Pakistani artist’s unique Qur’anic installation attracts huge crowds at Dubai Expo

Pakistani-Canadian artist Shahid Rassam can be seen at the unveiling of the “world’s largest Quran” at the Pakistan Pavilion in Dubai, UAE, on January 24, 2022. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020)
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Updated 31 January 2022
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Pakistani artist’s unique Qur’anic installation attracts huge crowds at Dubai Expo

  • Shahid Rassam has cast a portion of the Islamic scripture on a high-quality canvas with aluminum and gold-plated script
  • The 49-year-old artist says it will be a multimillion-dollar project to write the entire Qur’an using the same technique

DUBAI: People in large numbers have started visiting the Pakistan Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 to see what is said be the world’s largest Qur’an designed by a Pakistani-Canadian artist Shahid Rassam.
Surah Ar-Rahman, a chapter of the Islamic scripture which has been cast on a high-quality canvas with aluminum and gold-plated script, was unveiled at the pavilion on January 24 by Pakistan’s commerce chief Abdul Razak Dawood and its envoy to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Afzaal Mahmood.
Speaking to Arab News on Sunday, the 49-year-old artist said the portion of the Qur’an will continue to be exhibited at the event until its end on March 31.
“I did not expect the Qur’an to become the highlight at the expo,” Rassam, who is currently visiting Dubai to promote the project, said.
He noted that writing the whole scripture in such a huge size was going to be a multimillion-dollar project since it would require 200 kilograms of gold and 2,000 kilograms of aluminum to cast around 80,000 words on 550 pages.

“This will be a gigantic multimillion-dollar project requiring the support of the governments of Pakistan and the UAE,” he continued.




A chapter of the Quran is cast on a high-quality canvas with aluminum and gold-plated script by a Pakistani artist Shahid Rassam who put it on display at the Pakistan Pavilion in Dubai, UAE, on January 24, 2022. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020)

Rassam informed his financial team was working on assessing the exact amount required to cast the entire Qur’an in aluminum and gold.
He also maintained that the installation was unique and innovative in several ways, adding it had 1,585 letters, 352 words and 78 verses which were spread over six pages.
He informed the first two pages had only five lines while the rest of them had ten.
Rassam said the text required 15 kilograms of aluminum and more than one kilogram of gold on the special canvas.
“I have not written the Holy Qur’an with color or ink. Instead, it has been cast on the canvas with aluminum and gold-plated words for the first time in the Islamic history,” he said in a press release.
Speaking to Arab News in September 2021, he said he had created his own design with acrylic colors and used an Italian glazing technique.
The project had been completed in almost four months with the help of 200 artists, painters, calligraphers, designers, and sculptors.
Irfan Mustafa, a Dubai-based entrepreneur, played a significant role in making the project a reality: Not only did he sponsor it but also convinced Rassam to share it at the expo.
Mustafa told Arab News he decided to support the project since it was unique.




The world’s youngest Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai visited the Pakistan Pavilion and met artist Shahid Rassam at the expo in Dubai, UAE, on January 29, 2022. (Photo courtesy: Shahid Rassam)

“This is a masterpiece which is being created and must be supported,” he said, adding the project would also strengthen Pakistan’s international image.
Farkhanda Jalil, a Dubai-based house wife who heard about the Qur’anic installation and decided to visit the pavilion, said she found it “completely amazing.”
“I have never seen anything like this and I think it is a great initiative,” she added.
Speaking to Arab News, Afroz Abro, director programming and marketing at the pavilion, said the team managing of the Pakistani venue was striving to highlight the potential fellow citizens and tell the international community that the people of Pakistan were capable of accomplishing big things when given the right opportunities.
“The Qur’anic installation by artist Shahid Rassam is a true example of that potential,” he maintained. “It adds a great value to the visitor’s experience. This is the true Pakistan that we all want to believe in.”


Pakistan president visits Balochistan, vows to establish state’s writ amid surging attacks

Updated 19 March 2025
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Pakistan president visits Balochistan, vows to establish state’s writ amid surging attacks

  • Separatist militants last week hijacked train in Balochistan, holding hundreds hostage
  • President demands modern weapons for law enforcement agencies to strengthen security 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari visited Balochistan’s Quetta city on Wednesday to review the law and order situation in the province, vowing that the state would establish its writ there despite surging militant attacks in recent days. 

