Muhammad Usman Amin

PESHAWAR: On International Labor Day, the story of Sabir Rahman offers a powerful glimpse into resilience and dignity under extreme conditions. Working long shifts in a pipe factory in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, where temperatures can soar to 50&deg;C (122&deg;F), Rahman endures intense physical strain far from his eight children. Yet, despite the hardship, he finds a deep sense of peace at the end of each day, knowing his labor is honest and supports his family. His story reflects the quiet strength of millions of workers worldwide whose sacrifices often go unseen, highlighting both the human cost of labor and the enduring value of perseverance.

Workers at a pipe manufacturing factory in Peshawar on April 30th. (Photo: Pakistan TV Digital)

Shorts

Sabir Rahman works at a pipe factory where temperatures reach 50°C. With eight children at home, he says he misses them daily, but finds peace after each shift, having earned an honest living for his family.

Pakistani factory worker finds peace amid extreme heat and hardship

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has moved to accelerate regulatory and scientific measures to curb lead exposure, with the Ministry of Science and Technology announcing plans for a dedicated lead-testing infrastructure and stronger product safety standards following high-level talks with a United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund (UNICEF) delegation. According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Friday, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Nawabzada Khalid Hussain Magsi, accompanied by Federal Secretary Shahid Iqbal Baloch, held a meeting with a delegation led by Abdullah A. Fodil, Director of the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future (PLF), UNICEF. The meeting focused on the &ldquo;critical public health challenges posed by lead exposure,&rdquo; particularly its impact on maternal health, childhood development and the long-term well-being of citizens. The discussions centred on Pakistan&rsquo;s national priorities to address lead contamination, with participants stressing the need for preventive strategies and &ldquo;robust regulatory interventions&rdquo; to tackle the issue effectively, the statement said. A key proposal discussed during the meeting was the establishment of a Lead-Free Testing Laboratory at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) in Karachi, with regional extensions planned in Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar. The proposed facilities would support research and development aimed at identifying lead prevalence and devising control and mitigation strategies across sectors, according to the official statement. The ministry said the meeting also underscored the need to strengthen regulatory frameworks under the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), particularly regarding permissible lead content in oil-based paints, cosmetics, including antimony surma, food items and other consumer products. Participants also called for improved monitoring of industrial practices to ensure compliance with national safety standards. Highlighting the importance of public engagement, the meeting emphasized national conferences, policy dialogues and awareness campaigns as essential tools in addressing the health and environmental risks linked to lead exposure. In this regard, the federal minister assured that the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) would launch a &ldquo;comprehensive series of awareness seminars&rdquo; to educate the public on the environmental and health hazards of lead exposure. The minister and the federal secretary reaffirmed that the collaboration represented &ldquo;a significant step toward achieving a healthier, safer, and lead-free future for the children of Pakistan,&rdquo; the statement added.

Health

The meeting focused on the “critical public health challenges posed by lead exposure,” particularly its impact on maternal health, childhood development and the long-term well-being of citizens.

Pakistan moves to tighten lead safety, protect children’s health nationwide

ATHENS: Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Crete, disembarked on Friday in the Greek island, an AFP journalist saw. Escorted by Greek coast guards, around 175 activists, the majority of them nationals of European countries, were taken in four coaches to the port of Atherinolakkos, in the southeast of the island. As they approached the port, the activists chanted &ldquo;Free Palestine,&rdquo; AFP saw. Israel&rsquo;s foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 boats on Thursday. Flotilla organizers put the number at 211. The flotilla comprising more than 50 vessels set sail in recent weeks from Marseille in France, Barcelona in Spain, and Syracuse in Italy. Its aim, according to the organizers, was to break the blockade of Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory. Israel controls all entry points to Gaza. It has been accused by the United Nations and foreign NGOs of strangling the flow of goods into the territory, causing shortages since the start of Israel&rsquo;s war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in October 2023. Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein on Friday said: &ldquo;All the flotilla activists are now in Greece except Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila.&rdquo; Several European governments with nationals among those arrested have called on Israel to free the activists and called its action a flagrant contravention of international law. But the United States backed Israeli authorities, calling the flotilla a &ldquo;stunt&rdquo; and saying it expects allies to deny port access, docking, departure, and refueling to vessels participating in the flotilla. A State Department spokesman said Washington was exploring imposing &ldquo;consequences&rdquo; on those who support the flotilla. In the summer and autumn of 2025, a first voyage by the Global Sumud Flotilla across the Mediterranean toward Gaza drew worldwide attention. The boats in that flotilla were intercepted by Israel off the coasts of Egypt and the Gaza Strip in early October. Crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested and then expelled by Israel.

