ISLAMABAD: The Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, praised a female Pakistani police officer for her timely intervention that saved a woman surrounded by an enraged blasphemy mob in the eastern city of Lahore, extending a royal invitation to her for a visit to the kingdom.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shehrbano Naqvi received widespread acclaim from politicians, officials and the general public after a social media video showed her rescuing a woman wearing a dress with Arabic inscriptions, which some people mistook for verses from the Holy Qur’an.
Naqvi, who safely extracted the woman from the crowd, later clarified that the dress bore no sacred inscriptions, featuring only the Arabic word “halwa.”
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency, during a meeting at the embassy, the Saudi envoy commended Naqvi’s selfless devotion that defused the volatile situation.
He also extended an invitation to her to visit the kingdom.
“The Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan praised the bravery of the police officer and assured her that the Saudi government would cover the expenses of her and her family’s trip to Saudi Arabia as honored guests,” reported the APP.
Independent Urdu, quoting an embassy spokesperson, revealed that Naqvi, along with her family, would be visiting Riyadh as royal guests before performing Hajj.
Prior to her meeting with the Saudi diplomat, Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir also invited Naqvi to his office to commend her dedication.
In the past, blasphemy charges have triggered mob lynchings in the country, with politicians assassinated, lawyers murdered and students killed over unverified accusations.
Saudi ambassador honors Pakistani policewoman for heroic rescue, offers royal invitation to kingdom
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Saudi ambassador honors Pakistani policewoman for heroic rescue, offers royal invitation to kingdom
- ASP Shehrbano Naqvi safely extracted a woman from an enraged blasphemy mob in Lahore last month
- She received widespread acclaim from the general public and was also praised by Pakistan’s army chief
Saudi Arabia leads Pakistan’s foreign remittances for January as inflows surge by 15.4%
- Pakistan received $3.5 billion in remittances in January, with Saudi Arabia leading inflows with $739.6 million
- Foreign remittances are crucial in increasing Pakistan’s foreign reserves, stabilizing cash-strapped nation’s currency
KARACHI: Pakistan received $3.5 billion in foreign remittances in January 2026, the central bank said on Tuesday, with Saudi Arabia once again leading the inflows that Islamabad considers crucial to ensure economic stability.
Foreign remittances are key for cash-strapped Pakistan as they increase foreign reserves, cushion the country’s current account and stabilize the national currency.
As per data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), foreign remittances increased 15.4% on a year-on-year basis in January 2026.
“Workers’ remittances recorded an inflow of $3.5 billion during January 2026,” the SBP said in a statement.
It added that cumulatively, with an inflow of $23.2 billion remittances increased by 11.3% during the July-January period of the current fiscal year. Last year, Pakistan reported receiving $20.9 billion during the same period.
Saudi Arabia remained the top source of foreign remittances in January with inflows recorded at $739.6 million, followed by the UAE with $694.2 million. The UK reported the third-highest inflows at $572.1 million while remittances from the USA totaled $294.7 million in January.
According to SBP data, remittances reached a record $38.3 billion in fiscal year 2024-25, up from about $30.3 billion the year before, reflecting strong labor migration to Gulf countries and improved formal banking channels.
Millions of Pakistanis work abroad in Gulf countries, Europe and USA, sending money to their families in Pakistan to support them financially. Islamabad has attempted to take advantage of this development in recent years, encouraging the use of formal channels and cracking down on illegal money transfer systems such as hawala and hundi.