Zardari’s visit to Quetta takes place as Pakistan struggles to contain militant attacks in the southwestern province, where separatists last week hijacked a train and held hostage hundreds of passengers. The military launched an operation and, after a day-long standoff, rescued 354 captives and killed 33 insurgents. A final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack.

Zardari arrived in Quetta on a day-long visit with his son and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday. The two attended a meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to review the security situation in the province. 

“President Asif Ali Zardari says the terrorist elements will be defeated at all costs and writ of the state will be ensured in Balochistan,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said. 

The Pakistani president said “terrorists” want to divide the nation, vowing they would never succeed in their ambitions. 

“The president said that modern arms would be provided to the Counter-Terrorism Département and other law enforcement institutions to strengthen security efforts,” the state broadcaster reported. 

Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by land but its most backward by almost all economic and social indicators. For decades it has been plagued by a low-level insurgency by militants fighting for a greater share of the province’s wealth.

Separatist militants, such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) accuse the central government of denying locals a share of Balochistan’s mineral resources. The federal government and the military strongly deny these accusations, and say they have launched several projects in the province to support its development. 

Militant violence has persisted in the province after the train hijacking. Three paramilitary soldiers among five people were killed in a suicide attack in Balochistan’s Nushki district on Sunday. 

A top parliamentary panel on national security met in Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss surging attacks in Balochistan. The panel stressed the need for a national consensus to counter militancy, calling for a unified political stance to confront the threat with “full force of the state.”


Pakistan football team to travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow for AFC Asian Cup qualifier camp

Updated 19 March 2025
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Pakistan football team to travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow for AFC Asian Cup qualifier camp

  • Pakistan will face Syria in AFC Asian Cup qualifier fixture on Mar. 25 in Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahsa
  • Green shirts to resume training camp in Saudi Arabia under Head Coach Stephen Constantine

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's national football team will travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Thursday, where they will resume training for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier fixture against Syria, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said in a statement. 

Pakistan will kick off their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification campaign against Syria on Mar. 25 at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. 

The green shirts concluded their training session in the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday night, the PFF said. 

"The team is set to depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow night, where they will continue their training under the guidance of Head Coach Stephen Constantine," the PFF said. 

Earlier this month, Pakistan reappointed Constantine, who previously served as the country's head coach from late 2023 until mid-2024, as head coach for the Syria fixture. 

Pakistan's inclusion in the qualifier was made possible after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) lifted its international suspension against the country earlier this month. 

FIFA hit Pakistan on Feb. 6 with a third international suspension in less than eight years after the federation rejected its electoral reforms. Following the suspension, the PFF unanimously approved FIFA's proposed constitutional amendments in an extraordinary meeting in Lahore this month. 

Pakistan are placed in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers alongside Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar.

PAKISTAN PROBABLES

Goal-Keepers: Yousuf Butt, Saqib Hanif, Abdul Basit and Adam Khan

Defenders: Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Haseeb Khan, Junaid Shah, Mamoon Moosa, Mohammad Fazal, Abdul Rehman and Waqar Ihtisam

Midfielders: Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Uzair, Ali Zafar, Muhammad Umar Hayat, Rahis Nabi, Toqeer ul Hassan, Umair Ali and Moin Ahmed

Forwards: Fareedullah, Harun Hamid, Imran Kayani, Mckeal Abdullah, Abdul Samad, Shayak Dost and Muhammad Adeel Younas


Pakistan, Russia conduct joint naval exercise in North Arabian Sea

Updated 19 March 2025
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Pakistan, Russia conduct joint naval exercise in North Arabian Sea

  • Both navies hold ‘Arabian Monsoon-VI’ exercise in Arabian Sea to enhance interoperability
  • Russian navy delegates meet Pakistan Navy officials, pay tribute to Pakistan founder Jinnah

KARACHI: Pakistani and Russian navies conducted a bilateral naval exercise named “Arabian Monsoon-VI” in the North Arabian Sea on Wednesday, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement, in their bid to counter maritime security threats and enhance interoperability. 

Pakistan and Russia, once Cold War rivals, have strengthened their relations through increased dialogue, trade and cooperation in energy and defense. Regular port visits and joint exercises between the Pakistan Navy and the Russian Navy have deepened bilateral ties, enhanced naval collaboration and fostered mutual trust.

“Various assets of Pakistan Navy, including a Destroyer, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, a Fast Attack Craft (Missile), a Maritime Patrol Aircraft and a UAV, participated in the exercise alongside Russian Federation Navy ships,” the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of the Pakistan Navy said. 