FILE: The Global Sumud Flotilla sets sail from Barcelona towards Gaza, in Barcelona, Spain, on August 31, 2025. Hundreds gather at Moll de la Fusta to bid farewell to the flotilla, with dozens of boats and thousands of supporters wearing kufiyas (Palestin

Europe

Middle East

Dozens of activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters off Crete, disembarked on Friday in the Greek island, an AFP journalist saw.

Activists on Gaza aid flotilla detained by Israel disembark in Crete

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) moved closer to full private ownership this week after the consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited formally notified Pakistan&rsquo;s Privatization Commission of its intention to acquire the remaining 25% stake in the national carrier, completing a landmark transaction aimed at recapitalizing and expanding the airline. The notice, submitted under the terms of the Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement (SPSA) signed in January, includes the required standby letter of credit and sets the stage for full transfer of management control, expected on or before May 25, subject to regulatory and contractual approvals. The move follows the consortium&rsquo;s earlier acquisition of a 75% stake in PIA through a competitive privatization process and would bring the total transaction size to approximately Rs180 billion ($645.74 million), making it one of Pakistan&rsquo;s largest private-sector investments in a state-owned enterprise. Of the total investment, at least Rs55 billion ($197.31 million) will go to the government as divestment proceeds, while Rs125 billion ($448.4 million) will be injected directly into the airline as fresh equity to support its operational and financial restructuring. Talking to Pakistan TV Digital earlier this year, Arif Habib, chairman of the consortium, said the capital injection would be directed toward expanding and modernizing PIA&rsquo;s fleet, reviving grounded aircraft and improving the passenger experience. &quot;By the end of the current year, we will be able to take the fleet from 18 aircraft to 24,&quot; Habib said. &quot;Within three years, we plan to increase it to 38 aircraft, and within five years, we are targeting a fleet of 60 aircraft.&quot; Habib said the consortium was already in discussions with major aircraft manufacturers to support the expansion strategy, while also exploring short-term leasing options to bridge capacity gaps. &quot;We are in negotiations with Boeing and Airbus,&quot; he told Pakistan TV Digital. &quot;If we place orders for new aircraft, they can provide us with second-hand aircraft on lease until the new planes are delivered.&quot; He said the new owners also aim to bring back aircraft currently out of service within the next six to eight months, helping restore operational capacity on high-demand domestic and international routes. Alongside fleet growth, Habib said service quality would be an immediate focus. &quot;We will improve services for passengers while restoring PIA&rsquo;s international reach,&quot; he said, outlining plans to upgrade cabin interiors, catering, check-in facilities, and onboard systems. The Privatization Commission, in a statement issued this week, said it is working jointly with the consortium, the government, and PIA management to complete all conditions precedent ahead of the first closing date.

Economy

The consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited formally notified Pakistan’s Privatization Commission of its intention to acquire the remaining 25% stake in the national carrier, completing a landmark transaction aimed at recapitalizing and expanding the airline.

