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Kuwait Times
18 minutes ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Zain, Lei Wa Lakom partner to promote financial awareness
KUWAIT: Zain Kuwait has announced a new strategic partnership with Lei Wa Lakom, a non-profit initiative dedicated to empowering individuals through financial awareness, knowledge sharing, and community development. This partnership reflects the alignment of both parties' visions in advancing sustainability and community empowerment on both local and regional levels. The agreement was signed at Zain's headquarters in Shuwaikh, joined by Waleed Al-Khashti, Chief Corporate Affairs and Relations Officer at Zain Kuwait, and Taiba Al-Humaidhi, Founder of Lei Wa Lakom, alongside the Zain team. Commenting on the occasion, Waleed Al-Khashti said: 'At Zain, we believe that knowledge is power, and that financial empowerment is one of the keys to building stable communities and sustainable economies. Our partnership with Lei Wa Lakom falls under our sustainability strategy and reflects our deep commitment to supporting initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities.' Taiba Al-Humaidhi expressed her pride in the collaboration, saying: 'We're delighted to have Zain join us on our journey. The alignment in values and vision between us strengthens our ability to reach wider segments of society and to help build communities that are more aware, educated, and equipped to face economic challenges.' KUWAIT: Waleed Al-Khashti and Taiba Al-Humaidhi announce the partnership. The partnership aims to support a number of impactful initiatives led by Lei Wa Lakom, foremost among them the Financial Education Program, which includes engaging workshops and a digital interactive tool that promotes continuous learning. The program is also developing a national Financial Literacy Index, supported by academic partners including the London School of Economics. In addition, the partnership supports knowledge-based and cultural initiatives such as the Sidra platform, which spotlights intellectual leadership in the Gulf region, and an innovative animated awareness series to be broadcast on Kuwait TV and digital platforms to raise awareness about financial literacy among a wider audience. As part of Zain's commitment to supporting education beyond borders, the partnership also includes the Zanzibar Library Project, through which Lei Wa Lakom is establishing a library and cultural center in the heart of Zanzibar. The project will serve more than 200 families and includes a comprehensive library, a Holy Quran recitation center, and a water well, creating an integrated educational and spiritual environment that enhances quality of life and provides the tools for knowledge and growth. This partnership falls within Zain's broader commitment to social responsibility, with a focus on youth empowerment, education, and inclusive development, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Kuwait's New Vision to invest in human capital.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Viral 'honour' killing in Balochistan triggers national outrage
KARACHI: A viral video of the "honour killing" of a woman and her lover in Balochistan has ignited national outrage, prompting scrutiny of long-standing tribal codes and calls for justice in a country where such killings often pass in silence. While hundreds of so-called honour killings are reported in Pakistan each year, often with little public or legal response, the video of a woman and man accused of adultery being taken to the desert by a group of men to be killed has struck a nerve. The video shows the woman, Bano Bibi, being handed a Holy Quran by a man identified by police as her brother. "Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me," she says, and she walks forward a few feet and stops with her back to the men. The brother, Jalal Satakzai, then shoots her three times and she collapses. Seconds later he shoots and kills the man, Ehsan Ullah Samalani, whom Bano was accused of having an affair with. Once the video of the killings in Balochistan province went viral, it brought swift government action and condemnation from politicians, rights groups and clerics. Civil rights lawyer Jibran Nasir said, though, the government's response was more about performance than justice. "The crime occurred months ago, not in secrecy but near a provincial capital, yet no one acted until 240 million witnessed the killing on camera," he said. "This isn't a response to a crime. It's a response to a viral moment." Police have arrested 16 people in Nasirabad district, including a tribal chief and the woman's mother. The mother, Gul Jan Bibi, said the killings were carried out by family and local elders based on "centuries-old Baloch traditions", and not on the orders of the tribal chief. "We did not commit any sin," she said in a video statement that also went viral. "Bano and Ehsan were killed according to our customs." She said her daughter, who had three sons and two daughters, had run away with Ehsan and returned after 25 days. Police said Bano's younger brother, who shot the couple, remains at large. