Pakistani adventurist reaches UAE after exploring 45 countries on a bicycle

Kamran Ali, a Pakistani adventurer who travels internationally on his bicycle, upon reaching his destination in Alaska in 2019. Ali began the journey from Argentina four years ago. (Photo courtesy: Kamran Ali)
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Updated 16 January 2023
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Pakistani adventurist reaches UAE after exploring 45 countries on a bicycle

  • Kamran Ali has covered about 50,000 kilometers on his trusted two-wheeler, is currently on his way to South Africa
  • Ali left his job as a software developer in Germany and decided to follow his passion to travel around the world on his bike

DUBAI: A Pakistani traveler and adventurer, Kamran Ali, entered the United Arab Emirates from Oman last week after exploring 45 countries across four continents on a bicycle in the last five years.

Born in Layyah, which is located in Punjab province, Ali has covered about 50,000 kilometers on his trusted two-wheeler and is currently on his way to South Africa.

Speaking to Arab News on Sunday, he said that his dream being up close with nature, people and diverse cultures took 13 years to come true.

“I used to bike my way to neighboring cities and my parents used to get furious,” he laughed while recalling his passion for cycling at an early age.




Kamran Ali, a Pakistani adventurer who travels internationally on his bicycle, is passing through Monument Valley in the United States in 2016 during his trip from Argentina to Alaska (Photo courtesy: Kamran Ali)

Ali finished his postgraduate studies in 2002 before deciding to go to Germany for higher education.

“I was on a plane from Islamabad to Frankfurt, and we must be flying over Eastern Turkiye, when the beauty of the landscape struck,” he recalled. “That’s when I made a secret pledge to myself to see all such places in the world from close by.”




Kamran Ali, a Pakistani adventurer who travels internationally on his bicycle, while taking a breather in the initial days of his four-year-long journey from Argentina to Alaska. (Photo courtesy: Kamran Ali)

Years later, in 2011, he left his job in Germany as a software developer after doctorate and started the international bike tour to Pakistan from Rostock. However, he had to abandon the adventure trip within six months due to the tragic death of his mother.

In March 2015, Ali resumed his tour from where he had left off in Sivas, Turkiye, and covered 10,000 kilometers to reached Layyah in August that year.

“I still wanted to go on,” he said. “So I planned the longest trip ever from the tip of South America to the North Pole.”




Kamran Ali, a Pakistani adventurer who travels internationally on his bicycle, at the start of his four-year-long trip from Argentina in South America to Alaska in 2016 (Photo courtesy: Kamran Ali)

He added he was the only Pakistani who had traveled the entire length of Americas on a bicycle. Ali said it took him four years to cover 33,100 kilometers from Ushuaia, Argentina, to Alaska in 2016.

A couple of weeks ago, the Pakistani adventurer started another tour – this time from the Middle East to South Africa. He started his journey from Muscat, Oman, in the beginning of January and reached Dubai in two weeks.

He now plans to go to Saudi Arabia, take a ferry to Sudan, and begin his journey through Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania to reach South Africa.

“Cycling for me is no longer a hobby or sport or even an adventure,” Ali said. “It’s a way of life. My bicycle travels have taught me that the world could be a better place if people knew about each other a little more. Realizing that we are one can help us become more compassionate.”




Kamran Ali, a Pakistani adventurer who travels internationally on his bicycle, can his seen in Muscat, Oman, earlier this year while beginning his tour to South Africa via Dubai (Photo courtesy: Kamran Ali)

Imbued with the spirit to travel to every corner of the world, he initially embarked on his international tours by using his savings. Things changed since then and now Ali tries to secure sponsorships by telling stories from around the world with colorful pictures, videos and writings.

As an avid photographer, he also displayed his photos at some local exhibitions.

“I’m pursuing my dream for a deeper satisfaction by connecting with places, listening to stories, and learning lessons while being on the road,” he said. “I have no intention of stopping until I’m forced to.”




Kamran Ali, a Pakistani adventurer who travels internationally on his bicycle, can be seen at the railway station of his hometown, Layyah, in Pakistan in 2016. (Photo courtesy: Kamran Ali)

 


US defense secretary holds call with Pakistan army chief to discuss regional developments

Updated 13 sec ago
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US defense secretary holds call with Pakistan army chief to discuss regional developments

  • A statement issued in Washington says the two officials ‘discussed areas of mutual interest’
  • The Pakistan army’s media wing has not issued a statement to share details of conversation

ISLAMABAD: United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a phone call with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, a brief statement issued in Washington announced on Tuesday night.