PIA nears full privatization as consortium moves for remaining stake

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan High Commission in Singapore, in collaboration with Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay, organized a Qawwali performance titled &ldquo;At the Feet of the Beloved&rdquo; to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Singapore, drawing a large and diverse audience from diplomatic, business, cultural and community circles. The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, art enthusiasts, business leaders, the Pakistani diaspora and members of the public, reflecting the enduring friendship and growing people-to-people connections between the two countries. The performance featured renowned Qawwali artists Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali, nephews of legendary Qawwali maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who carried forward a 700-year-old Sufi musical tradition. Their soulful renditions captivated the audience and highlighted the spiritual depth and artistic richness of Pakistan&rsquo;s cultural heritage. Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan&rsquo;s High Commissioner to Singapore Rabia Shafiq said Qawwali, rooted in the teachings of Sufi saints, remains &ldquo;a powerful expression of love, harmony, and spiritual devotion&rdquo; and serves as &ldquo;a bridge that connects people across cultures and borders.&rdquo; She reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to promoting cultural understanding and strengthening people-to-people ties with Singapore through sustained cultural engagement. On the occasion, the high commissioner also hosted a reception for diplomats and distinguished guests, providing an opportunity for further interaction and engagement. The evening underscored Pakistan&rsquo;s rich cultural legacy and its continued commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Singapore through cultural diplomacy. The high commission expressed gratitude to its sponsors for their support in making the event a success. The commemorative event formed part of broader efforts to strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Singapore, underscoring the role of arts and cultural diplomacy in further deepening bilateral relations.

Foreign Affairs

The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, art enthusiasts, business leaders, the Pakistani diaspora and members of the public, reflecting the enduring friendship and growing people-to-people connections between the two countries.

Pakistan, Singapore mark 60 years of ties through qawwali

KYIV: Russia fired a record number of long-range attack drones at Ukraine in April, AFP analysis of data published by Kyiv&#39;s air force showed. The wave of attacks came with US-mediated talks on ending the conflict frozen and saw Moscow significantly increase the number of long-range drones fired in the middle of the day, a tactic Kyiv condemned as trying to inflict more civilian harm. Russia launched 6,583 long-range drones during the month, according to a compilation of daily reports published by Ukraine&#39;s air force. That was two percent more than the number fired in March, which was also a record at the time. According to the data, Ukraine managed to shoot down 88 percent of all incoming drones and missiles. Kyiv has touted its defences against drones as the best in the world, developed over four years of nightly Russian barrages of Iranian-style attack craft. Russia previously fired long-range drones at Ukraine almost exclusively in overnight attacks, but in recent weeks, daytime attacks have become more frequent in what analysts have called an approach designed to inflict more damage. &quot;Russia&#39;s new tactic of coupling a large nighttime strike with an equally large daytime strike will likely cause increased civilian harm,&quot; the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in April. &quot;Russia may aim for the daytime strike series to more heavily target civilians and civilian infrastructure including public and open-space areas, especially as warmer weather arrives and more Ukrainians are likely outside,&quot; the US-based think tank added. Pavlo Palisa, the deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelensky&#39;s office said the daytime attacks were a new attempt to &quot;terrorise civilians&quot; now that winter is over. Russia had barraged Ukraine&#39;s power and heating grid over the winter, leaving millions without hot water or communal heating in -20C temperatures. &quot;There is also an economic component here. Massive attacks in the middle of the working day significantly paralyse business,&quot; Palisa said in an interview with Ukrainian media in early April. Moscow denies targeting civilians and says its attacks target military and military-connected energy sites. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed since Russia invaded in February 2022, including hundreds in drone and missile strikes on apartment buildings across the country.

This handout photo taken and released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on April 29, 2026, shows a firefighter at the site of a Russian strike on a residential building in Shostka, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)

Russia fired a record number of long-range attack drones at Ukraine in April, AFP analysis of data published by Kyiv's air force showed.

