Latest news with #AbdulGhafoor
Arab News
04-08-2025
- Arab News
Pakistan sets up new forensic lab to strengthen FIA's documentary, financial and digital crime probes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has established a new Directorate of Forensic Lab within its Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to enhance its capacity to examine digital equipment, travel documents and probe financial fraud cases, an FIA spokesperson said on Monday. The FIA is Pakistan's premier investigative agency responsible for handling a wide range of national and transnational crimes, including cybercrime, human trafficking, immigration violations, financial fraud, militancy and corruption. Within the agency, investigators faced challenges including outdated tools, limited funding, and a lack of advanced hardware and software for forensic investigations, according to officials. The agency previously outsourced forensic analyzes, particularly of documents, digital media and banking frauds, to the overburdened Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) or regional labs, leading to delayed results. 'Restructuring process continues in FIA as a new Directorate of Forensic Lab [has been] established at the headquarters of the agency,' FIA spokesperson Abdul Ghafoor told Arab News, adding the new facility would enhance the FIA's forensic examination capabilities and modernize its investigative process. 'The forensic lab will allow for detailed forensic examination of travel documents as the directorate is equipped with advanced technological tools and facilities.' With the increasing use of mobile phones and laptops in crimes, Ghafoor said, forensic analysis of gadgets has become essential to obtain verified data and present it as evidence in court. 'Digital forensics of mobile phones and laptops used by suspects will be conducted using state-of-the-art equipment and also fingerprint analysis of suspects will also be possible [through the lab],' he added. The directorate has been equipped with a geo-fencing system and represents a significant step toward establishing a modern and effective investigation system, according to the official. It will also provide technical support in investigating banking fraud cases. Top former FIA officials believe establishing the new forensic directorate was a 'long-overdue step' and it will help FIA investigations by enabling reliable digital evidence collection in both cyber and financial crime domains. 'This was a long-overdue step as manual methods of analysis have more possibility of error margins and inconsistent results, which hampered the progress of investigations,' Ammar Jaffery, a former FIA director-general, told Arab News. He said digital forensic capabilities were critical in today's complex crime landscape, which ranges from cybercrime to document forgery. 'This new directorate will not only ensure accurate and timely analysis but will also strengthen the agency's ability to gather admissible evidence, and support prosecution,' Jaffery added. Bashir Memon, another former FIA DG, said mobile devices were now central to most criminal investigations, including those of extortion, harassment and militancy. 'Without proper digital forensic tools, crucial evidence often remained hidden or was challenged in court,' he told Arab News. 'The new forensic directorate enables precise mobile data extraction, call pattern analysis, and geo-fencing, which are essential for building strong, court-admissible cases.' In cases of financial and bank frauds, Memon said, traditional investigation methods were insufficient to trace digital footprints, track money trails, or verify forged documents. 'With the digital forensic lab equipped with the modern technology, FIA can now authenticate financial records, detect manipulated transactions, and verify identities linked to fake accounts or forged passports vastly improving outcomes in white-collar crime cases,' he added.
India Gazette
17-06-2025
- India Gazette
Rajasthan: First batch of 164 Hajj pilgrims return from Saudi Arabia
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India] June 17 (ANI): The return of pilgrims from the sacred Hajj 2025 journey has begun in Rajasthan. On Tuesday, a flight carrying 164 pilgrims, including 81 women and 83 men, touched down at Terminal 1 of the Sanganer International Airport in Jaipur. The pilgrims, who completed the Hajj pilgrimage, were welcomed by officials, members of the Rajasthan State Hajj Committee, and family members. This first flight arrived from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is part of 17 flights scheduled to bring back pilgrims until June 29. Each flight has a capacity of 165 passengers. While speaking to ANI, Fattu Khan, from Alwar, a pilgrim expressed satisfaction, stating, 'It was very good, it was excellent. People are saying that for the first time, the arrangements have been so good, and the air conditioning worked well throughout the journey. We heard that it's very hot, but we didn't feel it at all.' 'It was a very good journey. Everyone got good facilities there, and the journey was good. It is a matter of great pleasure,' another pilgrim from Alwar added. Some of the pilgrims expressed that they prayed for peace in the world due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. 'We prayed for peace. Especially for our country. May peace be maintained in our country and in the rest of the world.' Abdul Ghafoor, a hajj pilgrim, said. Earlier, after smoke was detected from a Saudia Airlines plane that landed at Lucknow airport, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) rushed to the spot and made sure that the smoke was contained and damage to the aircraft averted, Lucknow airport officials said on Monday. According to officials, no injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred on the morning of June 15. The passengers were safely disembarked, and there was no impact on airport flight was returning from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, carrying Hajj pilgrims. Smoke and sparks were detected on the plane's wheels shortly after it landed and while it was on the taxiway. In Islam, it is obligatory for every individual to fulfill five duties (pillars), of which Hajj is one. This year, the Hajj was performed between June 4 and June 9 in Saudi Arabia. The first batch of annual Hajj pilgrims from India started from early May itself. According to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, a total of 1,22,518 hajj pilgrims undertook the sacred journey, with the first flights taking off from Lucknow and Hyderabad itself. (ANI)
Arab Times
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Arabi exits the AFC Challenge League after a heavy defeat to Arkadag