The US statement did not share details of the conversation between the two officials, though their exchange comes at a time when both countries are trying to rebuild relations that came under strain during the government of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The ex-premier accused the administration in Washington of orchestrating his downfall in a no-trust vote since he was trying to pursue an independent foreign policy. The US official have, however, repeatedly denied the claim.

“Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Asim Munir,” Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a brief statement. “Secretary Austin and Gen. Munir discussed areas of mutual interest as well as recent regional developments.”

Pakistan army media wing, ISPR, is yet to issue a statement about the phone call.

However, the caretaker administration gave a deadline to all illegal immigrants, mostly Afghan nationals, to leave the country by the end of the month.

The decision was announced after two militant attacks on a mosque and a religious procession left more than 60 people dead in the country’s western provinces bordering Afghanistan.

Officials in Islamabad have frequently blamed the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whose leadership is said to be based in the neighboring state, for launching such attacks.

The country’s caretaker interior minister Sarfaraz Bugti also blamed Afghan nationals for their involvement in several militant attacks during a media briefing.

“From January till now, there have been 24 suicide bombings [in Pakistan],” he said. “Of those 24, 14 suicide bombings were carried out by Afghan nationals. They were Afghans who attacked us.


Pakistan imposes 10 percent fee on Afghan transit trade items

Updated 04 October 2023
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Pakistan imposes 10 percent fee on Afghan transit trade items

  • The decision comes amid an intense crackdown against smugglers and hoarders to bolster the weakening economy
  • Officials say the move will prevent items destined for Afghanistan to be brought into Pakistani markets by traders

PESHAWAR: Pakistan announced on Tuesday to impose a 10 percent processing fee on several items imported from Afghanistan under a transit trade agreement in a step that has been viewed as an attempt to stop illegal entry of goods into the country from the neighboring state.
The government launched an intense crackdown against smugglers and black marketers last month to bolster the country’s weakening economy and bring down the prices of essential items in the market.
The counter smuggling operation prevented the flight of foreign currencies from Pakistan, leading to the stabilization of its value somewhat subsiding the inflationary pressure in the economy.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 18D of the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969), the Federal Government is pleased to impose processing fee at the rate of 10 percent ad valorem on the following Afghan transit Commercial goods imported into Afghanistan in transit via Pakistan,” said a customs department notification while listing down the items.
These included confectionaries and chocolates, footwear, mechanical and electrical machinery, blankets and home textiles, and garments.
Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported customs officials “suspect that certain goods, though destined for Afghanistan, are clandestinely rerouted back into Pakistan, prompting this latest measure.”
However, the official notification said goods declarations filed prior to the decision on Tuesday would be exempt from the processing fee.
Pakistan has also announced to crack down on illegal immigrants, mostly Afghans, residing in the country, asking them to leave before the end of the month.


Pakistani cybersecurity expert leads King Saud University in winning US AI-based biometrics patent

Updated 04 October 2023
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Pakistani cybersecurity expert leads King Saud University in winning US AI-based biometrics patent

  • The university says it such research projects can help transform the kingdom into a knowledge-based economy
  • Muhammad Khurram Khan, who led the research team, has set up a cybersecurity think tank in the United States

KARACHI: King Saud University has won a patent from the United States by developing a biometrics-based iris recognition system after carrying out a project led by an accomplished Pakistani expert who is also the founded of an independent and non-partisan cybersecurity think-tank in Washington.
According to a post shared on the university’s website, the new system uses artificial intelligence and employs deep learning-based methods for extracting discriminant features from biometric traits obtained from eyeball images.
Muhammad Khurram Khan, who carried out and supervised the research, is a distinguished professor of cybersecurity from the Center of Excellence in Information Assurance and the founding CEO of the US think tank, Global Foundation for Cyber Studies and Research.
“The invention provides an innovative method based on multi-algorithm, multi-biometric, and multi-instance approaches to a single biometric source that enhances security and performance of the identification process at significant level,” the Saudi university announced.
“The invented technology has widespread applications, which are not only limited to areas such as immigration and border control, health care, banking and finance, consumer electronics, smart mobility, and military and defense, etc.,” it added.
The university website also proclaimed that Khan and his research team held a number of US patents in cybersecurity and had also published numerous high-impact research papers in flagship journals.
It also highlighted its own commitment to such research and development projects to transform the kingdom into a knowledge-based economy under Vision 2030.


