KARACHI: The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) on Friday launched the second Global Cuisine Show in Karachi that showcased local ingredients and products in a bid to attract buyers from the Middle East and other parts of the world.
The three-day show is part of the TDAP’s International Food and Agricultural Exhibition 2024 and has brought together chefs from different parts of the world to prepare a diverse range of cuisines using Pakistani ingredients.
Culinary experts from Bahrain, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Maldives and Singapore took turns on the first day of the event at Expo Center Karachi to create recipes from their respective regions using Pakistani ingredients and the dishes were then served to those in attendance from various parts of the world.
“The Middle East is a very important location for us because our diaspora is in the region. Our major chunk of Agro food exports goes to the Middle East,” TDAP Assistant Manager Iqra Ilyas told Arab News on Friday.
“We have around 200 buyers coming from the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and all over the Gulf. We are looking forward to having more response from our Middle Eastern brothers.”
Chef Zahra Hussain from Bahrain said she was “very excited” to be a part of the show, and was in awe of the kind people and high-quality ingredients she witnessed in Pakistan.
“This is my first visit to Pakistan but it feels very familiar and friendly to me, because there are a lot of Pakistanis in Bahrain,” she said. “They are very kind. But here, they are not only kind but friendly, lovely and helpful people.”
Hussain said she intended to prepare something from the Arab culture, particularly traditional Bahraini food.
“I want to prepare something sweet because in Bahrain when we love somebody, we give them sweets and coffee better than the main dish. I will make sago [halwa],” she said.
“It aligns with the culture of Pakistan and India. They use cardamom, saffron and rosewater. So, I have to get close to your culture to bring it closer to our culture.”
The first edition of the Global Cuisine Show took place around the same time last year and at the same location.
All of the ingredients used in the recipes prepared by a lineup of 15 international chefs are from Pakistan, according to the show organizers. The chefs have only brought the recipes with them.
Ibrahim Ghoush, a chef from Egypt who currently works in Saudi Arabia, decided to make American-styled chewy cookies at the global show.
“I have come here to make some kind of Egyptian and international [food]. I am a professional baker but since I don’t have enough time to execute something from an artisan bakery, I decided to make cookies. They come easy, fast and tasty,” he told Arab News, assembling ingredients for the recipe.
Ghoush is known for innovation in European-style baked items, while he has also researched on the ancient Arab bread.
While these foreign chefs offered cuisines from their respective regions, Pakistani food stalls remained a major attraction for foreign delegates in attendance.
“It’s a very good event for marketing our food and our culture, it’s sort of food diplomacy for us,” TDAP Assistant Manager Ilyas said.
“Our basic purpose is to enhance agro-export, trade and the Global Cuisine Show is one of the tools that will help us achieve it. It helped us last year as well. We did have a lot of queries from the buyers. We are very hopeful that this will pave the way for our future agro food trade.”
Pakistan hopes to attract Middle East buyers as it holds Global Cuisine Show in Karachi
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Pakistan hopes to attract Middle East buyers as it holds Global Cuisine Show in Karachi
- The show brings together chefs from 15 countries to prepare a diverse range of cuisines using Pakistani ingredients
- Official says the event is part of Pakistan’s ‘food diplomacy’ and aims to boost export of local ingredients, products
Pakistani man accused of plot to attack New York Jewish center will contest extradition — lawyer
- Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was arrested in Canada earlier this month as he allegedly tried to enter the US
- US Justice Department accused Khan of plotting mass shooting at Jewish center in Brooklyn around Oct. 7 2024
TORONTO: A Pakistani man accused of plotting to attack a New York City Jewish center in support of Islamic State will contest his extradition hearing to the United States, his lawyer told Reuters.
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was arrested in Canada earlier this month as he allegedly tried to enter the US. He was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, namely Daesh, or Daesh.
The United States wants to extradite him.
“I have the mandate to contest the extradition hearing,” Khan’s lawyer, Gaetan Bourassa, told Reuters.
“He is a young person, arrested, and we will see what is their proof to ask to be extradited.”
He would not comment on the case without seeing evidence from the US, which has not yet been presented.
Khan was in Canada on a student visa, having entered the country in June 2023. His lawyer would not say what he was studying, or where.
The US Department of Justice accused Khan of plotting a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn around Oct. 7, 2024, about a year after Hamas’ attack in Israel which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to the US Department of Justice, Khan began posting his support for Daesh on an encrypted messaging application in November 2023. He allegedly communicated his attack plans to undercover agents.
Russian Deputy PM on two-day visit to Pakistan from tomorrow
- Islamabad last year started purchasing Russian crude oil at a discount
- Pakistan also received first shipment of LPG from Russia last September
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexey Overchuk, will arrive in Pakistan tomorrow, Wednesday, on a two-day visit accompanied by a high-level delegation, Radio Pakistan reported on Tuesday.