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said it was a "test" case and vowed to dismantle the illegal tribal courts operating outside the law. Police had earlier said a jirga, an informal tribal council that issues extrajudicial rulings, had ordered the killings. #JusticeForCouple The video sparked online condemnation, with hashtags like #JusticeForCouple and #HonourKilling trending. The Pakistan Ulema Council, a body of religious scholars, called the killings "un-Islamic" and urged terrorism charges against those involved. Dozens of civil society members and rights activists staged a protest on Saturday in the provincial capital Quetta, demanding justice and an end to parallel justice systems. "Virality is a double-edged sword," said Arsalan Khan, a cultural anthropologist and professor who studies gender and masculinity. "It can pressure the state into action, but public spectacle can also serve as a strategy to restore ghairat, or perceived family honour, in the eyes of the community." "In a country where conviction rates often fall to single digits, visibility - and the uproar it brings - has its advantages," said constitutional lawyer Asad Rahim Khan. "It jolts a complacent state that continues to tolerate jirgas in areas beyond its writ." Khan said rather than enforcing the law, the government has spent the past year weakening the judiciary and even considering reviving jirgas in former tribal areas. "It's executive inaction, most shamefully toward women in Balochistan," Khan said. The Prime Minister's Office and Pakistan's information minister did not immediately respond to a request for comment. VIRAL AND THEN FORGOTTEN? The Balochistan killings were raised in Senate, where the human rights committee condemned the murders and called for action against those who convened the jirga. Lawmakers also warned that impunity for parallel justice systems risked encouraging similar violence. Activists and analysts, however, say the outrage is unlikely to be sustained. "There's noise now, but like every time, it will fade," said Jalila Haider, a human rights lawyer in Quetta. "In many areas, there is no writ of law, no enforcement. Only silence." Haider said the killings underscore the state's failure to protect citizens in under-governed regions like Balochistan, where tribal power structures fill the vacuum left by absent courts and police. "It's not enough to just condemn jirgas," Haider said. "The real question is: why does the state allow them to exist in the first place?"
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab Assembly turns rowdy as MPAs come to blows
Two PTI lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly were suspended for 15-sittings for their allegedly unruly behavior as the opposition party protested against the de-seating of three of its members following the orders of two anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) in May 9 rioting cases. As the house resumed proceedings on Monday under the chairmanship of Acting Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channer, the opposition lawmakers entered the assembly hall chanting slogans in protest against the disqualification of PTI's three lawmakers. These lawmakers including Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar were found guilty of rioting on May 9, 2023 following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. After the ATCs July 22 order, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also announced their de-seating. Responding to the PTI members' protest, Punjab Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman stated that the opposition was violating its commitment to act in accordance with Rule 223 of the Rules of Procedure. Deputy Leader of Opposition Muhammad Moeenuddin Riaz requested the chair to stop the proceedings on the assembly's agenda as he sought permission to speak on the sentences awarded to the PTI leaders. Minister Rehman said that Bhachar is like their brother but it is not the government which sentenced him to 10 years of prison. "He has been sentenced by a court over his offence," he added. Acting Speaker Channer said the opposition could not be allowed to discuss court verdicts. He, however, allowed the opposition to express solidarity with the leader of the opposition. As PTI's MPAs criticized the government's response to the ATCs verdicts, the treasury lawmakers lambasted the PTI for its alleged role in May 9 acts of vandalism. PTI's chief whip Rana Shahbaz Ahmad placed the Holy Quran on his head and asked the house if he looked like a terrorist and if that was not the case then why different FIRs were registered against him for alleged acts of terror. Acting Speaker Channer urged Ahmad not to use the Holy Quran for politics. The opposition, however, staged a token boycott for alleged breach of their privilege. When the PTI MPAs returned, opposition lawmaker Khalid Nisar Dogar rushed towards the treasury benches and slapped PML-N lawmaker Hassan Riaz for allegedly using abusive language. This caused a major commotion in the house, with dozens of treasury and opposition lawmakers facing off on the assembly floor. Some senior members intervened to defuse the tension. The acting speaker condemned the act of violence, stating that such behavior is unacceptable. The chair adjourned the proceedings for five minutes and summoned lawmakers of both sides to his chamber. When the house resumed sitting, both sides condemned the incident. Treasury lawmakers said attacking someone was highly regrettable while the deputy opposition leader said that using derogatory and abusive language was also not good. Riaz said according to an order of Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, such matters should be referred to the house's ethics committee. Acting Speaker Channer described it as the blackest day in the assembly's history. He said this issue concerned the dignity of the house. He later suspended PTI's Nisar Dogar for 15-sitting. As the opposition MPAs were leaving the house chanting slogans, one PTI MPA, Sheikh Imtiaz, pointed out the lack of quorum. Channer responded that the quorum is complete. However, Imtiaz insisted that there were not enough lawmakers in the house to continue its proceedings. Irked by his insistence, the acting speaker also suspended Sheikh Imtiaz for 15 sittings. After completing agenda items, Channer adjourned proceedings till 2pm today. As lawmakers from both sides came into the media hall, they once again got into an altercation with some private members reportedly using abusive language against PTI's lawmakers. The PTI MPAs termed the act of the members as hooliganism, adding they are being cornered but they will not bow before fascism and cruelty.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PA turns chaotic after slap sparks scuffle, two MPAs suspended
