ISLAMABAD: Retail company Carrefour Pakistan, owned and operated by UAE-based holding firm Majid Al Futtaim, announced on Wednesday its decision to join hands with Pakistani non-profit organization (NGO) Alkhidmat Foundation to provide relief to earthquake victims in Syria and Turkiye, and provide free meals to the less privileged in Pakistan during Ramadan. 

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and charity. The first fast in Pakistan is likely to be observed on Thursday, March 23.

Through the collaboration, Carrefour said the two would provide meals to the less privileged Pakistanis in Ramadan and also send relief items to victims of the recent devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.

“We believe in the power of collective action and community support. We are greatly pleased to join hands with Alkhidmat Foundation to play our part in eliminating food hunger in the country, whilst providing relief to those affected by the earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria,” Umer Lodhi, Carrefour Pakistan’s country manager, said.

“We hope our combined efforts will make a positive impact on those who need it the most.”

The statement added that customers would also have the opportunity to give back to the community this Ramadan by purchasing special, pre-packed boxes filled with essential food items such as rice, flour, oil, dates & pulses.

The pre-packed boxes, it said, will then be distributed among needy families to help provide them some relief during Ramadan as the South Asian country grapples with decades-high inflation.

“Earthquake relief boxes comprising shelter supplies, clothing, and non-perishable food items are available for customers to buy and donate at all Carrefour stores,” the statement said.

PESHAWAR: Local tribesmen in the native town of a senior Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency official announced three days of mourning on Wednesday after a group of militants killed him in an attack near the country’s border with Afghanistan the day before.

According to a statement issued by the army, Brig. Mustafa Kamal Barki was driving to Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan tribal district, when his caravan came under attack near the frontier region of Angoor Adda. The ensuing shootout killed Barki and left seven troops injured.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which was described by his community members as a major loss.

“I really don’t have words to express how big a loss this is for the nation,” Malik Irfan Barki, a tribal elder and the slain official’s close neighbor, told Arab News. “What we have suffered as his community members is simply irreparable.”

“The demise of Mustafa Barki has shattered us and sent shockwaves through the Kaniguram valley,” he continued. “I called a grand jirga [tribal gathering] of Barki elders which announced three-day mourning over his tragic demise.”

Kaniguram, a picturesque town at the heart of South Waziristan district, is home to a small community of about 14,000 people.

The attack on Barki was launched amid a surge in militant violence in Pakistan since a proscribed militant faction, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), called off a fragile cease-fire with the government in November.

TTP militants have since targeted police and security forces in the country’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces located next to Afghanistan.

Nisar Barki, a cousin of the slain official, described his relative as a “caring person.”

He said Barki received his early education from a local school in his hometown before getting admission to an education institute in Tank.

“We studied together until the 12th grade and were even together at Cadet College Razmak in North Waziristan,” he added. “After completing his education there, Mustafa was selected by a medical college and Pakistan’s military academy, but he preferred to join the army.”

“He was a bold, courageous, and very caring person as a relative,” he continued.

He also said that his cousin joined the Frontier Force Regiment in 1995 and served in various capacities. He was also posted abroad to work with different Pakistani diplomatic missions.

The slain official was a graduate of the National Defense University and Command and Staff College Quetta. Apart from that, he also participated in the Kargil war and suffered injuries.

“My late cousin used to tell me to forgive and forget,” Barki said. “He was a genius and a deep-thinking man.”