ASHGABAT, April 16: Al-Arabi bowed out of the AFC Challenge League after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Turkmenistan's Arkadag in the second leg of the semi-finals, at the latter's home ground. Despite entering the match with a 2-0 lead from the first leg, secured through goals by Hamza Khaba and Salman Al-Awadhi, the "Greens" failed to maintain their advantage. Coach Nasser Al-Shatti fielded a lineup that included Suleiman Abdul Ghafoor in goal, a backline of Hamad Al-Qallaf, Hassan Hamdan, Sofiane Bouchar, and Jumaa Aboud, with Kamil Al-Aswad, Hussein Ashkanani, and Ali Khalaf in midfield, and Hamza Khaba, Wanayo Iwala, and Christopher John up front. Disaster struck early for Al-Arabi when defender Hassan Hamdan suffered an injury in the first minute following a rough challenge. Play was paused for five minutes before Hamdan was stretchered off, and Mohammed Khaled came on as his replacement. Arkadag capitalized on the disruption, scoring its opening goal in the 7th minute through Shenzar Turkishov, who fired a powerful shot into the bottom left corner past Abdul Ghafoor. Al-Arabi tried to respond with attacking efforts, but they struggled to break through Arkadag's organized defense. Meanwhile, the home team continued to threaten with aerial balls and crosses, keeping the pressure on until halftime. In the second half, Arkadag maintained its dominance. They doubled their lead in the 58th minute when substitute Anadiev pounced on a rebound from Turkishov's shot that hit both the post and Abdul Ghafoor before slotting it home. Seven minutes later, Bazgilich Gurbanov nearly made it 3-0, but Abdul Ghafoor produced a crucial save. Al-Shatti then brought on Youssef Majed and Salman Al-Awadhi in an attempt to turn the tide. Al-Arabi's performance improved, and they created several chances, including a clear one-on-one opportunity for Al-Awadhi in the 88th minute, but Rustam Ahaliev blocked the shot. Arkadag sealed the match just before the final whistle, when Anadiev sent in a low cross that Turkishov tapped into the net unmarked, completing his brace and confirming Al-Arabi's elimination from the tournament.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bradford traders hope for brighter future at Darley Street market
Independent traders in Bradford say they hope the city's long-delayed new market can transform their ailing fortunes after what they see as years of to be a key part of Bradford city centre's regeneration, Darley Street Market was originally scheduled to open in June 2023 but remains a work in council has insisted it will open in 2025 - Bradford's City of Culture year - replacing the outdated Oastler and Kirkgate markets with a more modern have now begun their final preparations, and say the move can't come soon enough. Both the Oastler and Kirkgate markets appear to be in a state of decline when the BBC visits shortly after opening on a chilly Tuesday located within the shopping centre of the same name, is largely deserted. More than half of traders are estimated to have vacated their stalls and those left easily outnumber the number of customers browsing."Sometimes there's not enough money to pay staff," admits Osman Ince, who sells leather goods including wallets, handbags and who is originally from Turkey, has traded in the market since red signs advertising a clearance sale are dotted around his stall, but there are very few passers-by to see them. 'It's dead here' Around us, the hustle and bustle you might expect to fill the space has been replaced by a dated music playlist."It's dead here," he in 1976, Kirkgate Shopping Centre was once Bradford's main shopping hub and remains a popular example of Brutalist local authority plans to tear it down, along with the nearby Oastler Shopping Centre, to make way for the City Village development, with many traders heading to the new, purpose-built Darley Street Market.A council spokesperson says City Village would be "a transformational regeneration programme, which alongside delivering 1,000 new homes, will also create independent retail and leisure opportunities, business spaces, and high-quality public realm". On the other side of the market hall, Abdul Ghafoor's mobile phone stall is just as quiet, although he is "optimistic" about the future at Darley Street."Everything's going to be open from nine to five, all the shops are occupied," he says."Since The Broadway opened, it's affected us with the bigger shops moving."Mr Ghafoor's business has been run by his family for 21 years. He recalls them paying "close to six figures" for the plot "back in the day", but says they have been given rent discounts in recent years to help with the drop-off in footfall."We are talking about probably 80% less footfall," he says. Jim Fewtrell, who runs a neighbouring stall selling perfume, says the market has "died" because people "generally assume it's shut"."Businesses here have gone out of business because of the delay and the footfall going."The council are trying, but it hasn't been good for my business. I'm sympathetic but frustrated."Mr Fewtrell, who has been trading in Kirkgate Market since 1998, says he currently breaks even, "if that", and admits his business is "hanging in" until Darley Street admits he considered mothballing it until that point, with an new opening date still unknown."What it won't stand is delaying for another year, everyone will have gone by then."Our biggest fear is yet more delay. It's supposed to be City of Culture but half the shops aren't even open," adds the 59-year-old."We are going to see how it goes in Darley Street. Hopefully it will see us through to retirement." While Darley Street offers hope for some, not every trader has been so Wonzer, a tailor originally from South Sudan, is on the waiting list for a stall there and unsure what the future holds."My life depends on this," he says from behind his sewing machine."I don't have any place to go. I don't want to depend on benefits, I have to work."The council spokesperson says they will "continue to support the small number of remaining tenants to either find new premises or be compensated if appropriate". Meanwhile, over in the nearby Oastler Shopping Centre, footfall appears to be a only sound in the entrance foyer is a jingle coming from a claw machine, with shutters down on many of the units on the dimly lit shop floor."It's taken way to long for us to actually get into this market," says one trader, who described the ongoing delays as "a nightmare"."Everything has been regenerated towards the bottom end of town. We have had changes to public transport routes, numerous roadworks, which has all caused a detrimental effect to the small business at the top end of town."It's been very stressful for us having to try and stay afloat when you have got hardly any footfall. Markets thrive on footfall."There seems to be a silver lining. We seem to be at the final hurdle now."A council spokesperson says they are "working hard with contractors and traders on the final stage of fit-out".They did not provide a date for reopening, but add that they "hope to be in a position to make an announcement about the opening shortly". Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