Listen to article The atmosphere in the Punjab Assembly turned heated as lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition sides clashed, both inside and outside the assembly chambers, following an incident in which an opposition MPA slapped a treasury legislator. The slap came after allegations of derogatory language being used by the treasury member, who narrowly escaped. Outside the assembly chambers, reports emerged that some private staff members of the treasury's MPA had used abusive language against opposition MPAs. As a result, Acting Speaker Zaheer Iqbal Channer suspended two opposition MPAs for 15 sittings. As the House proceedings began under the chairmanship of Acting Speaker Channer, the opposition entered the chamber chanting slogans in protest over the disqualification of PTI's three lawmakers, including the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar. This disqualification followed sentences handed down by anti-terrorism courts in relation to the May 9 incidents. رولز 210 کے تحت خالد نثار ڈوگر کو پندرہ نشستوں کےلیے معطل کردیا گیا۔۔ — Imran Bhatti (@ReporterBhatti) July 28, 2025 Provincial Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman strongly opposed the opposition's conduct, saying that they were violating their commitment to act in accordance with Rule 223 of the Rules of Procedure. Deputy Opposition Leader Muhammad Moeenuddin Riaz requested the chair to halt proceedings on the assembly's agenda, seeking permission to speak on the sentences awarded to PTI's lawmakers, including Opposition Leader Bhachar. Treasury minister Rehman said Bhachar was like a brother to them, but stressed that the government was not responsible for the sentence. He clarified that Bhachar had been sentenced by the court for his actions. Acting Speaker Channer said that discussions on court decisions would not be permitted, but allowed the opposition to express solidarity with Bhachar. As PTI's MPAs expressed their dissatisfaction with the government over the sentences, treasury lawmakers also criticised the opposition, particularly highlighting the May 9 incidents. Read More: ECP disqualifies three PTI lawmakers following ATC verdict in May 9 case PTI's Chief Whip Rana Shahbaz Ahmad, holding the Holy Quran, questioned the House, asking if he looked like a terrorist and why multiple FIRs had been registered against him if he had not been involved in terrorism activities. This prompted a reaction from Acting Speaker Channer, who urged lawmakers to avoid politicising the Holy Quran. The opposition then staged a token boycott, arguing that their privileges had been violated due to the sentences. Upon returning, an argument between Deputy Opposition Leader Riaz and Acting Speaker Channer escalated when opposition lawmaker Khalid Nisar Dogar rushed toward the treasury benches and slapped PML-N MPA Hassan Riaz, accusing him of using abusive language despite repeated requests to stop. The incident quickly escalated, with both sides facing off. Some senior lawmakers intervened to calm the situation. Acting Speaker Channer condemned the behaviour, stating, "Dogar Sahib, you did not act appropriately. Such conduct is not tolerable in the assembly." The House was adjourned for five minutes as Acting Speaker Channer summoned the lawmakers from both sides to his chamber. Upon resumption, both sides condemned the altercation. The treasury side expressed regret over the attack, while Deputy Opposition Leader Riaz remarked that using derogatory language was also unacceptable. He added that, according to the speaker's order, the matter should have been referred to the concerned ethics committee. Also Read: Police suspect Sidra Arab killed by strangulation Acting Speaker Channer stated, "Today, I consider this to be one of the darkest days in this assembly." He emphasised that the issue was not just about two lawmakers but the dignity of the House itself. He ruled to suspend Khalid Nisar Dogar for 15 sittings. As the opposition left the House chanting slogans, MPA Sheikh Imtiaz pointed out a lack of quorum, which prompted a response from Channer confirming that quorum was met. However, Imtiaz persisted with his objection, leading to his suspension for 15 sittings as well. After completing the agenda items, Acting Speaker Channer adjourned the House until 2 pm on July 29. As lawmakers from both sides entered the media hall, another scuffle broke out. However, no physical attacks were reported this time. Outside the assembly chambers, some private members were reported to have shouted and used abusive language against PTI lawmakers. The opposition condemned the actions of the private members, calling them "hooliganism" and stating that they would not bow down to fascism and cruelty despite being cornered.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
Viral 'honour' killing in southwest Pakistan triggers national outrage