Russia fired record number of drones at Ukraine in April: AFP analysis

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday marked International Labor Day with renewed pledges to protect workers&rsquo; rights, improve working conditions, and expand economic opportunities, as leadership paid tribute to the nation&rsquo;s labor force. President stresses dignity of labor, constitutional protectionsIn a message issued by the Press Information Department (PID), President Asif Ali Zardari acknowledged the struggle of workers, saying their sacrifices &quot;laid the foundation of modern labor rights&quot; through demands for fair wages, reasonable working hours, and dignified conditions. Recalling the origins of Labor Day, he referenced the 19th-century Chicago movement, where workers&nbsp;&quot;refused to be treated as machines,&quot; and&nbsp;demanded eight-hour work shifts. The statement said Pakistan&rsquo;s Constitution guarantees protection against exploitation, noting that Article 3 commits the state to &quot;eliminating all forms of exploitation&quot; and ensuring equitable distribution based on ability and work. Praising workers across sectors for driving national development, the president said &nbsp;&quot;the true strength of Pakistan lies in the hands of its laborers,&quot; adding that &quot;labor empowerment is the pathway to lasting national strength.&quot; &nbsp; &quot;Pakistan remains committed to upholding international labor standards and promoting fundamental rights at work, including fair wages, social protection, the elimination of forced and child labor, and non-discrimination&quot;, Zardari said. He also highlighted the role of overseas Pakistanis, saying their remittances support families, strengthen communities, and contribute to economic stability. We are committed to expanding technical and vocational education, enabling women&rsquo;s participation in the workforce, and creating pathways for our youth to access decent work, both at home and in global labor markets, the statement said. PM highlights workforce resilience, skills development initiativesPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a post on X, called workers<span style='color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;' id="isPasted">&nbsp;the &quot;backbone of society,&quot; recognizing the contributions of laborers, farmers, artisans, and professionals across industries. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2050063942270255264&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=8c50bf7c3d943761714bd47f263a89044b0e2cae&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &quot;Their sacrifices, hard work and perseverance keep the wheels of life moving, from fields to factories, construction sites to workshops, at local level and right to the global stage,&quot; he said. Pakistani workers demonstrate &quot;resilience, courage, and dignity&quot; in the face of challenges, the PM said, adding that the labor force reflects the country&rsquo;s &quot;industriousness and professional excellence.&quot; On policy measures, he reiterated the government&#39;s efforts to enhance workforce skills through the National Skills Development Policy, with a special emphasis on internationally recognized training, language proficiency, and certification to improve global employment prospects and ensure that the workforce secures dignified opportunities worldwide. Institutions such as the Employees&rsquo; Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and the Workers Welfare Fund (WWF) continue to provide pensions, housing, education and other services to workers and their families, the statement said. The PM called on all stakeholders, including the business community and industrialists, to uphold workers&rsquo; rights and ensure safe and fair working conditions. Both leaders emphasized the need for collective action to build an economy where labor is respected and adequately compensated.&nbsp;

Pakistan on Friday marked International Labor Day with renewed pledges to protect workers’ rights, improve working conditions, and expand economic opportunities, as leadership paid tribute to the country’s labor force.

Pakistan reaffirms commitment to workers’ rights, vows stronger protections on Labor Day

Web Desk/AFP

Americas

Embassy in Lebanon calls for meeting between Lebanese and Israeli leaders; UN chief Guterres warns of worsening global economic impact from Strait of Hormuz closure; Iranian president says US naval blockade is an extension of military operations; Trump says Iran "dying to make a deal."