Multi-faceted maritime warfare serials and a coordinated patrol featured in the exercise, which also aimed at enhancing the interoperability of both navies, it added.

The exercise also featured participation from the Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft. 

The Russian navy delegates also called on Pakistan Navy officials and paid tribute to the nation’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, laying a floral wreath at his mausoleum.

“Joint maritime exercises with key naval forces underscore Pakistan Navy’s commitment to maintaining maritime security and ensuring a stable maritime order in the region,” the statement added.

On Mar. 13, the Russian navy flotilla arrived in the southern port city of Karachi where cross-ship visits, harbor drills and table-top discussions between the two sides were conducted. 

The Pakistan Navy regularly collaborates with allies and friendly nations, conducting joint military exercises to enhance synergy, promote regional peace and stability, deter piracy, drug trafficking and other illicit maritime activities.


Pakistan stocks hit record high on strong buying from local institutions

Updated 19 March 2025
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Pakistan stocks hit record high on strong buying from local institutions

  • The KSE-100 Index hit a record high of 117,974 points, rising by 973 points
  • Overall, 543 million shares were traded, with a turnover of Rs 32 billion

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s benchmark stock index (PSX) hit an all-time high on Wednesday, nearing the barrier of 118,000 points due to strong buying activity from local institutions, Topline Securities said. 

The KSE-100 Index hit a record high of 117,974 points, rising by 973 points (0.83 percent). 

“The market continued its upward momentum, fueled by strong buying activity from local institutions, peaking at 118,244 points during the day,” Topline Securities said in its market review. 

The rally was primarily driven by Hub Power Company, Mari Energies, Engro Holdings, Systems Limited and Pakistan Petroleum, which together contributed 551 points to the index. On the other hand, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Engro Fertilizer, and Pakistan Oilfields exerted downward pressure, pulling the index down by 54 points.

“Overall, 543 million shares were traded, with a turnover of Rs 32 billion. Pakistan International Bulk Terminal topped the volume chart with 52 million shares traded,” Topline added. 

Mohammed Sohail, a chief executive at Topline Securities, attributed the bull run to “expectations that the government will agree with banks to resolve old circular debt issues that will help listed energy companies.”

In Pakistan, “circular debt” refers to a cascading cycle of unpaid liabilities within the energy sector, where power distribution companies (DISCOs) fail to pay the Central Power Purchasing Authority-Guarantee (CPPA-G), which in turn cannot pay power generation companies (GENCOs), and so on.

The government last week announced it had reached an agreement with banks to extend PHL, a state-owned entity, Rs1.25 trillion in financing at a favorable floating interest rate of Kibor minus 0.90pc per annum.

The move was described as part of a broad strategy to eliminate circular debt in the power sector, which has been fueled by unpaid bills, theft, and distribution losses that have continued to accumulate over the past decade. Circular debt is one of the most contentious issues in Pakistan’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the first review of its $7 billion bailout program.

Sana Tawfik, head of research at Arif Habib Limited, said the positive momentum in stocks was continuing since last week.

“Secondly, volume levels have improved since Ramazan’s first week — that is, buying activity is visible,” she said. “On the economic front, there has been significant progress made regarding the IMF deal.” 
 


Pakistan announces three-day Eid Al-Fitr holiday from Mar. 31 to Apr. 2 

Updated 19 March 2025
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Pakistan announces three-day Eid Al-Fitr holiday from Mar. 31 to Apr. 2 

  • Ramadan began in Pakistan on Mar. 2, a day after most other Muslims nations
  • Eid Al-Fitr festival at the end of Ramadan is expected to fall on Mar. 31 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government has announced a three-day holiday from Mar. 31 to Apr. 2 on account of the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Fitr, the cabinet division said on Wednesday. 

Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan for Muslims worldwide. Ramadan began in Pakistan on Mar. 2, a day after most other Muslims nations, and the Eid Al-Fitr festival at end of the holy month is expected to fall on Mar. 31.

Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee, the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, spots the Shawwal moon and declares Eid dates in advance.

“It is notified that the Prime Minister has been pleased to declare public holidays (Monday to Wednesday) on the occasion of Eid-Al-Fitr,” the notification from the cabinet division said. 

Eid Al-Fitr is one of two major Muslim festivals, the other being Eid Al-Adha, which is marked by the slaughtering of animals such as sheep and goats whose meat is shared among family and friends and donated to the poor. This year, Eid Al-Adha is expected to fall on June 6 or 7, marking the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage.