Latest News from Arab Times
Arab Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Cafés And Car Dealerships Shut Down In Inspection Sweep
KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The Kuwait Municipality announced that an inspection tour conducted by teams from the Audit and Services Follow-up Departments in the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate led to the administrative closure of four commercial establishments. According to the Municipality, two cafés in the Abu Al-Hasaniya area were shut down for carrying out activities that disturbed public peace. Additionally, two car dealerships in the West Abu Futaira Industrial Area were closed for operating in unlicensed spaces.
Arab Times
9 hours ago
- Arab Times
Pilgrims Depart In Peace As Kuwait Executes Flawless Hajj Plan
KUWAIT CITY, May 30: The Hajj season officially commenced this morning as the first groups of Kuwaiti pilgrims departed from Kuwait International Airport through Terminals 1 and 4, bound for the Holy Land. The spiritual journey began with a sense of serenity and efficiency, reflecting months of careful planning and coordination by relevant authorities. Kuwait Airways and Saudi Airlines operated the initial flights, carrying approximately 200 pilgrims on each, with the first Kuwait Airways flight from Terminal 4 heading to Jeddah. The departure lounges were filled with an atmosphere of devotion, as families bid emotional farewells to their loved ones embarking on this sacred journey. In a statement by Mansour Al-Hashemi, Director of Operations at Kuwait Airport under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), it was confirmed that two flights took off this morning, marking the beginning of Hajj pilgrimage operations. A total of 36 flights are scheduled to depart by the end of Monday, transporting nearly 8,000 Kuwaiti pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. Al-Hashemi outlined the DGCA's extensive preparations, which include deploying field teams from the Operations Department in coordination with the Ministries of Awqaf, Health, and Interior, as well as Customs and ground service providers. These teams are tasked with guiding and assisting pilgrims throughout the departure process. To streamline the experience, authorities have implemented several measures: special counters have been designated for pilgrims, boarding passes are being distributed in advance or upon arrival at the airport, and customs procedures have been expedited to avoid delays and congestion. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has also set up dedicated booths in the departure halls to distribute informational brochures, educating pilgrims on the rituals of Hajj and ensuring they are well-prepared for the spiritual experience. Pilgrims interviewed by Al-Seyassah expressed appreciation for the smooth and highly organized procedures, praising the high standards of care and planning. The efforts by all involved agencies aim to ensure that the "Guests of God" begin their journey with comfort, safety, and peace of mind.
Arab Times
19 hours ago
- General
- Arab Times
Firefighting Teams Tackle Basement Fire in Shuwaikh
KUWAIT CITY, May 30: Firefighting teams from the Shuwaikh Industrial, Al-Shaheed, Al-Ardiya, and Al-Isnad stations successfully contained a fire that broke out in the basement of an industrial plot storing wood in the Shuwaikh Industrial Area on Thursday evening. The teams promptly responded and brought the blaze under control. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.
Arab Times
20 hours ago
- Arab Times
Overseas Pakistani? Here's How To Keep Your Mobile Phone Working In Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, May 30: In recent years, many overseas Pakistanis visiting their homeland have encountered an unexpected and frustrating problem: their local Pakistani SIM cards stop working after a short period of use. While this may seem like a technical glitch or a telecom issue at first glance, the root cause lies in Pakistan's telecom regulatory policies, particularly those governed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The Core of the Problem: Device Registration The key issue revolves around the Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) introduced by the PTA. This system was implemented to curb the smuggling of mobile phones, reduce grey market trade, and ensure that all devices on Pakistani networks are properly documented. When an overseas Pakistani brings a phone from abroad and inserts a local SIM card, the telecom network automatically checks whether the phone's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is registered with the PTA. If the IMEI is not registered or not PTA-approved, the system allows a grace period—typically 60 days—for temporary use. Once that grace period expires, the phone is blocked from accessing Pakistani mobile networks with local SIM cards. One Phone, One Year: The Overseas Pakistani Allowance In response to the concerns of the diaspora, the PTA allows overseas Pakistanis to register one mobile phone per year duty-free, provided they have entered the country recently. This can be done through the official PTA DIRBS portal or device registration system, where users must provide their IMEI number, passport or CNIC, and proof of travel such as an entry stamp or travel details. The Role of Biometric Verification and SIM Limits SIM card blocking may also occur due to biometric verification issues or the five-SIMs-per-CNIC rule. If the visitor is using a foreign passport or their CNIC isn't active or properly verified, the system may restrict new SIM activations or suspend existing ones as a security precaution. Safe Options for Visitors To avoid disruption during visits to Pakistan, overseas Pakistanis have several options: Register your phone legally if you plan to use it with a local SIM. Buy a PTA-approved phone in Pakistan to ensure full compatibility. Use international roaming with your foreign SIM—phones using roaming are exempt from PTA restrictions. One Phone Per Year – Tax-Free for Overseas Pakistanis If you're a Pakistani citizen living abroad and you're visiting Pakistan: You can bring in 1 mobile phone per year without paying any tax. This is allowed once every 12 months, based on your travel record. You must register the phone with PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) using the DIRBS portal: You'll need: - Passport number - CNIC/NICOP - IMEI number of the phone - Entry stamp or travel info (proves recent arrival) Additional Phones Are Taxable If you bring more than one phone per year, taxes/duties will apply on the extra devices. The amount depends on: - Phone model and brand - Customs valuation (not always the actual market price) - PTA's official tax/duty slab (updated frequently) Example: A new iPhone might incur PKR 80,000–150,000+ in tax, while lower-end phones may be taxed as little as PKR 5,000–20,000. A Word of Caution Using phones purchased from the grey market or bringing unregistered devices without checking PTA compliance can lead to connectivity loss, especially for those relying on local mobile services. It's important to heed warning SMS messages from PTA about registration deadlines to avoid service termination. For overseas Pakistanis, staying connected during visits is vital. While PTA's system aims to bring order and security to Pakistan's telecom ecosystem, travelers need to understand the rules, comply with the law, and take preventive steps. By registering devices properly and using approved phones, visitors can enjoy seamless communication without fear of abrupt disconnection.
Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
Assault and Robbery Near Al-Shaab Mosque Ends in Arrests
KUWAIT CITY, May 29: Hawally detectives have successfully closed an assault and robbery case following the arrest of three individuals involved in attacking a Kuwaiti citizen and stealing his belongings. According to a security source, the investigation began when a 40-year-old Kuwaiti citizen filed a complaint at Al-Shaab Police Station. He reported that while he was at a mosque in the Al-Shaab area, three unknown individuals physically assaulted him and made off with his iPhone and a wallet containing KD 400. Following the complaint, detectives launched an investigation and were able to identify the vehicle used in the crime through surveillance footage. With assistance from the General Traffic Department, authorities traced the vehicle's owner, leading to the arrest of the suspects one by one. During interrogation, all three suspects confessed to the assault and theft, and they provided details about the stolen items. The suspects are currently in police custody and will be referred to the Public Prosecution pending further legal procedures.
