KARACHI: The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, owned by Pakistan’s national carrier, announced on Thursday it would shut down on October 31, citing “economic impacts.”
The hotel opened on September 23, 1924 and was leased by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in 1979, with an option to purchase the building after 20 years, which it did in 1999.
“Due to the current economic impacts, after almost 100 years of welcoming guests to The Grand Dame of New York, the Roosevelt Hotel is regretfully closing its doors permanently as of Oct 31, 2020,” an announcement posted on the hotel’s website said.
Government officials said the hotel would not be sold off but its share might be floated.
“No decision has been made as the financial advisor is hired,” Muhammad Bashir Khan, parliamentary secretary for privatization, told Arab News. “Will give shares but the ownership will remain with the government. Renovation work is being done and it will be reopened.”
Khurram Shahzad, a members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Privatization, said a meeting would be held on Monday to “decide about the future plan for the hotel.”
On July 2, 2020, the Cabinet Committee on Privatization held a meeting on the privatization of Roosevelt Hotel, directing the privatization commission to hire a financial adviser to start the privatization process in the light of a report by Ms Deloitte which recommended, “that the highest and best use of the Roosevelt Hotel Property is to redevelop the site into a mixed use (through Joint Venture) of primarily office tower over retail and condominium.”
PIA officials say the Roosevelt hotel has remained profitable throughout its history and suffered a loss of $1.5 million last year.
In September this year, the government had approved up to $142 million to meet the hotel’s financial challenges.
After 100 years, PIA’s Roosevelt Hotel in New York to shut on Oct 31
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After 100 years, PIA’s Roosevelt Hotel in New York to shut on Oct 31
- The hotel opened in 1924 and was leased by Pakistan International Airlines in 1979 and bought by the company in 1999
- Meeting to be held on Monday to “decide future plan for the hotel” which PIA does not plan to sell, officials say
Pakistan saw 73% increase in combat-related deaths in 2025— think tank
- Pakistan reported 3,387 deaths thus year, among them 2,115 militants and 664 security forces personnel, says think tank
- Civilian deaths increased by 24% to 580 in 2025, compared to 468 in 2024, as Pakistan saw 1,063 militant attacks in 2025
ISLAMABAD: Combat-related deaths in Pakistan this year increased by 73%, with both security forces and militants suffering casualties in large numbers, a report published by an Islamabad-based think tank said on Sunday.
As per statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), combat-related deaths in 2025 rose 73% to 3,387, compared with 1,950 in 2024. These deaths included 2,115 militants, 664 security forces personnel, 580 civilians and 28 members of pro-government peace committees (combatants), the think tank said in a press release.
“Militants accounted for about 62% of total combat-related deaths, and their 2,115 fatalities represented the highest annual militant death toll since 2015, when 2,322 militants were killed,” PICSS said.
Compared to last year, militant deaths recorded a steep increase by 122% as the PICSS reported that 951 militants had been killed in 2024.
The think tank, however, said this year was also particularly bloody for Pakistani security forces. PICSS recorded 664 security personnel deaths in 2025, a 26% rise from 528 in 2024, and the highest annual figure since 2011, when 677 security forces personnel lost their lives.
Civilian deaths also increased by 24% to 580 in 2025, compared with 468 in 2024, marking the highest annual civilian toll since 2015, when 642 civilians were killed.
As per the PICSS report, at least 1,063 militant attacks took place in 2025, a 17% increase compared with 908 in 2024 and the highest annual total since 2014, when 1,609 militant attacks were recorded.
The report also noted a 53 percent increase in suicide attacks this year, with 26 such incidents reported in 2025 compared with 17 in 2024.
“PICSS noted an expanding trend in the use of small drones, including quadcopters, with 33 such incidents recorded during 2025, alongside increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles by security forces,” the report said.
The report noted an 83% rise in arrests of suspected militants, with 497 arrested in 2025 compared to 272 in 2024.
This 2025 figure is the highest annual total of suspected militants arrested since 2017, when 1,781 militants were either arrested or laid down their weapons.
“PICSS noted that most violence remained concentrated in Pashtun-majority districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the tribal districts (erstwhile FATA), and in Balochistan,” it said.
Pakistan has been grappling with a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both bordering Afghanistan, this year.
Islamabad blames Afghanistan for providing sanctuaries to militants it alleges use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the charges.
