minister blamed the PTI for creating controversies to undermine Pakistan’s war against militancy.
“We are not starting a new operation neither has there been talk of a new operation,” Chaudry clarified. “But whether it is Azm-e-Istehkam or the National Action Plan, they will be implemented, and it will be ensured that they are implemented,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s previous initiatives against militancy.
Pakistan ranks as the second-most affected country by terrorism, according to The Global Terrorism Index 2025. Militancy-related deaths surged by 45 percent, rising from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, marking one of the steepest global increases.
Pakistan’s security forces are battling the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistani Taliban militants in KP province. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering TTP militants, an allegation the Afghan Taliban deny strongly.
In Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land but its poorest by almost all social and economic indicators, separatist militants have been fighting security forces for decades for a greater share in the natural resources of the province. Pakistan’s federal government and military point to various education and health initiatives undertaken in Balochistan, reiterating their resolve to bring about progress in the province.
Pakistan to hold Mar. 23 military parade on ‘limited scale’ due to Ramadan
- Parade will mark 85th anniversary of Pakistan’s republic day celebrated each year on Mar. 23 to celebrate adoption of Lahore Resolution
- Pakistan honors foreign dignitaries, national heroes with top civilian awards, features tanks, missiles, UAVs, and air defense systems at parade
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Day military parade will be held this year on Mar. 23 on a “limited scale” due to the holy month of Ramadan, state-run media reported on Thursday, with contingents of the country’s three armed forces set to participate in the spectacle.
The parade will be held on the 85th anniversary of Pakistan’s republic day, marked each year to celebrate the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the Muslim League party, which called for the creation of an independent state for the Muslims of India on Mar. 23, 1940.
While last year the event was held at the Parade Avenue in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, this year it is scheduled to take place within the premises of the Aiwan-e-Sadr or the official residence of Pakistan’s president. President Asif Ali Zardari will be the chief guest on the occasion, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
“Pakistan Day Parade will be held on Sunday on a limited scale with traditional enthusiasm,” it said. “The decision to hold the parade on a limited scale was made due to the month of Ramadan,” Radio Pakistan said.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets will also conduct a fly past, a ceremonial or honorific flight by an aircraft or group of aircraft, during the occasion.
“Foreign ambassadors and other distinguished guests have also been invited to the event,” the state media reported.
Pakistan honors foreign dignitaries and national heroes on the occasion with top civilian awards. The parade also features mechanized columns including tanks, armored personnel carriers, rocket launchers, air defense system, guns, UAVs, short-and-long-range Pakistani missiles such as Ra’ad, Nasr, Babur, Shaheen, Ghauri and Ababeel every year.
This year the military parade takes place as Pakistan grapples with surging militancy, especially in its southwestern Balochistan province bordering Iran and Afghanistan. Separatist militants last Tuesday bombed a section of the railway track and stormed the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express train carrying over 400 passengers in the mountainous Bolan region.
The crisis was resolved the following day when the armed forces carried out a successful operation to rescue the hostages, killing all 33 militants in the process. A final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack.
Violence persisted in the region days later as a blast killed five, including three paramilitary soldiers, in the province’s Nushki district on Sunday.
Both attacks were claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), an ethnic separatist militant outfit in the province. The BLA is the largest and strongest of several ethnic Baloch insurgent groups which have been fighting for decades to win a larger share of the natural resources of mineral-rich Balochistan, which is also home to major China-led projects including a port and gold and copper mines.
