ISLAMABAD: At least 10 Pakistanis have lost their lives in the tragic bus accident near Madinah, official at Pakistan embassy in Riyadh said on Friday.
“10 Pakistanis lost their lives while one is critically injured,” Abdul Shakoor Sheikh, community welfare attaché at Pakistan’s embassy in Riyadh told Arab News.
Officials are making efforts to identify the casualties through DNA tests, he said.
Thirty-five Arab and Asian pilgrims were killed and four others injured in a bus crash on Wednesday near the Muslim holy city of Madinah, while traveling from Medina to Makkah for pilgrimage.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Thursday night expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragic road accident in Saudi Arabia.
According to media reports, the accident happened when a privately chartered bus carrying 39 passengers collided with a loader near Madinah at about 7pm on Wednesday.
“Of the four survivors… there is one Pakistani named Mr. Akbar, who is seriously injured,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a press statement on Wednesday night.
“The Pakistan Consulate General in Jeddah has established contact with him and is in touch with the concerned Saudi authorities and staff of the King Fahad Hospital, Madinah, to ascertain details of casualties of Pakistani nationals,” statement read.
Reacting to the development, the foreign minister said his ministry was in touch with the Saudi authorities to ascertain the causes of the accident.
“Our diplomatic mission is in contact with the Saudi authorities to ensure that the injured get the best medical facilities and the bodies of the deceased are smoothly flown back to Pakistan,” Qureshi added.
10 Pakistanis dead, 1 critically injured in Madinah bus crash
10 Pakistanis dead, 1 critically injured in Madinah bus crash
- Pakistan consulate in Riyadh confirms 11 nationals were onboard the unfortunate bus
- Authorities trying to identify casualties through DNA tests
stc Bank set to launch later this year, says group CEO
RIYADH: Saudi telecom giant stc Group has obtained official approval for the soft launch of its new banking sector subsidiary, aiming to provide Shariah-compliant fintech solutions.
The Saudi Central Bank has given the green light for the beta launch of stc Bank, with a full rollout to all customers anticipated later this year, revealed the company's CEO, Olayan Al-Wetaid, while announcing the financial results of the first quarter.
The new entity will offer banking services and financial solutions compliant with Islamic Shariah, prioritizing high security and customer protection through advanced fintech. This aligns with the ambitious goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for a prosperous diversified economy.
In its financial results announcement for the period ending March 31, the CEO explained that stc Group has strengthened its position in the telecommunications sector through a strategic partnership with the Public Investment Fund.
Earlier in April, the two entities finalized agreements for PIF to acquire a 51 percent stake in the Telecommunications Towers Co., also known as Tawal, valuing the company at SR21.94 billion ($5.8 billion).
This transaction is part of a broader merger with Golden Lattice Investment Co. to form a new entity that aims to lead the national telecommunications infrastructure, with stc Group retaining a 43.06 percent stake.
These developments are part of stc’s DARE 2.0 strategy, which focuses on unconventional growth paths and leading digital transformation in the region, Al-Wetaid stated.
The strategy has already yielded significant results, with stc’s network experiencing its highest volume of voice calls during the recent Ramadan, a 35 percent increase compared to the previous year, supported by modern digital voice technologies.
Further embodying its growth strategy, stc Group has engaged in numerous strategic partnerships and agreements, notably at the LEAP 2024 conference with global tech giants such as Huawei, Ericsson, and Samsung.
These collaborations are designed to enhance innovation and speed up digital transformation across the region.
Additionally, the group’s subsidiary, Solutions, signed a memorandum of understanding with the French Devoteam Group in February to explore IT investment opportunities globally, following Solutions’ acquisition of a 40 percent stake in Devoteam Middle East.
In its financial report, stc Group highlighted a notable growth in revenues for the first quarter of 2024, which increased by 7.76 percent compared to the previous quarter and by 5.07 percent compared to the same quarter last year, totaling SR19.1 billion.
This revenue growth was primarily driven by a 1.2 percent increase in stc Saudi Arabia’s revenues, supported by a 6.7 percent rise in commercial unit revenues and a 5.7 percent increase in carriers and wholesale unit revenues, despite a decline in business unit revenues.
Additionally, revenues from stc’s subsidiaries saw a significant rise of 13 percent.
The company also reported growth in gross profit, which rose by 5.13 percent compared to the previous quarter and by 1.65 percent compared to the same quarter last year, reaching SR9.3 billion.