Islamabad last year started purchasing Russian crude oil at a discount as high prices caused by geopolitical tensions have caused fuel prices to more than double in Pakistan. Pakistan also received its first shipment of liquified petroleum gas from Russia last September, marking Islamabad’s second major Russian energy purchase.
“Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk will hold meetings with the President, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan,” Radio Pakistan said about the Russian deputy PM’s Islamabad visit.
In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan and Russia enjoyed “cordial relations based on goodwill, amity and trust, which is reflected in the multi-faceted bilateral cooperation including in trade, energy and connectivity.”
Energy imports make up the majority of Pakistan’s external payments and discounted imports from Russia offer a respite as Islamabad faces an economic crisis. It is targeting 100,000 bpd of imports from Russia, compared with the total 154,000 bpd of crude it imported in 2022, in the hopes that will lower its import bill, address a foreign exchange crisis and keep a lid on inflation.
However, the benefits are being offset by increased shipping costs and lower quality refined products compared with the fuels produced with crude from Pakistan’s main suppliers, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
As a long-standing Western ally and the arch-rival of neighboring India, which historically is closer to Moscow, analysts say the crude deal would have been difficult for Pakistan to accept, but its financing needs are great.
After Pakistan win, buoyant Bangladesh seek more history in India Test series
- 2-0 sweep in Pakistan sparked celebrations at home a month after political turmoil and deadly protests ousted PM Hasina
- Series in India is daunting prospect as Bangladesh have never won any of their 13 previous matches, losing 11 and drawing two
CHENNAI, India: Fresh from their first-ever Test series win over Pakistan, Bangladesh will chase more cricket history when they face India in Chennai from Thursday.
The 2-0 sweep in Pakistan sparked celebrations at home a month after political turmoil and deadly protests in Bangladesh ousted the autocratic former premier.
But a two-Test series in India is a far more daunting prospect — Bangladesh have never won any of their 13 previous matches, losing 11 and drawing two.
Both draws came at home, at Chittagong in 2007 and Fatullah in 2015.
“This will be a challenging series for us,” visiting skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said ahead of the first Test.
“But after having a good series against Pakistan, there is an extra confidence in our team, as well as among all the people of the country.”
India will be strong favorites to sweep the series but Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz all head to Chennai in good form.
Mushfiqur amassed 216 in the Pakistan series while off-spinner Mehidy was the leading bowler with 10 wickets in the two matches.
The shadow of political troubles looms over the matches in Chennai and Kanpur.
Star player Shakib, 37, is a former lawmaker from the ousted ruling party of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
She fled a student-led revolution, escaping to India by helicopter as protesters marched on her palace, ending 15 years of iron-fisted rule.
Shakib faces a case of alleged murder, accused of culpability in the police killing of protesters.
The left-hander, who bats in the middle-order and bowls spin, went back to England to play county cricket for Surrey after having a key role in Bangladesh’s success in Pakistan.
His national teammates have rallied around him.
“As for Shakib, I am hopeful that he will do well,” Najmul said.
“He has been in good form with the ball.”
Bangladesh unveiled a new pace sensation in Nahid Rana in Pakistan, where the right-arm bowler clocked speeds of more than 146 kph (90 mph).
Uncapped wicketkeeper Jaker Ali comes into the squad in place of fast bowler Shoriful Islam, who pulled out with a groin injury.
Rohit Sharma will look to India’s experienced slow bowling trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel to test Bangladesh’s batting on pitches that are expected to favor the spinners.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack while Mohammed Shami recovers from ankle surgery.
India welcome back wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant to the Test squad for the first time since he nearly lost his life in a car crash in December 2022.
Pant, an attacking left-handed batsman, is expected to replace Dhruv Jurel behind the stumps.
Virat Kohli is also back for his first Test since facing South Africa at Cape Town in January, having missed India’s 4-1 home series win against England for the birth of his second child.
New head coach Gautam Gambhir takes charge of India in a Test for the first time.
After Chennai, the second Test begins in Kanpur on September 27 with both part of the World Test Championship. India lead the current standings ahead of Australia.
The Tests are followed by a three-match Twenty20 series starting in Gwalior on October 6, moving to New Delhi three days later and finishing in Hyderabad on October 12.
Police, health officials removed after Pakistan polio vaccinator says she was raped on duty
- Incident occurred in Allah Baksh Jakhrani village of Jacobabad, with vaccinator telling a court she was raped while on duty
- Deputy Commissioner, Senior Superintendent of Police, District Health Officer in Jacobabad removed from positions
KARACHI: The government of the southern Sindh province said on Tuesday it had removed senior police and health officials in response to accusations of rape by a polio vaccinator in the Jacobabad district.