A viral video of the "honour killing" of a woman and her lover in a remote part of Pakistan has ignited national outrage, prompting scrutiny of long-standing tribal codes and calls for justice in a country where such killings often pass in silence. While hundreds of so-called honour killings are reported in Pakistan each year, often with little public or legal response, the video of a woman and man accused of adultery being taken to the desert by a group of men to be killed has struck a nerve. The video shows the woman, Bano Bibi, being handed a copy of the Holy Quran by a man identified by police as her brother. "Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me," she says, and she walks forward a few feet and stops with her back to the men. The brother, Jalal Satakzai, then shoots her three times and she collapses. Seconds later he shoots and kills the man, Ehsan Ullah Samalani, whom Bano was accused of having an affair with. Once the video of the killings in Pakistan's Balochistan province went viral, it brought swift government action and condemnation from politicians, rights groups and clerics. Civil rights lawyer Jibran Nasir said, though, the government's response was more about performance than justice. "The crime occurred months ago, not in secrecy but near a provincial capital, yet no one acted until 240 million witnessed the killing on camera," he said. "This isn't a response to a crime. It's a response to a viral moment." Police have arrested 16 people in Balochistan's Nasirabad district, including a tribal chief and the woman's mother. Policewomen escort Gul Jan Bibi (C), mother of Bano Bibi, at a local court in Quetta. Reuters The mother, Gul Jan Bibi, said the killings were carried out by family and local elders based on "centuries-old Baloch traditions," and not on the orders of the tribal chief. "We did not commit any sin," she said in a video statement that also went viral. "Bano and Ehsan were killed according to our customs." She said her daughter, who had three sons and two daughters, had run away with Ehsan and returned after 25 days. Police said Bano's younger brother, who shot the couple, remains at large. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said it was a "test" case and vowed to dismantle the illegal tribal courts operating outside the law. Police had earlier said a jirga, an informal tribal council that issues extrajudicial rulings, had ordered the killings. #JusticeForCouple The video sparked online condemnation, with hashtags like #JusticeForCouple and #HonourKilling trending. The Pakistan Ulema Council, a body of religious scholars, called the killings "un-Islamic" and urged terrorism charges against those involved. Policemen escort tribal chief Sher Baz Satakzai, accused of ordering deaths of a couple accused of having an affair, at a local court in Quetta. Reuters Dozens of civil society members and rights activists staged a protest on Saturday in the provincial capital Quetta, demanding justice and an end to parallel justice systems. "Virality is a double-edged sword," said Arsalan Khan, a cultural anthropologist and professor who studies gender and masculinity. "It can pressure the state into action, but public spectacle can also serve as a strategy to restore ghairat, or perceived family honour, in the eyes of the community." Pakistan outlawed honour killings in 2016 after the murder of social media star Qandeel Baloch, closing a loophole that allowed perpetrators to go free if they were pardoned by family members. Rights groups say enforcement remains weak, especially in rural areas where tribal councils still hold sway. "In a country where conviction rates often fall to single digits, visibility - and the uproar it brings - has its advantages," said constitutional lawyer Asad Rahim Khan. "It jolts a complacent state that continues to tolerate jirgas in areas beyond its writ." Human rights activists shout slogans during a protest in Quetta against the alleged honour killing of a couple in Margat near Quetta. AFP The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported at least 405 honour killings in 2024. Most victims are women, often killed by relatives claiming to defend family honour. Khan said rather than enforcing the law, the government has spent the past year weakening the judiciary and even considering reviving jirgas in former tribal areas. "It's executive inaction, most shamefully toward women in Balochistan," Khan said. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in recent months has asked senior ministers to evaluate proposals to revive jirgas in Pakistan's former tribal districts, including potential engagement with tribal elders and Afghan authorities. The Prime Minister's Office and Pakistan's information minister did not immediately respond to a request for comment. VIRAL AND THEN FORGOTTEN? The Balochistan killings were raised in Pakistan's Senate, where the human rights committee condemned the murders and called for action against those who convened the jirga. Lawmakers also warned that impunity for parallel justice systems risked encouraging similar violence. Activists and analysts, however, say the outrage is unlikely to be sustained. "There's noise now, but like every time, it will fade," said Jalila Haider, a human rights lawyer in Quetta. "In many areas, there is no writ of law, no enforcement. Only silence." Haider said the killings underscore the state's failure to protect citizens in under-governed regions like Balochistan, where tribal power structures fill the vacuum left by absent courts and police. "It's not enough to just condemn jirgas," Haider said. "The real question is: why does the state allow them to exist in the first place?" Reuters