Earnings before interest, taxes, zakat, depreciation, and amortization similarly showed a robust increase, rising by 16.3 percent compared to the previous quarter and by 2.07 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching SR6.4 billion.
Notably, net profit for the quarter surged by 44.50 percent compared to the previous quarter and increased by 5.69 percent compared to the same quarter last year, totaling SR3.2 billion.
First Makkah Route Hajj flight to depart from Karachi airport tomorrow
- First 11 Hajj flights carrying 2,160 Pakistani pilgrims scheduled to land in Madinah on Thursday
- Makkah Route Initiative was recently expanded to Karachi, previously available in Islamabad
KARACHI: Pakistan will launch its month-long Hajj flight operation from tomorrow, Thursday, with 11 flights scheduled to arrive in Madinah from five major Pakistani cities, including Karachi where passengers will utilize the Makkah Route Initiative for the first time.
Pakistani officials last month confirmed Saudi Arabia’s decision to expand the Makkah Route Initiative, previously available in Islamabad, to the airport in Karachi, the country’s largest and most populous city.
Launched in 2019, the Makkah Route Initiative allows for the completion of immigration procedures at the pilgrims’ country of departure, making it possible to bypass long immigration and customs checks on reaching Saudi Arabia. The facility significantly reduces waiting times and makes the entry process smoother and faster.
“These flights will transport pilgrims from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar to the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Madinah Airport), beginning a massive influx of devotees from Pakistan and other parts of the world,” state news agency APP said, adding that the first 11 flights would take 2,160 Hajj pilgrims to Madinah.
The agency reported that Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, would visit the Islamabad and Karachi airports, both now operated under the Makkah Route Initiative, to bid farewell to Pakistani Hajj pilgrims.
“The pilgrims will be received by authorities concerned at the Pakistan Consulate General and the Hajj Mission of the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” APP added.
Under the Hajj flight operation, five airlines – Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, Airblue, Serene Air, and Air Sial – will operate 259 sorties to transport around 68,000 intending pilgrims from eight major cities of Pakistan, namely Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Quetta, Sialkot, and Sukkur, to Jeddah and Madinah under the government scheme.
According to the flight schedule, the first flight, PF754 (AirSial), is scheduled to depart for Madinah at 01:45 am from Karachi, carrying around 150 intending Hajj pilgrims. The last Hajj flight, SV3727 (Saudi Airlines), will depart on June 10 from Islamabad to Jeddah, with 380 passengers onboard.
During the first 15 days, all flights will operate from various cities of Pakistan to Madinah until May 23, and afterwards, they will land at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, until the completion of the Hajj flight operation.
This year, around 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj under both the government and private schemes, for which a month-long flight operation is scheduled to commence on May 9, tomorrow.
Out of 179,210 pilgrims, 89,605 each will embark on the holy journey under the government and private schemes, while a quota of 25,000 and 44,802 pilgrims, respectively, have been allocated to the sponsorship schemes.
Saudi Arabia poised to elevate US AI infrastructure, Alat CEO says
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has the potential to serve as a crucial contributor and advocate for the development of US artificial intelligence infrastructure, according to a top official.
Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in California, Alat CEO Amit Midha discussed the company’s future endeavors and collaborations with global partners in the technology sector in an interview with Bloomberg.
Launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Alat plays a significant role in manufacturing semiconductors and various smart technologies, including advanced industrials and next-gen infrastructure.
Midha told the event: “We can be meaningful builders and supporters for US captaincy of building AI infrastructure.”
Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in advanced technology extend to establishing data centers, nurturing AI enterprises, and bolstering semiconductor manufacturing, according to Bloomberg..
In a parallel development, the US has urged Abu Dhabi-based AI firm G42 to divest from Chinese technology. This move, in exchange for continued access to US systems powering AI applications, paved the way for a significant $1.5 billion investment from Microsoft Corp. in G42.
Speaking on partnerships with the US and China, Alat’s CEO said: “So far, the requests have been to keep manufacturing and supply chains completely separate, but if the partnerships with China would become a problem for the US, we will divest.”
According to Bloomberg reports, US officials have been engaging with their Saudi counterparts, emphasizing the necessity for Saudi Arabia to opt between Chinese and American technology as it seeks to advance its semiconductor industry. These discussions are part of broader dialogues concerning national security.
Midha highlighted the importance of forging secure and reliable partnerships with the US.
