Latest news with #EXPRESS
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
First Eid train departs from Karachi
Passengers board an Eid special train with their luggage at Karachi Cantt Station. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS With Eidul Azha around the corner, Pakistan Railways flagged off its first special train from Karachi Cantt Station to Lahore on Monday, sending hundreds of homebound passengers on their way with smiles and suitcases in tow. The emotional pull of reuniting with loved ones lit up weary faces as passengers boarded amid a flurry of activity. According to railway officials, the first special train comprises one business class coach, one AC standard coach, eight economy class coaches, and one power van, accommodating around 700 passengers. The train will make scheduled stops at nine major stations during its journey: Hyderabad, Rohri, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan, Sahiwal, Okara and Kot Lakhpat. Passengers, expressing delight, said the journey offered them a long-awaited opportunity to visit their native towns and meet relatives, describing it as a "blessing after a long time". The divisional superintendent (DS) of Pakistan Railways Karachi Division, Mehmood-ur-Rehman Lakho, visited the platform to inspect the travel arrangements aboard the special train. He said more special trains will be dispatched in the coming days to facilitate as many travellers as possible during the Eid holidays. Meanwhile, the federal government has announced a major Eid relief, setting a special discount on train fares for the three days of Eidul Azha. Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, speaking to the media, confirmed that Pakistan Railways will operate five special Eid trains to accommodate the holiday rush. He also reiterated the government's commitment to upholding all agreements made with the media. Abbasi said Pakistan Railways had achieved notable progress in its 77-year history, particularly over the last eleven months. "Railways has performed exceptionally well during this period," he added. The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to generate revenue from leased railway properties and said that Royal Palm is being outsourced in line with the prime minister's vision. "The bidding process will be transparent, and all bids will be opened publicly," he said.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Haripur's youth sparks digital uplift
At only 25, Hassan Nisar emerges as one of the most prominent youth voices in Pakistan's digital transformation. PHOTO: EXPRESS A young tech leader from Haripur is spearheading a grassroots revolution in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, empowering thousands of young Pakistanis through education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. At only 25, Hassan Nisar has emerged as one of the most prominent youth voices in Pakistan's digital transformation. Hailing from the scenic town of Khanpur in Haripur district, Hassan is the founder of Metrix Pakistan - a non-profit organisation that has rapidly grown into a major catalyst for tech education and economic inclusion across K-P's underserved areas. Having completed his early education in Abbottabad and earned a degree in Economics from the University of Haripur, Hassan's journey reflects both a personal and professional commitment to his roots. "There's immense potential in K-P's youth - we just needed to unlock it," he shared. Launched in 2022, Metrix Pakistan was born out of a desire to bridge the digital divide. In less than three years, the initiative has brought practical training in digital skills, freelancing, and entrepreneurship to thousands of students across the province - many from remote or marginalised communities. "Our goal wasn't just to educate, but to prepare students for real-world opportunities," Hassan said. "We've trained young people to develop portfolios, work on live projects, and land internships or jobs in Pakistan and beyond." Crucially, the organisation has focused on regions often overlooked by mainstream initiatives. From Lower Dir to Mansehra, Metrix Pakistan has hosted summits and workshops in districts that rarely see such activity, creating local access to global knowledge. But Hassan's efforts extend beyond education. He's brought major global tech players into the fold, with companies like Binance, Bitget, CoinEx, and even Microsoft participating in Metrix Pakistan-led events and mentorship programmes. These collaborations have introduced emerging fields like blockchain and Web3 to youth in K-P - industries previously inaccessible to most in the region. "There was a time when the idea of global companies engaging in K-P was unthinkable. Now, they're not just participating - they're investing," Hassan said. Dozens of students trained under Metrix Pakistan have already entered the blockchain workforce, secured freelance contracts, or launched early-stage ventures. "We've shown that with the right platform, youth in K-P can compete at the global level," he added. Outside the digital sphere, Hassan has also led environmental and health initiatives. His discovery of hidden waterfalls in Haripur turned into a sustainable tourism push, generating local jobs and boosting the economy. Additionally, his team has conducted free health camps in rural K-P, addressing basic healthcare gaps in neglected areas. Recognising his contributions, various civil society organisations and government departments have honoured him with accolades including the Fakhre Hazara Award and a regional recognition award for youth empowerment. More recently, Hassan launched the Metrix Pakistan Climate Change Summit series, engaging young people in climate activism. "The climate crisis is real, and our youth want to be part of the solution," he emphasised. Hassan has also advised provincial and federal authorities on youth engagement, digital empowerment, and social platforms, working closely with departments in both Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. A key part of his advocacy has focused on combating misinformation and digital harassment. Through strategic partnerships and platform outreach, Hassan has helped numerous women in Pakistan report and remove fake accounts used for impersonation or harassment.
