Latest news with #Malki
Arab News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan eyes enhanced cooperation with Saudi Arabia to prevent drug trafficking
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wants to enhance cooperation with Saudi Arabia in curbing illicit activities such as drug trafficking and human smuggling, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday. Pakistan this week organized the Pak-GCC Regional Narcotics Conference, organized by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in Islamabad, where delegates from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait gathered to develop a joint strategy against narcotics trafficking and abuse. Naqvi visited the Saudi embassy in Islamabad on Sunday where he met Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki. The two discussed matters of mutual interest, enhancing bilateral relations and increasing mutual cooperation, the interior ministry said. 'We want to enhance cooperation with Saudi Arabia to prevent drug trafficking and human smuggling,' Naqvi was quoted as saying by his ministry. Islamabad has been worried about the trend of Pakistani beggars abusing visas to beg in foreign countries. Pakistan fears this could impact genuine visa-seekers and particularly religious pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia. According to widespread media reports, Riyadh raised this issue with Islamabad at various forums last year. Naqvi assured Malki that the government has 'tightened the noose' around the begging mafia in Pakistan. 'New conditions are being imposed for obtaining passports to curb begging and illegal immigration,' he said. Naqvi thanked Saudi Arabia for releasing a Pakistani family that had been 'framed' for smuggling narcotics to the Kingdom earlier this year. 'Saudi Arabia provided significant support for the release and repatriation of the innocent family,' he said. 'Thanks to the cooperation of the Saudi government, five members of the family were released and returned home,' he added. As per the interior ministry, Malki said Riyadh enjoyed close relations with Islamabad and wanted to strengthen them further. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy cordial relations rooted in shared faith, culture and traditions. Pakistanis are the second-largest expatriate community in the Kingdom, with over 2.5 million living and working in Saudi Arabia, the top source of remittances to the South Asian country.
Muscat Daily
22-02-2025
- Science
- Muscat Daily
Omani discovers near-Earth object, has privilege to name it
Muscat – In a landmark achievement for Oman's scientific community, Khalfan bin Hamad al Malki, a chemistry teacher, has become the first member of Oman Society of Astronomy and Space (OSAS) to make a preliminary detection of a near-Earth object. The asteroid has been officially recorded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Malki now has the rare privilege of naming it within a week. He is considering either a family name or a tribute to Oman. Temporarily designated by NASA as P226gRJ , the asteroid marks the first such detection by an Omani citizen involved in the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) project. Malki made the discovery on February 5 after analysing time-lapse images of the sky distributed by IASC, a global initiative that enables citizen scientists to assist in detection of near-Earth objects. Asteroids like P226gRJ are remnants from the early formation of the solar system, typically found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. While most remain in stable orbits far from Earth, those that venture closer, particularly between Earth and the Moon, are monitored closely as potential threats. Global space agencies, including NASA, increasingly rely on contributions from citizen scientists to help detect these objects. Once identified, experts assess factors such as size, speed, trajectory and potential risk. Malki's discovery highlights both Oman's growing role in global space research and the importance of collaborative efforts in expanding man's understanding of the cosmos. 'This discovery has brought me immense happiness,' Malki said. 'I did not expect to find an asteroid and pinpoint its coordinates. I am grateful for this opportunity and thank Abdul Wahab al Busaidi and Ghaida al Jabri for their support in this project. God willing, discoveries will continue with the help of OSAS.' Busaidi, a board member of OSAS, called the discovery a significant milestone. 'This achievement encourages greater citizen participation in space research. With more eyes on the sky, the world continues to deepen its understanding of the universe.' Malki's discovery not only marks a personal triumph but also reflects the increasing contributions of Middle Eastern researchers to global space exploration efforts.