“The US is the number one partner for us and the number one market for AI, chips and semiconductor industry,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Alat is poised to unveil partnerships with two US tech companies by the conclusion of June, with plans for co-investment alongside a US firm.
According to Bloomberg, Midha has refrained from disclosing the names of the companies involved or specifying whether the collaborations are focused on AI, chips, or a combination of both.
Energy deals with Brazil, Japan, and Jordan signed off by Saudi Cabinet
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has approved economic and energy deals with several countries including Jordan, Brazil, and Japan, during its latest Cabinet meeting.
An agreement between the central banks of the Kingdom and Qatar focusing on cooperation in financing operations was also among the deals endorsed.
The meeting also approved various agreements between the Saudi government and other countries, including Oman, Georgia, and Morocco.
The Council of Ministers discussed updates on the Kingdom’s cooperation with various countries worldwide, focusing on efforts to enhance bilateral and collective work across multiple fields.
Among them were agreements reached between the Kingdom and both Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan in the field of energy.
These accords reflect a commitment to the sustainability and stability of petroleum markets. They also aim to advance cooperation in clean energy sectors, contributing to a globally organized energy transition. Additionally, they seek to build a more sustainable future for the three countries and the world.
In his statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari highlighted the Council’s appreciation for the results of the recent Arab conferences in Riyadh focused on environmental matters.
He added that the Cabinet stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to partner with regional and global entities to bolster agriculture, food security, and water resources, aligning with the country’s sustainable development goals.
During the session, the Council of Ministers cleared various agreements including an energy cooperation deal between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, as well as a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy.
The Cabinet also endorsed two cooperation pacts between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and both Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. These pacts relate to the fields of mineral wealth, mining, and mineral resources.
Moreover, it cleared the Kingdom’s accession to the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement concerning the international registration of industrial designs.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the implementation of a decision made by the Gulf Cooperation Council states’ Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee regarding the final draft for exempting industrial inputs from fees. This decision was made during the committee’s 120th meeting, held in October 2023 in the Omani capital, Muscat.
Shanina Shaik takes part in Australian Mother’s Day campaign
DUBAI: Part-Arab model Shanina Shaik took part in her first-ever Mother’s Day campaign with fashion platform Witchery to mark the Australian iteration of the globally celebrated occasion, which lands on May 12.
The Australia-born model — who is of Saudi, Pakistani and Lithuanian descent — shares a son with her partner, Matthew Adesuyan.
Born in September 2022, their toddler Zai Adesuyan Matthew is also part of the campaign video and he can be seen laughing on his mother’s lap in a studio setting.
“Motherhood has changed me in so many ways… it’s definitely created more patience,” Shaik joked in the video campaign that she shared with her 3.4 million followers on Instagram.
“Now that I’m a mother, I would like to say to my mother, ‘I understand.’ I understand the worry, the concern, because you just want to protect your child every day at all costs,” she added.
The 33-year-old model also said: “If I could describe motherhood in one word, it would be ‘powerful,’” before concluding “the purest form of love is the bond between a mother and a child.”
Shaik announced the birth of her first child in September 2022 by sharing a picture of the couple’s bundle of joy on Instagram. “Welcome to the world baby Zai Adesuyan Matthew. @bausmatthew and I are so in love,” she captioned the post.
“I have taken this time to adjust to my baby’s schedule and to understand the role of being a mother. Bringing life into this world is a beautiful challenge. I would be happy to share my experience soon,” she wrote at the time.
Zai was born on Sept. 16 in Los Angeles, according to Shaik’s mother, Kim Shaik.
The grandmother wrote on Facebook: “My gorgeous grandson was born last night at 12:50 on the 16th September 2022.”
The catwalk star announced her pregnancy in May 2022 with a letter to her then-unborn child.
“To the new love of my life, thank you for choosing me to be your mum. I have always wanted you for as long as I can remember, and at times my patience was tested. The timing had to be right, and I can say with confidence that I am ready to be your guide, your protector and your best friend,” the former Victoria’s Secret model wrote.
“As each month goes by during this precious journey of pregnancy, I am learning what the role of being a mother entails. I worry a lot, especially about your wellbeing and development. It’s a feeling that I’ve never experienced before, not even about myself. I would do anything for you, be anything for you and sacrifice anything for you,” she continued.
She then praised her own mother, mentioning that she was raised by an “amazing woman” who taught her a lot about motherhood. “She has set the bar high and I don’t want to disappoint you. I want to raise you as she raised me.”