The incident occurred in the Allah Baksh Jakhrani village of Jacobabad, with the polio vaccinator testifying before a local court last week that she was raped while on duty.
“The Sindh Government has taken strict action following the reported negligence in the security and arrangements for polio workers in Jacobabad,” the government said in a statement.
“As a result, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jacobabad, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jacobabad, and the District Health Officer (DHO) Jacobabad have been removed from their positions.”
On Monday, Provincial Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho took notice of the alleged rape and instructed police to provide her round-the-clock security.
“Our female polio workers are the backbone of the polio program and protecting them has always been the utmost priority of the program,” Dr. Pechuho said. “I am taking every necessary action to ensure that she gets the justice she deserves.”
On Sept. 9, Pakistan launched a week-long, nationwide polio vaccine campaign as the disease has spread this year beyond its traditional hot spots to areas once largely untouched by the virus.
Last week, health officials reported the first polio case in the capital, Islamabad, in 16 years. Since January, Pakistan has reported 17 new cases of polio.
One of only two countries in the world where the virus remains endemic, Pakistan recorded no new infections for a little over a year starting in 2021, the longest virus-free stretch the country had ever experienced.
Anti-polio campaigns in Pakistan are regularly marred by violence as militants target vaccination teams and police assigned to protect them, claiming that the campaigns are a Western conspiracy to sterilize children.
Pakistani PM says consultations to continue with all political parties on controversial constitutional amendments
- Government on Monday postponed tabling amendments on superior judges’ tenure, process of chief justice’s appointment
- Opposition parties, prominent jurists have rejected the proposals, saying they would abolish the trichotomy of power in country
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday consultations would continue with all political parties on a controversial constitutional amendment package after his coalition government postponed tabling the legislation amid outcry from opposition parties and the Pakistani legal fraternity.
The proposed amendments, an official copy of which has not been released by the government but partially leaked to the press, aim to establish a federal constitutional court, raise the retirement age of Supreme Court judges and modify the process for the appointment of the chief justice of Pakistan, among other changes to the constitution.
Opposition parties, lawyers, former judges and independent experts have widely said the amendments are aimed at increasing the government’s power in making key judicial appointments and will change the separation of powers in the South Asian nation of 240 million.
On Monday, the coalition government admitted it could not secure the required 224 votes, a two-thirds majority, needed to pass the amendments.
“Ongoing consultations with all political parties regarding the constitutional amendment will continue,” Radio Pakistan quoted Sharif as saying after he met a delegation from coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party, which called on him in Islamabad under the leadership of Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
“During the meeting, it was agreed that Bhutto Zardari and other senior party leadership will play their due role in this consultation process. It was further agreed to engage political parties and hold consultation with them to reach any conclusion in the days to come.”
Sharif said amending the constitution and passing legislation were within the purview of parliament, which had been entrusted to do so by the 240 million people of Pakistan.
“He said the purpose of the proposed constitutional amendment is to ensure speedy and effective delivery of justice to the masses,” Radio Pakistan concluded.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party of jailed former premier Imran Khan has said the amendments are meant above all to grant an extension to incumbent Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is widely believed to be aligned with the ruling coalition led by Sharif and in opposition to its chief rival, the PTI. PTI founder Khan has threatened nationwide protests against the reforms. The government denies the amendments are “individual-specific.”
Speaking in the National Assembly on Monday, Law Minister Tarar said the draft of amendments had not yet been presented before the cabinet as required under the constitution, and asked opposition parties to give “positive recommendations” instead of undue criticism.
“A special parliamentary committee has been made, which included members of all political parties, so all are invited to bring suggestions in this regard to the committee,” Tarar said.
Prominent lawyers, including Abid Zuberi, Shafqat Mehmood Chauhan, Shahab Sarki, Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan and Munir Kakar, on Monday filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the proposed amendments.
“Through the instant petition the petitioners seek to challenge the vires of the proposed constitutional package,” they stated in the petition.
“The proposed bill puts forth proposed amendments to the constitution that would transfer the vested powers of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the high courts of Pakistan as granted by the constitution to the executive and entirely annihilate the principles of independence of judiciary and suppression of power.”
Munir A Malik, a former attorney general of Pakistan who was a key leader of the 2007 street movement to restore the Supreme Court chief justice removed by then military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, said the proposed amendments would abolish the trichotomy of power — executive, legislature and judiciary — under the constitution.
“We will have a judiciary subservient to the executive and this is a frontal assault on the judicial system and the independence of the judiciary,” he told Arab News.
“I think every lawyer who believes in the rule of law will stand up against any such step which undermines the independence of the judiciary.”
