Latest news with #Saqib
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Forgery gang busted in Abbottabad
In a crackdown on document fraud, the Abbottabad police arrested a group for illegally obtaining Pakistani identity cards for the Afghan nationals. According to police sources, the arrested suspects were identified as Saqib, a resident of Islamabad; Naeem, from Kehal; Sami, an Afghan national; and Jaleel. These individuals were allegedly involved in forging documents to help Afghan nationals fraudulently acquire Pakistani national identity cards. A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 419, 468, and 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code, as well as Section 14 of the Foreigners Act. Police said that further investigation is ongoing to uncover additional links and accomplices.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Lending a hand: Local heroes emerge amid chaos, clear debris for rescuers to reach site
New Delhi: Rescue personnel at the collapse site in norteast Delhi's Janta Colony faced major hurdles due to the narrow, congested lanes and piles of debris that left little room for manoeuvring fire engines or using firefighting gear. Delhi Fire Service and National Disaster Relief Force both left their vehicles at a distance and carried firefighting equipment on foot to the burning building. But the local residents stepped up, clearing rubble with bare hands, clearing the debris through human chains and working relentlessly to reach the trapped people. A fire officer said that the biggest challenge was removing the debris for heavy vehicles to access the site. "We relied on carts used by scrap collectors to clear the rubble. It was a slow process since the carts could carry only small loads," he said. Machines couldn't be used effectively due to the limited space and the fire vehicles were parked at a distance, requiring people to manually bring any required equipment. An NDRF personnel said, "If the lanes were wider, the rescue operation could have been faster. But only four people could enter the debris-covered lane, which slowed the process." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Искате да научите повече за новото BMW 2 Gran Coupe? BMW Научете повече Undo You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Locals, however, played a critical role in the rescue efforts. When the building collapsed with a loud noise, they rushed to the site and began pulling people out from under the rubble before the official rescuers arrived. Mohammad Savesh, 28, who was sleeping when the collapse occurred, was woken up by the noise and immediately rushed to the site. "We rescued as many people as we could and dug into the remains with our bare hands," he said. To speed up debris removal, residents formed a human chain, passing rubble from one person to the next, which helped create an efficient and continuous system to clear the disaster site. Another resident, Saqib, said that when he arrived, he saw several people trapped under the debris. "Without wasting any time, we started removing the broken concrete and bricks by hand to rescue those buried beneath," he recounted. For many residents, the incident felt like an earthquake. Mehr-un-Nisa, an elderly woman who has lived in the area for decades, said, "We felt the ground shake as though it was an earthquake. When we ran outside, we saw that a house had completely collapsed under the debris." Mohammad Rafi, another local resident, said, "We heard a loud, startling sound and saw that the pillar at the corner of the lane had given way — the entire building had collapsed on top of it. " According to the locals, the collapsed structure had an L-shaped layout and was mainly supported on one side. This unbalanced design, combined with poor load distribution and a weak foundation, made the building particularly vulnerable to collapse. They also alleged that the use of substandard construction materials had led to chronic seepage problems in buildings throughout the area. Over time, this had weakened the structures, making them highly susceptible to collapse even during minor tremors or shifts in the ground.
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Citizens flout ban, flock to beaches despite high tides
Drowning incidents are commonly reported in the summer season as picnickers flock to the beaches to beat the soaring temperatures in the city. PHOTO: COURTESY RESCUE SERVICE Citizens blatantly violated the Section 144 ban on sea bathing, as thousands thronged the Hawkes Bay and Sands Pit beaches to enjoy the weather. Ignoring the dangers posed by the six-foot-high tides, citizens of all ages openly defied city administration and police warnings, entering the water. From early morning, large crowds arrived at the beaches, turning the coastline into a picnic spot. Many, including families and thrill-seeking youth, were seen swimming in the sea despite repeated warnings from lifeguards about the dangerous tides that had become even more treacherous when pulling back. Police presence at Sands Pit also remained largely symbolic, with little enforcement of the ban. Food stalls and vendors were also seen openly operating along the shore, further encouraging large gatherings. A man, 22-year-old Saqib Ali, drowned while swimming in the sea near Sands Pit beach on Sunday. ASI Zulqarnain, in-charge of the Sands Pit police post, said Saqib and his two friends were caught in strong currents and were swept away by the high tide. A lifeguard stationed nearby managed to pull the three young men out of the sea, but Saqib's was rushed to a hospital, where he died.
