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Pakistani scientist among first recipients of Saudi citizenship

In this file photo, released by Hospitals Magazine, Pakistani scientist Dr. Mehmoud Khan speaks at the Global Healthspan Summit in Riyadh on November 29, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Hospitals Magazine/File)
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Updated 07 July 2024
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Pakistani scientist among first recipients of Saudi citizenship

  • Saudi Arabia has opened its citizenship to highly skilled professionals to attract and retain exceptional global talent
  • People belonging to specialized fields such as science, culture, sports and technology can apply for Saudi citizenship
Updated 07 July 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani scientist who was brought up in England and went to a medical university is among the first recipients of Saudi citizenship, according to a list published by the financial news portal Argaam.
Saudi Arabia opened its citizenship to highly skilled professionals as part of its Vision 2030, aiming to attract and retain exceptional global talent to enhance the kingdom’s economic and social development.
A royal decree to this effect was issued in November 2021, allowing people belonging to specialized fields such as science, medicine, culture, sports and technology to apply for citizenship.
Dr. Mehmood Khan, who earned his medical degree from the University of Liverpool Medical School in England, was also mentioned in the list of all the high achievers who received Saudi citizenship.
Khan’s distinguished career includes a number of senior corporate roles, including Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of Global Research and Development at PepsiCo. and President of the Global R&D Center at Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
“I grew up in England. I haven’t had the chance to grow up in Pakistan,” he told OPEN Silicon Valley, an international organization of Pakistani entrepreneurs, in an interview wherein he said he was “proud to be Pakistani.”
Khan is now the CEO of Hevolution Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Riyadh that funds research through grants and provides investments in biotechnology to stimulate health sciences.
He has also managed academic programs like the Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Nutrition Trials Unit at the Mayo Clinic.
Other recipients of Saudi citizenship include:
Islam Zween, CEO of Argaam




Mohammed Zween is deemed a pioneer in the Arab world of a media model that emphasizes qualitative and educational content aimed at profitability. (File/Argaam)

Zween holds a Master’s degree from Alexandria University in Egypt, with over 25 years of experience in technology, media, and business management.
Over the past 18 years, Zween has dedicated his efforts to building pioneering digital projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, including “Argaam Financial Portal” and Akhbaar 24.com.
Since 2013, he has implemented a new strategy at Argaam, transforming it into the leading provider of financial media and data journalism in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. He also revamped the company’s business model, contributing to diversifying its revenue streams and achieving profitability.
Through Argaam, Zween has launched numerous initiatives and projects that enriched content related to financial data and investment awareness in the Kingdom. He has led many successful partnerships in the media and financial data fields with local and Gulf entities and made significant contributions to the development of financial media in the Kingdom and the Gulf. Under his leadership, Argaam won the Dubai Media Award for the best economic platform in 2023.
Jackie Y. Ying, Chair, Bioengineering & Nanomedicine Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center
Ying is an American scientist of Singaporean origin, who served as the founding executive director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore (2003-2018). She currently leads the NanoBio Lab and is a senior research fellow at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). She has published extensively on biomedical engineering and nanotechnology topics. Professor Ying was elected a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a member of the German National Academy of Sciences, and named one of the “100 Engineers of the Modern Era.” Professor Ying was elected a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a member of the German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina.
Niveen Khashab, founding member of KAUST




Following the completion of her ​​​​​PhD at the University of Florida, Niveen Khashab joined KAUST and became a professor of chemical science. (Supplied)

Khashab is a Lebanese scientist with advanced expertise and contributions in bioengineering and nanomaterials. She is a founding member of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and has been an associate professor of chemical science and engineering there since 2009. She is one of the laureates of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award in 2017 for her contributions to inventing innovative smart hybrid materials aimed at drug delivery and developing new technology to observe antioxidant activity between cells.
Noreddine Ghaffour, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, KAUST
Ghaffour is a French scientist who holds a PhD in membrane separation techniques from the University of Montpellier (1995) and is currently a professor of environmental science and engineering at KAUST. He specializes in water desalination techniques and has published articles and research on environmental science, renewable energy, and membrane separation.
Faraz Khalid, CEO of Noon




Khalid, who holds an MBA from The Wharton School, played an instrumental role in the success of Namshi, which was launched in 2012. (Supplied)

Khalid is an Indian entrepreneur with an MBA in entrepreneurial project management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is the CEO of the e-commerce platform Noon and co-founded Namshi, where he served as managing director and was responsible for creating, launching, and expanding the website.
Dr. Moutassem Azzubi, Chief Pediatric Neurosurgery at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital




Neurosurgeon Dr. Moutassem Azzubi has been recognised for his expertise and success in numerous conjoined twins separation surgeries. (X: @Moutasem7)

Azzubi is a Syrian neurosurgeon who has performed numerous conjoined twin separation surgeries in the Kingdom and abroad. He was recognized for his extension contributions to the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme and the team of surgeons under Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, adviser to the Royal Court, supervisor general of KSrelief.
Rami Al-Qawasmi, CEO of Mawdoo3.com




Rami Al-Qawasni holds a bachelor`s degree in Economics from Sussex University in the United Kingdom and started his business journey in Jordan. (Supplied)

Al-Qawasmi is known for his passion for artificial intelligence and startup development. He has created and developed over 10 companies before the age of 30. Under his leadership, Mawdoo3.com raised $23.5 million in a funding round.
Ahmed Mirghani, partner at BIM Ventures




Ahmed Mirghani has contributed to bringing many traditional investors into the world of venture capital. (Supplied)

Mirghani is a Sudanese entrepreneur with an MBA in entrepreneurship from Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship. He is a co-founder and a leading figure at BIM Ventures and founded the “Angel Investor Mine” network, which has significantly contributed to bringing many traditional investors into the world of venture capital and the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Topics: Saudi citizenship Dr. Mehmoud Khan Pakistan Saudi Ties

Pakistan condemns ‘excessive force’ by British police at Manchester airport after video of violence

Updated 25 July 2024
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Pakistan condemns ‘excessive force’ by British police at Manchester airport after video of violence

  • The video shows a police official kicking a British-Pakistani on his head before stamping his boot on it
  • The incident sparked protest outside Greater Manchester Divisional Police headquarters on Wednesday
Updated 25 July 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday expressed concern over the “use of excessive force” by British police at Manchester Airport after a video of officers hitting dual Pakistani nationals went viral, which later led to the removal of a male officer from operational duty and the arrest of four people.
The video showed the officer holding a taser over a man lying face down on the ground, with a woman in traditional Muslim attire next to him. The officer can be seen kicking the man’s head once before stamping his boot on it again and then using his knee to pin the man down.
He then moves toward another man, who can be seen holding his hands behind his head, telling him to kneel before kicking him in the stomach and pinning him to the ground.
Throughout the incident, two female police officers can be seen at the site trying to stop at least three men from filming. A London-based journalist working with a Pakistani media outlet confirmed that the arrested men were British-Pakistanis.

 
“We have seen the disturbing reports about the incident at Manchester Airport. Apparently, it involves dual-national Pakistanis,” foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said during a weekly news briefing on Thursday.
“We are obviously concerned about the conduct of the police and the excessive use of force in the viral video,” she continued. “We also advise all Pakistani nationals abroad to abide by the laws of the host country and respect the local culture, customs and legal system, police and cooperate with the local police.”
She confirmed the Pakistani mission in Manchester was in contact with the members of the Pakistani community and also the local police.
Earlier, Assistant Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry in Britain said three police officers were assaulted, a female officer’s nose had been broken, and other officers sustained injuries that required hospital treatment.
He also confirmed the arrest of four individuals on suspicion of assault and obstructing police in carrying out their duties.
However, he added: “We know that a film of an incident at Manchester Airport that is circulating widely shows an event that is truly shocking. The use of such force in an arrest is an unusual occurrence. One male officer has been removed from operational duties.”
According to Manchester Evening News, hundreds of people staged a protest outside the Greater Manchester Divisional Police (GMP) headquarters in Rochdale on Wednesday evening. It said some protesters had covered their faces and were chanting “GMP shame on you” while others used fireworks.
“We’re no longer going to settle for this police brutality,” the report quoted a protester as saying. “We put our trust in the police and what they do instead they inflict violence upon us when we surrender to them. This is supposed to be the police, instead, they are gangsters in uniforms. We’re not going to put up with this anymore.”
The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said he raised public concerns with the deputy chief constable, assuring that investigation into the issue would be handled properly.

