Pakistani singer Atif Aslam donates Rs15 million in aid for Gaza

The combination of photos shows Pakistani musician Atif Aslam, left, and a man carrying the shrouded body of his child, in front of the morgue of the Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir Balah in the central Gaza Strip. (Photo credits: Atif Aslam and AFP)
Short Url
Updated 22 October 2023
Follow

Pakistani singer Atif Aslam donates Rs15 million in aid for Gaza

  • Scores of Palestinians were killed in central Gaza on Sunday after Israel stepped up its strikes on the war-torn enclave
  • Israel's relentless bombing campaign has killed more than 4,600 Palestinians, mainly civilians, Gaza's health ministry says

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has donated Rs15 million ($54,547) to a Pakistani charity, Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, in aid for the besieged residents of Gaza, the charity organization said this week. 

Aslam's support for Palestine comes at a time when majority of celebrities and prominent figures across the world have kept mum, fearing a fallout from speaking up against Israeli strikes on the besieged enclave that have killed thousands of Palestinians. 

The Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan expressed its "deep gratitude" to the singer for his contribution to its Gaza fund, established to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza. 

"Deep gratitude to the esteemed Atif Aslam @itsaadee for his generous contribution of 15 million PKR towards essential medical and food aid for Gaza, Palestine during these trying times," the charity said on X.  

 

 

Scores of Palestinians were killed in central Gaza on Sunday after Israel stepped up its strikes on the war-torn enclave and another convoy of aid trucks arrived in the Hamas-run territory that faces dire shortages of essential supplies. 

The conflict began after Hamas militants stormed across the border into Israel on October 7, launching a raid that killed at least 1,400 people, according to Israeli officials. They also seized more than 200 hostages in the worst-ever attack in Israel's history. 

Israel has hit back with a relentless bombing campaign which has so far killed more than 4,600 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry. 

Aslam also took to Instagram last week to share his support for the Palestinian people. 

"Mourning the loss of innocent lives in Palestine," his post read. "Let's stand together and pray for healing, peace and hope." 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Atif Aslam (@atifaslam)

 


Pakistan’s deputy PM discusses ways to boost economic, trade ties with Iran

Updated 02 January 2026
Follow

Pakistan’s deputy PM discusses ways to boost economic, trade ties with Iran

  • Both countries agreed in August to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2028
  • Pakistan and Iran have been working to stabilize relations after strained security ties

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting to discuss economic and trade cooperation with Iran, the foreign office said on Friday, as the neighboring countries seek to expand ties.

The development took place during an inter-ministerial meeting on Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations chaired by Dar in Islamabad. Pakistan and Iran have been working to stabilize ties following a period of strained security relations.

Both countries have been working to enhance bilateral trade, setting up border markets and exploring barter trade to circumvent banking and currency restrictions. Sanctions and foreign exchange shortages remain key hurdles for Iran, making these alternative systems central to its trade strategy with Pakistan.

“The meeting reviewed ongoing cooperation across a range of sectors and discussed ways to further enhance economic and trade ties,” the foreign office said in a statement.

“The DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening engagement with Iran in key priority areas.”

In December, the foreign ministers of Iran and Pakistan vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and connectivity while working for regional peace.

Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian also visited Pakistan in August, during which both countries signed agreements to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2028.