Latest news with #RizwanKhan
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
One dead, one critical in AC blast near Mahim dargah
MUMBAI: One person died and seven others were injured, one of them critically, due to an explosion in the outdoor unit of an air-conditioner (AC) of a food outlet in Mahim on Friday. The deceased and critically injured individual were technicians repairing the ACs of the outlet, located near the famous Makhdoom Shah Dargah on Cadell Road. Onlookers said the explosion was so fierce that the technicians were flung several feet onto the street. The blast also damaged the façade of the eaterie and the flat above. 'The technicians had come a day earlier too, returning on Friday to continue the repairs,' said Rizwan Khan, who lives next to the ground-plus-one structure where the blast took place. 'Something went horribly wrong and there was a loud explosion. My children play outside but, thankfully, they were inside when the accident happened as it was raining.' The explosion took place at 6.15pm, and it took fire personnel 25 min to extinguish the blaze. 'Investigations are ongoing,' said the fire officer in charge of the operation. The deceased is Noor Alam, 38, who was declared dead on arrival at Sion Hospital. Pravin Pujari, 34, the other technician, was admitted to the hospital. He is in critical condition, having sustained 30% burns. The others who were injured, likely those who worked in the food outlet as well as passersby on the busy street, are: Mukesh Gupta, 34, Shivmohan, 24, Deepali Godatkar, 24, Sana Shaikh, 25, Shridevi Bandichhode, 31, and Kamlesh Jaiswal, 22. They sustained minor injuries. The storey above the food outlet houses a residential home but the occupants were away when the explosion took place. Their home, however, was damaged in the blast. 'Luckily, both of us were out,' said Sahil Kapadia, who lives in the house above with his mother Sheena Lala. 'Only our African Grey Parrot was home. He's fine but he has plucked out all his feathers in fear.' Sheena Lala added, 'Our windows have cracked, parts of the ceiling are damaged, and portions of the floor have cracked. The damage is worst where the blast took place. We have to figure out where to spend the night.' Kapadia added, 'The cloud kitchen was an outlet of a popular chain of eateries. It has been operating here for 8 to 10 years.' The fire officer on duty did not confirm these details but said they had found freezers of the food outlet on the ground floor.
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Christian is sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan after 'desecrating the Koran'
A Christian man in the the eastern Pakistani town of Jaranwala has been sentenced to death after being accused of desecrating the Koran, the Muslim holy book. The 36-year-old will appeal his sentence after an anti-terrorism court convicted him of blasphemy on Friday, while acquitting two others accused of the same breach of the law. The 2023 incident led to a series of mob attacks on a Christian neighbourhood in which hundreds of houses and churches were torched and thousands of people forced to flee their homes. In addition to the death penalty, he was also sentenced to life imprisonment and fined Rs 3.5 million - equivalent to £9,400. The court reportedly ruled that the man attempted to frame a father and son by placing their photographs alongside torn pages from the Quran, creating the false impression that they had desecrated the holy book. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan. No one has been executed by the state for it, but numerous accused have been lynched by outraged mobs. Jaranwala was the site of more than two dozen church arsons carried out by mobs which included far-right Islamists in 2023. On 16 August, following reports that the Koran had been desecrated by two local men, riots broke out and hundreds of men armed with sticks and rocks attacked the Christian community in the city. Churches were also attacked, with rioters either vandalising them or setting the buildings on fire. Rizwan Khan, the regional police chief, said that 129 people in connection with the mob violence were arrested in the immediate aftermath. It is thought that around 380 were arrested following the riots, while the government promised to help rebuild both trust and the damaged buildings. At the time, Pakistan's Interim Prime Minister, Anwar ul-Haq Kakar, criticized the rioters and called on them to stop the violence, saying: 'Stern action would be taken against those who violate the law and target minorities.'. US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel called for a full investigation into the events, stating that 'we support peaceful freedom of expression and the right to freedom of religion and belief for everybody'. Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch reacted: 'The Faisalabad attack underscores the failings of Pakistan's police to adequately protect religious minority communities and respond promptly to violence targeting them. 'The lack of prosecutions of those responsible for such crimes in the past emboldens those who commit violence in the name of religion.' Pakistan's Blasphemy law stems from section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code. It states that whoever 'defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to a fine.' Human rights groups have raised the plight of religious minorities continuing to suffer in Pakistan. As well as Christians, the minority Shia Muslim population has been subject to sectarian attacks, especially in areas such as Parachinar. Last week a mob beat a member of Pakistan's persecuted Ahmadiyya minority to death after hundreds of radical Islamists surrounded their place of worship in the port city of Karachi.