Topics: manchester airport incident British Police

Pakistan PM to visit Tehran on July 30 for Iran’s president-elect’s inauguration

Updated 25 July 2024
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Pakistan PM to visit Tehran on July 30 for Iran’s president-elect’s inauguration

  • Masoud Pezeshkian won the presidential election held after Ebrahim Raisi’s death in helicopter crash
  • Pakistan and Iran have made peace overtures after exchanging airstrikes earlier this year in January
Updated 25 July 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office announced on Thursday Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Iran on July 30 to attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian.
This will be Sharif’s second visit to Iran in three months, as he previously visited the neighboring state to offer condolences on the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May.
Earlier this month, voters in Iran gave a decisive win to reformist candidate Pezeshkian in the runoff election against the ultraconservative Saeed Jalili to replace Raisi.
Pezeshkian is now required to take an oath in Iranian parliament before assuming the office of the head of the state next week.
“At the invitation of the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, [Shehbaz] Sharif, will visit Tehran on 30 July to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President-elect of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian,” the foreign office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, informed during her weekly media briefing.
She said the visit demonstrated the dedication of both countries to enhancing high-level interactions and bilateral collaboration.
“The visit attests to the commitment by the two countries to strengthen leadership level engagements and bilateral cooperation,” Baloch said.
Pakistan and Iran have had a history of rocky relations despite several commercial pacts. Their highest profile agreement is a stalled gas supply deal signed in 2010 to build a pipeline from Iran’s Fars gas field to Pakistan’s southern provinces of Balochistan and Sindh.
Pakistan and Iran also find themselves at odds due to the instability along their shared porous border, with their leaders routinely trading blame after militant attacks in their respective territories.
Earlier this year in January, Pakistan and Iran exchanged airstrikes, with each government claiming to have targeted militant hideouts in the other country.
Both states have since made peace overtures and restored bilateral ties through multiple high-level visits.

Topics: Pakistan Iran Masoud Pezeshkian

Religious affairs minister reports 50,000 Pakistanis missing in Iraq during religious tourism

Updated 25 July 2024
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Religious affairs minister reports 50,000 Pakistanis missing in Iraq during religious tourism

  • Chaudhry Salik Hussain shares the startling figure while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs
  • He says his ministry has formulated a new policy to address the issue, which is awaiting the federal cabinet’s approval
Updated 25 July 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain shared a startling figure on Wednesday while discussing the number of Pakistanis who went to Iraq for religious tourism but decided not to return, saying there were 50,000 such cases without specifying the period during which these people went missing occurred.
Every year, thousands of Pakistani pilgrims travel to Iran, Iraq and Syria to visit religious shrines in these countries.
During the briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the minister said the government had formulated a policy to streamline such visits to the Middle Eastern states, adding it was awaiting the approval of the federal cabinet.
A statement released after the committee’s proceedings reflected that participants discussed the issue at length.
“Chaudhry Salik Hussain revealed during the meeting that nearly 50,000 Pakistanis had gone missing in Iraq,” the statement said.
It informed the government wanted to promote the group system for pilgrims visiting the aforementioned countries, adding that Iraq had its own monitoring system for pilgrims on its borders.
The meeting also reviewed the issues faced by pilgrims at the Taftan border between Pakistan and Iran, which they mostly cross to visit the shrines in the three Middle Eastern states.
Meanwhile, Senator Raja Nisar Abbas, who is part of the Senate committee, said a majority of people who go missing in other countries travel there illegally.
He maintained that those who go for pilgrimage to these countries have their travel documents collected at the border.
He also highlighted the issues faced by pilgrims at the Taftan border, pointing out that they had to wait for several days in the absence of basic facilities.
Abbas proposed that a complaint cell be established for these people, similar to the one that helps Hajj pilgrims.