Pakistan’s cotton production bounces back after last year’s losses, records 71 percent growth

Updated 04 October 2023
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Pakistan’s cotton production bounces back after last year’s losses, records 71 percent growth

  • The country witnessed a massive decline of 34 percent in cotton production last year due to the floods
  • The government calls this year’s production level ‘momentous,’ expects a bumper crop of 12 million bales

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cotton producers have made a remarkable comeback after suffering massive losses due to last year’s monsoon floods, with the commerce ministry announcing a 71 percent year-on-year growth in the ongoing year by issuing a brief statement on Tuesday.
Cotton is the main raw material of Pakistan’s textile sector which contributes about 60 percent to the overall exports of the country.
Torrential rains during monsoon last year triggered flash flood, destroying people’s houses and farmlands across much of the country.
The situation caused a huge setback to cotton production sector that experienced a 34 percent year-on-year decline, according to the official figures.
However, the ministry said in its statement that the “astounding 71 percent year-on-year growth” had “not only surpassed the previous year’s figures but also exceeded expectations.”
“Cotton arrivals crossing the 5 million bales mark on October 1, 2023, is a momentous achievement for Pakistan,” Dr. Gohar Ejaz, the interim commerce minister, said while commenting on the development. “Last year, our total crop was 5 million bales, and this year, we are anticipating a bumper crop of 12 million bales.”
“This remarkable growth showcases the dedication and hard work of our farmers and the resilience of our cotton industry,” he added.
The minister also promised to support and promote the cotton sector of the country, saying it had always played an “indispensable role” in Pakistan’s economic development and global competitiveness.
According to the textile industry stakeholders, the country’s cotton production has been shrinking in recent years.
“The cotton output in Pakistan is declining mainly due to the climate change-related issues and reduction in the cultivation area,” Chaudhry Waheed Arshad, a top official of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association, told Arab News earlier this year in January.


Pakistan’s election regulator to invite international observers for upcoming polls

Updated 04 October 2023
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Pakistan’s election regulator to invite international observers for upcoming polls

  • Election commission said last month polls in Pakistan would be held in January 
  • Ex-PM Khan and his party have accused the ECP of being biased against him

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election regulator has decided to invite international observers to witness the upcoming polls slated to be held in the last week of January 2024, the state-run Radio Pakistan said in a report on Tuesday. 

Former prime minister Imran Khan, who was ousted from office via a parliamentary vote in April 2022, has accused Pakistan’s powerful military and ex-PM Shehbaz Sharif’s previous government of attempting to “dismantle” his political party owing to his widespread popularity. 

Khan, who is in jail, has said the various charges against him are politically motivated and has accused the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) of being part of a ploy to keep him out of politics. The ECP has rejected Khan’s allegations while Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said Khan’s party would be given a “level-playing field” to contest polls. 

“Election Commission of Pakistan has decided to write to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to invite international observers for upcoming general elections,” the report said. It added that the decision was taken during a meeting of the regulator chaired by its head, Sikandar Sultan Raja.

The report said ECP decided to expedite the process of international observers who have already requested to observe Pakistan’s electoral process. 

“The Election Commission accorded approval to the code of conduct for International Observers and also allowed to publish it on a priority basis,” Radio Pakistan said. 

Last month, the ECP said it would publish the final list of constituencies by Nov. 30 and that polls would be held in the country during the last week of January. 

In September, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it was concerned about the scope for institutions to manipulate the electoral process in Pakistan.

“Apart from ensuring that free, fair and credible elections take place, the test of the current caretaker government is to see not only whether it will protect and respect people’s right to protest peacefully, but also whether it will respond to the issues that ordinary citizens are mobilizing around,” the HRCP said. 

Pakistan heads to the polls amid mounting challenges in the form of an economic meltdown and political instability that has depleted the country’s reserves and weakened its currency. The cash-starved South Asian nation has hiked fuel prices in recent weeks, leading to staggering inflation and more problems for its population.