Business Recorder
06-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's crypto chief meets New York City mayor, pushes for global blockchain cooperation
In a high-profile meeting at Gracie Mansion, New York City Mayor Eric Adams extended a symbolic gesture of camaraderie to Pakistan by telling Bilal Bin Saqib, Pakistan's Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain, 'We consider New York to be Lahore.' The remark, made during an official diplomatic engagement, highlighted the growing ties between the two emerging hubs of digital finance and innovation. The meeting marked a key step toward building direct collaboration between the New York Crypto Council and the Pakistan Crypto Council—two government-backed bodies committed to shaping the future of Web3, read a statement released by the Ministry of Finance on Friday. Both New York City and Pakistan have taken bold steps by establishing dedicated crypto councils to support the responsible growth of the digital economy. During the meeting, Mayor Adams and SAPM Saqib explored opportunities to co-develop knowledge-sharing initiatives, capacity-building programs, and strategic advisory efforts to foster innovation while ensuring regulatory compliance. The two leaders also discussed shared challenges and approaches to growing the digital asset economy in diverse, high-potential markets, read the statement. The meeting marked the final stop on Saqib's official US tour focused on blockchain innovation, public-private partnerships, and advancing global crypto collaboration. Earlier, Saqib met with the Executive Director of President Trump's Council on Digital Assets, Robert 'Bo' Hines, at the White House. During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in the field of digital assets. Key areas of discussion included Bitcoin, future partnerships, and potential collaboration in the evolving global digital economy. They also discussed strategic alignment on digital assets, Bitcoin integration and the future of decentralised infrastructure. A major topic of the meeting was Pakistan's recently announced strategic Bitcoin reserves, which were explored in detail as a step toward strengthening the country's position in the digital finance space.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Who is Bilal Bin Saqib- social entrepreneur leading Pakistan's crypto push?
Bilal Bin Saqib (File photo taken from LinkedIn) Pakistan last week unveiled its first government-led Strategic Bitcoin Reserve - a move aimed at attracting global investment and signaling a long-term commitment to digital assets. The announcement came shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Bilal Bin Saqib, CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), as his special assistant on blockchain and cryptocurrency, with the status of Minister of State. Saqib revealed the initiative while delivering a keynote address at Bitcoin Vegas 2025, attended by US Vice President JD Vance, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr, Dawn reported. 'Pakistan is no longer defined by its past. It is being reborn as a forward-looking hub of digital innovation,' he said. Here's what to know about the man at the center of Pakistan's crypto transformation: Who is Bilal Bin Saqib? Saqib is the co-founder of Tayaba, a social enterprise focused on addressing Pakistan's water crisis. As reported by Forbes, its flagship product- the H2O wheel- allows users to transport up to 40 liters of water, significantly easing the daily burden on women and children in rural areas. Tayaba has distributed over 5,500 wheels across Pakistan. Saqib's responsibilities include crafting a FATF-compliant regulatory framework for digital assets, launching national bitcoin mining projects, and integrating blockchain into sectors like finance, land records, and governance. He will also oversee licensing for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and support the development of the Web3 ecosystem, reported Dawn. He holds a degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics and serves on the advisory board of Queen Mary University of London. Prior to entering the blockchain space in 2017, Saqib worked as an international strategy consultant for a decade, mainly helping UK firms expand into Asia and Africa. In 2023, he was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by King Charles for his Covid-19 relief work in the UK through the One Million Meals initiative. He has also been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his contributions to social impact. Saqib is the founder of Web3 Pakistan , the country's first and largest blockchain community. He has helped organize major blockchain events such as ETHBarcelona and has spoken at the World Economic Forum and NFT NYC. According to Dawn, Pakistan currently ranks among the top 10 countries for crypto adoption, with over 40 million users and a crypto trading volume exceeding $300 billion annually. In this context, Bilal Bin Saqib is emerging as a key figure shaping Pakistan's digital future. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