Topics: Salik Hussain

KSrelief sponsors five eye camps conducting over 2,000 surgeries in Pakistan

Updated 25 July 2024
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KSrelief sponsors five eye camps conducting over 2,000 surgeries in Pakistan

  • The camps were set up in Sindh and Balochistan provinces in areas with limited eye care services
  • Over 21,000 medical examinations were held and 4,683 pairs of corrective glasses distributed
Updated 25 July 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has successfully completed its sponsorship of five eye camps in Pakistan, conducting over 2,000 surgeries and distributing more than 4,500 pairs of corrective glasses, according to a statement on Thursday.
KSrelief has made significant contributions to Pakistan by providing food aid, medical supplies and disaster relief assistance. In recent years, it has actively supported Pakistani communities affected by natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes, and has launched health care projects including mobile clinics and vaccination campaigns.
This was the third phase of its project to combat blindness and eye diseases in the country, undertaken in collaboration with Al-Basar International Foundation and Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital Karachi, providing advanced eye care to individuals facing financial challenges or lacking access to specialized treatment.
“Throughout the program, more than 21,614 medical examinations and 2,038 surgeries were successfully performed,” said the statement released by the humanitarian organization. “Additionally, 4,683 pairs of corrective glasses were distributed, along with prescribed medications, ensuring comprehensive care for all patients.”
KSrelief said its camps were “strategically located” in both rural and urban areas of Sindh and Balochistan provinces, adding they targeted regions with limited eye care services.
“The primary objective was the early detection and treatment of eye-related issues to prevent blindness and improve the quality of life for thousands of people,” the statement added.
The organization described the impact of the initiative as “significant,” saying it benefitted communities in both provinces.
The camps were set up in Karachi, Shikarpur and Matli in Sindh, and Khuzdar district in Balochistan provided specialized eye care services.
KSrelief plans four more eye camps in September that will be set up in Kharan, Mardan, Jhelum and Talagang to facilitate more patients in other provinces as part of the third phase.

Topics: King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSrelief) Pakistan Saudi Ties

US declines to take position on Imran Khan’s incarceration, calls it Pakistan’s internal matter

Updated 25 July 2024
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US declines to take position on Imran Khan’s incarceration, calls it Pakistan’s internal matter

  • A group of British parliamentarians called for Khan’s release after holding a hearing with PTI members this week
  • Khan says all cases against him are fabricated and an attempt to keep him away from the country’s political arena
Updated 25 July 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A US State Department official said on Wednesday the administration in Washington does not take a position on Pakistan’s internal political matters after a question was raised about the continued incarceration of former prime minister Imran Khan, who was arrested last August and tried on a number of legal charges.
A group of British parliamentarians called for Khan’s release this week after holding a hearing attended by members of the ex-premier’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, who maintained that Pakistan was witnessing a deteriorating law and order situation and an increase in censorship.
Asking a question about the State Department’s budget request of $101 million to strengthen democracy in Pakistan, a journalist noted that Pakistan’s “biggest leader” was in jail for about a year while the US envoy, Donald Lu, had not made an effort to meet him.
“Internal political matters in Pakistan are something that we do not take a position on,” Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in response to him.
However, he added: “We urge respect for democracy, respect for human rights, and treatment of all political parties equally.”
Pakistan’s former prime minister was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 and blamed Washington for conspiring against his administration with the help of his political rivals at home, an allegation denied by US officials.
Earlier this month, a local court asked the authorities to set him free after his acquittal in one of the cases against him.
His sentence had previously been suspended in other legal matters. But just as he was about to be released, authorities in Pakistan decided to arrest him by bringing new charges against him.
Khan and his party have repeatedly said all cases against him are fabricated to keep him away from the country’s political arena.

Topics: Imran Khan

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