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab home department urges public not to donate eid hides to banned organisations
Children delight in the company of a sacrificial animal in Islamabad on the eve of Eidul Azha. PHOTO: ZAFAR RAJA/EXPRESS Listen to article Punjab Home Department has issued a strong advisory urging citizens not to donate sacrificial animal hides to banned organisations or their affiliates ahead of Eidul Azha. The department has released a list of over 70 proscribed groups and stressed that aiding them—financially or materially—is a punishable offence under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. 'Assisting entities involved in terrorism or anti-state activities is not only a threat to national security but can also result in legal consequences for individuals,' the spokesperson warned. Citizens have been instructed to donate hides only to charities registered with the Punjab Charity Commission. Verification can be done using QR codes found on official certificates issued to authorised organisations. Seminaries and welfare institutions seeking to collect hides must obtain a valid no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Deputy Commissioner's office. Only groups with legitimate permits issued by either the DC or the Charity Commission are permitted to operate. Among the banned groups named are Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-e-Muhammad, Jaish-e-Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Daesh (ISIS), Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, Al-Akhtar Trust, Al-Rasheed Trust, Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and others. Read: Govt to present 2025-26 budget after Eidul Adha The department has called on parents, mosque administrators, seminaries, and NGOs to remain vigilant and help safeguard national interests. Citizens are advised to report any suspicious hide collection by banned groups via the police emergency number 15. Official lists of registered charities can be accessed through the Punjab Home Department, Punjab Charity Commission, and NACTA websites. The federal government has declared a four-day public holiday for Eidul Azha, scheduled to begin on Friday, June 6, and will extend through to Monday, June 9. According to Express News, all government and private offices, educational institutions, and banks across the country will remain closed during the holidays. The decision is in line with the celebration of Eidul Azha, which is a major religious festival in Pakistan. The announcement was preceded by sighting of moon on May 27 by Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said that the first day of Eidul Azha will be celebrated across Pakistan on June 7.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Govt bans temporary mechanical rides
The step is being taken to avoid any untoward incident. PHOTO: EXPRESS The Punjab government has banned temporarily installed mechanical rides during the Eidul Azha holiday. According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department, the ban applies to mechanical rides that are set up temporarily during the holidays. Mechanical rides permanently installed in amusement parks across the province are exempt from the ban with a condition to get the fitness certificates from the deputy commissioners. Under the directives issued by the department, the district administrations will verify that every mechanical ride meets all necessary safety standards before issuing the certificate. The spokesperson clarified that the decision to ban temporary and mobile mechanical rides had been made to protect lives. During the Eid holidays, a large number of citizens, especially children, use the rides. Temporary rides often fail to meet security protocols and pose a threat to citizens due to overloading. The ban will remain in effect throughout the Eid holidays.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Pindi's cinema era fades into history
Rose Cinema, once a bustling hub of film and community life in Rawalpindi, stands in stark contrast to its present-day ruins. The left image captures its vibrant heyday; the right reveals the silent aftermath. PHOTOS: EXPRESS With the recent demolition of the iconic Rose Cinema, established in 1926 during the British era, Rawalpindi has witnessed the symbolic end of a vibrant chapter in its cultural and cinematic history. Once a hallmark of the city's thriving film scene from the 1960s to the early 2000s, the destruction of this nearly century-old cinema marks the final blow to the city's once-flourishing film industry. Located in the heart of the city near Raja Bazaar, Rose Cinema was built on land donated by a wealthy Hindu philanthropist, Bhimas Ram. Adjacent to the District Headquarters Hospital, the cinema was conceived with a clear purpose: to provide accessible entertainment to labourers and workers from the surrounding 30 wholesale markets and trade centres after a hard day's work. It succeeded for over four decades, particularly as a hub for Punjabi films, drawing large crowds of working-class moviegoers. It was not just a place of entertainment but a cultural landmark, often enjoying "sold-out weeks" with massive queues for tickets. At its peak, Rawalpindi boasted 24 cinema houses. These included notable names such as Naz, Shabistan, Gulistan, Kahkashan, Shaheen, PAF, Moti Mahal, Rialto, and Sangeet along the Faizabad-Marrir Chowk route. In the inner city, cinemas like Nadir, Khursheed, Rose, Nishat, Imperial, Taj Mahal, and Novelty thrived, while Saddar was home to Ciros, Odeon, Plaza, and Capital. In other areas, there were Tasveer Mahal in Lalkurti, and Rex, Garrison, and Qasim Cinema near the Qasim Airbase in Dhamial. For decades, these cinemas offered more than just films. They supported a parallel economy, offering part-time jobs to thousands. After their day jobs, people would run food stalls, manage ticket counters, or work security. Cinema projectionists held full-time positions, and skilled artists hand-painted film posters and signboardsan art that has now vanished. In parallel, Rawalpindi's Liaquat Hall, a grand auditorium in Liaquat Bagh, served as the epicentre of theatrical performances. Securing a slot there was considered a guaranteed success for any stage production. Iconic performers like Moin Akhtar, Qavi Khan, Masood Akhtar, Roohi Bano, Agha Talish, Umer Sharif, and Ismail Tara brought the stage to life, often drawing family audiences in large numbers. Women made up the majority of attendees during the golden years of family-oriented stage dramas. However, as the years went by, things began to unravel. Crass humour and vulgar dialogues alienated families, who once formed the backbone of the theatre audience. The advent of VCRs, the flood of international dramas, social media, and a decline in film quality gradually pushed cinemas and stage plays into obscurity. Once a thriving industry with long booking queues for new film releases and stage shows, Rawalpindi now finds itself devoid of any meaningful cinema culture. Of the original 24 cinemas, nine have been converted into commercial plazas, four into wedding halls, seven are permanently closed, and four have been demolishedawaiting new construction. The art of painting movie billboards, once a proud tradition, has also disappeared. Today, only a few cinemas remain, occasionally hosting stage plays, most of which fade quickly due to lack of quality and interest. With the fall of Rose Cinema, Rawalpindi's cinematic legacy has, in many ways, reached its final scene.
