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Chehlum and Fateha Khawani Held in Karachi for Veteran Journalist Munawar Naqvi

KARACHI: The Chehlum and Fateha Khawani of the late Syed Munawar Hussain Naqvi, one of Pakistan’s most senior and respected journalists, were held on Sunday at Imam Bargah Yasrab, Phase IV, DHA Karachi. The veteran journalist had passed away in Islamabad on August 31, 2025. The solemn ceremony was organized by his son Muhammad Abbas Naqvi (Shani) and his brother Manzar Naqvi, Executive Editor of The Financial Daily International.

The gathering was marked by profound reverence and remembrance of the late journalist’s lifelong services to Pakistani journalism. A large number of prominent personalities from the fields of media, literature, academia, diplomacy, and civil society attended to pay their respects and offer condolences to the bereaved family.

Allama Syed Ammar Ali Shah Naqvi, Trustee of Shah-e-Najaf Imambargah Martin Road, delivered an insightful address during the Majlis-e-Chehlum, reflecting on the moral and spiritual values that define a purposeful human life. He emphasized the importance of sincerity, humility, and service to humanity — qualities that, he noted, were deeply embodied in the life and character of Syed Munawar Hussain Naqvi.

Renowned Marsiya Khawan Syed Masood Rizvi recited a heart-touching Marsiya, while famous poets of Farsh-e-Aza — Abbas Naqvi, Kamal Amrohvi, and Maisam Naqvi Amrohvi — presented soulful Salam and Nauha in tribute to the departed soul. Senior journalist Qaisar Masood Jafri and Amir Kazmi of Fizza Multimedia also spoke briefly about the late journalist’s remarkable career, his dedication to truth, and his unwavering journalistic integrity.

The event was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Mubasher Mir, President Karachi Editors Club; Aqeel Jafri, senior advertising professional; Iqbal Jamil, veteran sports journalist and PTV Sports personality; Brigadier Karar Hussain; G.H. Thaver, senior banking professional; Ali Zeb, Senior Vice President National Bank of Pakistan; former Ambassador Hassan Habib; and corporate lawyer Shaharyar Zaidi, along with many other notable figures from different walks of life. They joined together to pay tribute and express their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

A large number of ladies also attended the Majlis-e-Aza, offering prayers for the Eesal-e-Sawab of the late Munawar Hussain Naqvi.

The ceremony concluded with special prayers led by Allama Syed Ammar Ali Shah Naqvi for the maghfirat and bulandi-e-darajat (elevation of ranks) of the departed soul.

Family members, including his son Muhammad Abbas Naqvi and brother Manzar Naqvi, personally received condolences from friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. Participants fondly remembered Munawar Naqvi as a humble, honest, and pioneering figure in English journalism whose decades of service left an indelible mark on Pakistan’s media landscape.

The proceedings of the event were gracefully conducted by renowned poet Abbas Naqvi, who led the ceremony with heartfelt devotion and dignity.

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Pakistani Students’ UK Visa Delays Raised by Azam Nazeer Tarar with British High Commissioner

Azam Nazeer Tarar with UK High Commissioner

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting discussed Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the Federal Minister raised the issue of delays in UK visas for Pakistani students and conveyed the Government of Pakistan’s concern to the British High Commissioner.

Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that hundreds of Pakistani students were facing difficulties due to delays in visa processing, with a risk that the delays could result in the loss of their academic year. He stressed the need to remove obstacles faced by Pakistani students seeking education abroad and facilitate them in this regard.

The Federal Minister briefed the British High Commissioner that, on the directives of the Prime Minister, a committee under his chairmanship was working to improve the legal and institutional framework concerning Pakistani students studying abroad.

He further informed the High Commissioner that, on the Prime Minister’s directives, the committee had finalized its recommendations on the matter, and work was underway to further improve the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students pursuing education abroad.

The Federal Minister said that the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students seeking education abroad was being improved to develop an effective mechanism for addressing the issues faced by students.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott assured the Federal Minister that the issue of delays in visas for Pakistani students would be addressed.

The meeting also discussed further strengthening educational linkages between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, as well as enhancing institutional cooperation and engagement between the two countries.

Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Barrister Aqeel Malik was also present during the meeting.

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Naqvi Sets September 30 Deadline for Completion of Islamabad Safe City Expansion

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, visited the Islamabad Safe City Headquarters on Friday and chaired a special meeting to review progress on the Safe City Expansion Project, directing officials to complete the ambitious initiative by September 30.

During the briefing, officials informed the minister that overall work on the expansion project has reached 85 percent completion. Installation of the new surveillance network is also 85 percent complete, while 415 kilometres of optical fibre have been laid to support the upgraded system. Work on the data centre, cyber architecture, and cybersecurity infrastructure has also reached approximately 80 percent completion.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work, Naqvi stressed that the remaining tasks must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He said the government’s vision is to transform the Islamabad Safe City into a modern, smart, and world-class institution comparable to those in developed countries.

The interior minister said the technologically advanced Safe City system would significantly strengthen public safety through enhanced surveillance, effective monitoring, and rapid emergency response capabilities.

He noted that the project would play a vital role in improving law enforcement efficiency and ensuring better security for residents of the federal capital.

Naqvi also assigned officials the task of completing the state-of-the-art Fusion Centre within the next three months, describing it as a critical component of the upgraded Safe City network.

He further directed the relevant authorities to finalise the Safe City Bill at the earliest and present it before the National Assembly without delay to provide the legal framework necessary for the project’s long-term operation and expansion.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Interior, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), senior Safe City officials, and other relevant officers, who briefed the minister on the progress and future roadmap of the expansion project.

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PM Shehbaz, high-level delegation perform Umrah; pray for country’s progress

MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with his high-level delegation, performed Umrah here on Friday.

He was accompanied by his delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi.

The door of Khana Kaaba was opened specially for the prime minister and his delegation.

Following the completion of the Umrah rituals, the prime minister, field marshal, and other members of the Pakistani delegation offered special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country, the safety and unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for regional and global peace.

The prime minister arrived in Jeddah on Thursday evening for a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Besides meeting with his Saudi counterpart, he will also pay a visit to the Roze-e-Rasool (PBUH) in Madinah.