US urges Israel-Lebanon talks as oil prices hit four-year high

Ayesha Mir

KARACHI: Former Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has described the Iran-US ceasefire and its extension as a major diplomatic success, saying Pakistan&rsquo;s mediation helped create the conditions for dialogue at a critical moment for regional and global stability. Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Bhutto-Zardari said Pakistan&rsquo;s recent diplomatic engagement played a key role in helping secure a ceasefire between Iran and the United States and later its extension, paving the way for negotiations after weeks of conflict that rattled regional security and global energy markets. &ldquo;The fact that you established a ceasefire, that&rsquo;s a success. The fact that you extended the ceasefire, these are massive successes,&rdquo; Bhutto-Zardari said. &ldquo;It means the difference between the world being at war or not.&rdquo; Bhutto-Zardari said the conflict, now in its eighth week, has carried consequences far beyond the immediate region, with strikes inside Iran, wider instability across the Middle East and disruptions in energy markets driving up fuel prices and worsening inflationary pressures worldwide. He argued that the economic burden of the conflict is being felt globally, not just by the countries directly involved. &ldquo;Every single one of us are paying the price of this conflict at the petrol pumps, at the grocery store, every single day,&rdquo; he said, adding that unresolved issues continue to weigh on the global economy despite the ceasefire. The former foreign minister stressed that Pakistan&rsquo;s role should not be viewed as a standalone national achievement but as part of a broader international effort to restore stability. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not a Pakistani victory&hellip; it is a victory for the international community,&rdquo; he said, adding that preserving the ceasefire and building toward a sustainable peace remained in the collective interest of all nations. Defending diplomacy as a long-term process, Bhutto-Zardari rejected expectations of immediate breakthroughs. &ldquo;This diplomacy is a process. It&rsquo;s not a cricket match that you either win or lose,&rdquo; he said, citing the years-long negotiations that culminated in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as evidence that meaningful diplomatic progress requires patience and persistence.

Talking to Pakistan TV Digital, the former foreign minister describes diplomacy as a process rather than a win-or-lose contest, stressing that meaningful progress demands patience and persistence, as shown by the years-long negotiations behind the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Iran-US ceasefire a diplomatic success, says ex-Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has joined ten other countries in strongly condemning Israel&rsquo;s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, calling the operation a violation of international law and demanding the immediate release of detained activists. In a joint statement issued early Friday, the foreign ministers of T&uuml;rkiye, Brazil, Jordan, Pakistan, Spain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Maldives, South Africa, and Libya denounced Israeli &ldquo;assaults&rdquo; on the Gaza-bound aid convoy. The flotilla, carrying humanitarian supplies and international activists, was attempting to challenge Israel&rsquo;s blockade on Gaza when it was intercepted in international waters earlier this week, according to organizers. The incident has intensified international criticism of Israel&rsquo;s military operations in Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian access to the enclave. The joint statement described the flotilla as &ldquo;a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative aimed at drawing the attention of the international community to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.&rdquo; It said Israel&rsquo;s actions against the vessels and the detention of activists &ldquo;constitute flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law.&rdquo; The ministers also voiced concern over the safety of those detained, urging Israeli authorities to ensure their &ldquo;immediate release.&rdquo; &ldquo;The Ministers are deeply concerned about the safety of the civilian activists,&rdquo; the statement said, calling on the wider international community to uphold international law, protect civilians and ensure accountability. Separately, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the &quot;illegal interception&quot; and the &quot;unlawful detention of activists onboard&quot; the flotilla, terming it a &quot;flagrant violation of international law and deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid.&quot; &quot;International community must step in to end repeated violations of international law by Israel, lift the blockade of Gaza, and ensure immediate release of all humanitarian workers and activists onboard the flotilla,&quot; FM Dar said. The diplomatic intervention follows growing alarm over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid access remains severely restricted amid the ongoing war. The flotilla mission had sought to deliver humanitarian supplies and draw attention to conditions inside the besieged Palestinian territory. Pakistan, which does not recognize Israel and has consistently supported Palestinian statehood, has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and unrestricted humanitarian access to civilians affected by the conflict.

The incident has intensified international criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and restrictions on humanitarian access to the enclave; joint statement describes flotilla as “a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative aimed at drawing the attention of the international community to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”





Pakistani factory worker finds peace amid extreme heat and hardship

Latest News

Pakistan moves to tighten lead safety, protect children’s health nationwide

Activists on Gaza aid flotilla detained by Israel disembark in Crete

Pakistani factory worker finds peace amid extreme heat and hardship

PIA nears full privatization as consortium moves for remaining stake

Pakistan, Singapore mark 60 years of ties through qawwali