Pakistan army says 39 militants killed trying to cross border from Afghanistan
'The security forces demonstrated exceptional professionalism, vigilance preparedness, and prevented a potential catastrophe,' the military said in a statement accusing archfoe India of backing the militants.
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Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
The Dalai Lama says he hopes to live more than 130 years ahead of his 90th birthday
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said that he hopes to live past 110 years old, days after he laid out a succession plan by saying he plans to reincarnate after his death. The Dalai Lama, who is celebrating his 90th birthday on Sunday, made these comments during a ceremony organized by his followers to offer prayers for his long life. 'I have been able to serve the Buddha dharma and the beings of Tibet so far quite well, and I hope to live over 110 years,' the Dalai Lama told thousands of followers who had gathered Saturday in India's northern town of Dharamshala. Dharamshala has been the Dalai Lama's home in exile since 1959, after he fled Tibet in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule. Since then, he has sustained Tibet's aspirations for greater autonomy under Chinese Communist Party rule and mobilized Tibetans inside and outside China. On Wednesday, the Dalai Lama said that he intends to reincarnate, paving the way after his death for a successor to take on a mantle stretching back 500 years. Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lama can choose the body into which he is reincarnated. That announcement ended years of speculation that started when he indicated that he might be the last person to hold the role. The Nobel Peace Prize–winning spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism also said that the next Dalai Lama should be found and recognized as per past Buddhist traditions, while stressing that his office will lead the search. China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has insisted that only Beijing has the authority to approve his successor. Meanwhile, the exiled Tibetan community of more than 20,000 people in Dharamshala is gearing up to celebrate the Dalai Lama's birthday on Sunday. His followers have put up giant posters and billboards across town, as tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the event, including Buddhist leaders of various sects and followers from across the world. Barbara Weibel, a US citizen who has been following Buddhism for more than 30 years, said she had to be there for this. 'I want this long life ceremony to keep him alive as long as possible,' she said.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Death toll from Pakistan building collapse rises to 14
KARACHI: The death toll from a five-storey building collapse in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi rose to 14 on Saturday, officials said, after rescuers pulled three more bodies from the rubble overnight. The Fotan Mansion residential building, where several families were said to be living, crumbled shortly around 10am on Friday in the impoverished Lyari neighborhood of the city. Rescue workers, along with residents of the area, continued their operation to find survivors and bodies through the night, once again laying bare the issue of unsafe housing in Karachi. 'So far, we have received 14 bodies at the medico-legal section, including those of 12- and 13-year-old children,' Dr. Summayia Syed, the Karachi police surgeon, told Arab News on Saturday morning. Many of the occupants were members of the low-income Hindu minority community and residents estimated that around 40 people were inside when the building collapsed. According to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Fotan Mansion had been declared unsafe as far back as 2012. 'This building was declared dangerous by the SBCA in 2012 and had been served multiple notices over the years,' SBCA spokesperson Shakeel Dogar told Arab News. 'Before the recent rains, public announcements were also made in the area, but unfortunately, no one was willing to vacate.' Friday's incident is the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi. In February 2020, a five-storey building collapsed in Rizvia Society, killing at least 27 people. The following month, another residential structure came down in Gulbahar, claiming 16 lives. In June 2021, a three-storey building in Malir collapsed, killing four. And just last year, in August, a building collapse in Qur'angi led to at least three deaths. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said on Friday evening that rescue efforts remained their top priority, with accountability and investigation to follow. 'Once we're done with the rescue aspect, we will focus on who was responsible for this negligence or omission,' he added.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in agri-infrastructure, eyes long-term food security
KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday urged Saudi Arabia to invest in agricultural research and storage infrastructure as part of a broader push for sustainable food security, according to an official statement. The call was made during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in Islamabad, following the launch ceremony of the third phase of the Saudi Food Security Support Project in Pakistan. 'Rana Tanveer Hussain shared Pakistan's long-term vision for achieving sustainable food security through investment in agricultural research, innovation and modernized farming systems,' said the statement circulated after the meeting. 'The Minister proposed deeper collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in key areas such as joint agricultural research, technological exchange and investment in food processing and storage infrastructure,' it added. Hussain also highlighted Pakistan's commitment to improving irrigation practices and promoting climate-adaptive agriculture to address the growing challenges posed by environmental degradation. He invited Saudi investors to explore opportunities in agri-based projects, particularly in high-yield zones, and called for institutional cooperation between universities and research centers in both countries. The minister also proposed joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency, describing them as high-impact areas for regional collaboration. Earlier, he distributed food baskets to families under the Saudi Food Security Support Project and interacted with recipients. Now in its third phase, the Saudi-backed initiative is delivering essential food supplies to thousands of households across Pakistan, providing much-needed relief amid climate-related challenges.