Biz Bahrain
29-01-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Arab Financial Services Expands into UAE to Advance Digital Payments Ecosystem
Arab Financial Services (AFS), a leading provider of digital payment solutions and a prominent fintech enabler across the Middle East and Africa, announced its strategic expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This move follows the successful acquisition of a Retail Payment Services License – Category II from the Central Bank of the UAE by Arab Financial Services L.L.C, allowing AFS to introduce a comprehensive suite of innovative and secure payment solutions tailored to the country's dynamic financial landscape. 'This license acquisition marks a pivotal juncture in our regional expansion strategy,' said Samer Soliman, CEO of AFS. 'We are excited to launch our innovative payment solutions in the UAE, a nation renowned for its progressive vision for digital transformation. Our advanced suite of services will empower consumers and businesses alike with enhanced convenience, security, and financial freedom.' 'Expanding into the UAE is a tremendous opportunity for us to bring our market-leading payment and fintech capabilities to a country that values innovation and security in digital financial services,' said Rizwan Khan, Managing Director for AFS UAE and Oman. 'We are delighted to partner with local businesses and regulatory bodies to help nurture an inclusive digital ecosystem that meets the fast-evolving needs of the UAE and contribute to strengthening the country's standing as a global fintech hub.' Backed by a substantial US$150 million in funding, AFS's entry into the UAE market highlights its steadfast commitment to revolutionizing the financial services sector. This strategic initiative aligns seamlessly with the country's ambition to solidify its position as a global financial leader. By leveraging its deep expertise and advanced technology, AFS is set to empower businesses and consumers with secure, user-centric payment solutions that enhance financial accessibility and significantly contribute to the UAE's economic growth. To mark the occasion, AFS hosted a high-profile launch event in the UAE. Distinguished guests included AFS Chairman Sael Al Waary and Board of Directors, as well as government officials, VIPs, partners, merchants, and industry leaders. The event celebrated the company's remarkable achievements and underscored its immense potential to advance the country's digital payments ecosystem. As AFS embarks on this new chapter, it remains dedicated to shaping the future of digital payments, empowering communities, and enabling financial inclusion in the UAE and beyond.
Zawya
27-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Arab Financial Services expands into UAE to advance digital payments ecosystem
Dubai, UAE – 27 January 2025: Arab Financial Services (AFS), a leading provider of digital payment solutions and a prominent fintech enabler across the Middle East and Africa, announced its strategic expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This move follows the successful acquisition of a Retail Payment Services License – Category II from the Central Bank of the UAE by Arab Financial Services L.L.C, allowing AFS to introduce a comprehensive suite of innovative and secure payment solutions tailored to the country's dynamic financial landscape. "This license acquisition marks a pivotal juncture in our regional expansion strategy," said Samer Soliman, CEO of AFS. "We are excited to launch our innovative payment solutions in the UAE, a nation renowned for its progressive vision for digital transformation. Our advanced suite of services will empower consumers and businesses alike with enhanced convenience, security, and financial freedom." "Expanding into the UAE is a tremendous opportunity for us to bring our market-leading payment and fintech capabilities to a country that values innovation and security in digital financial services," said Rizwan Khan, Managing Director for AFS UAE and Oman. "We are delighted to partner with local businesses and regulatory bodies to help nurture an inclusive digital ecosystem that meets the fast-evolving needs of the UAE and contribute to strengthening the country's standing as a global fintech hub." Backed by a substantial US$150 million in funding, AFS's entry into the UAE market highlights its steadfast commitment to revolutionizing the financial services sector. This strategic initiative aligns seamlessly with the country's ambition to solidify its position as a global financial leader. By leveraging its deep expertise and advanced technology, AFS is set to empower businesses and consumers with secure, user-centric payment solutions that enhance financial accessibility and significantly contribute to the UAE's economic growth. To mark the occasion, AFS hosted a high-profile launch event in the UAE. Distinguished guests included AFS Chairman Sael Al Waary and Board of Directors, as well as government officials, VIPs, partners, merchants, and industry leaders. The event celebrated the company's remarkable achievements and underscored its immense potential to advance the country's digital payments ecosystem. As AFS embarks on this new chapter, it remains dedicated to shaping the future of digital payments, empowering communities, and enabling financial inclusion in the UAE and beyond.
