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The Pakistani community in Qatar has spoken in unison, condemning Israel’s latest attack on their adopted homeland as “patently unjust, unethical and deplorable.” For a diaspora that proudly calls Qatar “our second home,” the assault is not only seen as a violation of sovereignty but as an affront to a nation admired worldwide for its steadfast role as a mediator and voice of reason in one of the world’s most turbulent conflicts. Talking to 'Gulf Times' last night, these community leaders from across business, education, and civic forums rallied in solidarity, pointing to Qatar’s “unwavering moral clarity and compassion” in pursuing dialogue over confrontation.Fawad Rana, Chairman, Pakistan Business CouncilThe Israeli attack is a continuation of its policy of using brutal force instead of dialogue, but in this case it is particularly reprehensible given that Qatar has, in the face of huge odds, continued to mediate in good faith to resolve the conflict. The dastardly attack on a sovereign state that is admired globally for its role as a mediator and facilitator across the board is patently unjust, unethical and deplorable. We stand in complete solidarity with the State of Qatar and its honourable citizens, and believe that eventually, the high moral ground that it always holds, will eventually prevail.Riyaz Ahmed Bakali, Director, The Next Generation SchoolQatar stands out on the world stage for its unwavering dedication to diplomacy, peaceful dialogue, and its significant role as a mediator in international disputes. Qatar, our beloved second home, serves as a haven of safety and security, consistently demonstrating its genuine desire for peace and harmony. As residents of Qatar, we express our strongest condemnation of the Israeli infringement upon Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Such actions undermine the principles upon which Qatar was founded and threaten the peace and security that we, as a community, cherish.Mohsin Mujtaba, Director, Product and Market Development, Qatar Stock ExchangeQatar has been our home for 22 years. What has kept us rooted here is our heartfelt conviction that Qatar stands with courage and dignity on the right side of history. Living here, we have been privileged to witness its unwavering moral clarity and compassion. The recent attacks, including yesterday’s, are a blatant violation of its sovereignty, targeting its principled stance on the two-state solution and its tireless efforts to secure a ceasefire through mediation and dialogue. But I’m confident history will honour Qatar, and we will remember this.Anwar Ali Rana, Chairman, Sohni DhartiAs a representative of the Pakistani community forum in Qatar, I strongly condemn the Israeli attack on Qatar, which is a clear violation of its sovereignty and international law. This act of aggression threatens peace and security, but we resolutely stand behind a country that has warmly welcomed and supported our community. The Pakistani diaspora stands in full solidarity with Qatar’s leadership and people, reaffirming their commitment to the nation’s safety, stability, and dignity. Such cowardly attacks only strengthens our resolve to support Qatar in its pursuit of justice and peace.Haroon Qureshi, Editor-in-Chief, Rahbar Kisan InternationalThe world has long admired Qatar’s foreign policy, built on friendship and peace for all nations. Yet Israel’s strike — carried out under the pretext of targeting Hamas inside Qatar — shocked everyone, and in reality, it must be seen as an attack on Qatar itself. Striking civilian areas and innocent people has always been Israel’s calling, and this latest act is nothing short of criminal, deserving the strongest condemnation. I pray that God keeps Qatar as a beacon of peace in the world, gives it the strength to stand firm against fascist regimes like Israel, and continues to protect and support this nation.

The Al Jaber Lusail Twin Tower is seen lit in the colours of Pakistan flag to mark the Pakistan Defence Day Saturday.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility Wednesday for a suicide bombing that authorities said killed 15 people and wounded dozens more at a political rally in southwestern Pakistan.The claim for Tuesday's attack in Quetta, capital of restive Balochistan province, was made through the group's propaganda arm.Balochistan interior minister Hamza Shafqat gave an updated death toll of 15.Dozens were also wounded in the attack by a suicide bomber with eight kilograms (17.5 pounds) of explosives in a stadium parking lot in Quetta, where hundreds of members of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) had gathered, Shafqat said.Balochistan, a province on the border with Iran and Afghanistan, is regularly the scene of violence, often carried out by militants from the regional branch of the Islamic State, or Baloch separatists.Balochistan is Pakistan's largest and most resource-rich province, but also its poorest, with roughly 70% of the population living below the poverty line.Pakistani forces have been battling an insurgency in the province for more than a decade. In 2024 the region saw a sharp rise in violence, with 782 people killed, according to the Center for Research and Security Studies in Islamabad.While Islamic State militants consider political parties and state institutions to be heretical, they rarely attack Baloch activists.But on Tuesday evening in the Quetta stadium parking lot as BNP rally participants were dispersing, a suicide bomber detonated explosives.IS published a photo of the alleged attacker, his face hidden by a scarf.BNP leader Akhtar Mengal, who at the time of the attack was leaving the rally after delivering a speech, posted on X that he was "safe, but deeply heartbroken at the loss of our workers." The BNP campaigns on a platform calling for greater rights and economic investment in the wellbeing of members of the Baloch ethnicity.Since 2014, China has invested significantly in building a road-and-infrastructure project in Balochistan linked to its One Belt One Road initiative.Many Baloch, however, say the benefits have been reaped only by outsiders.Since January 1, according to AFP figures, more than 430 people, mostly members of the security forces, have been killed in violence carried out by armed groups fighting the state in Balochistan and neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.Elsewhere in Balochistan on Tuesday, five paramilitary personnel were killed and four wounded when a homemade bomb exploded as their convoy passed through a district near the Iranian border, a senior local official told AFP.In March, Baloch Liberation Army separatists carried out a spectacular hostage-taking of some 350 people on a train there. Authorities said at least 31 people were killed.

Qatar residents and visitors have a final opportunity to immerse themselves in a captivating exploration of personal and collective memories at the “Printed Nostalgia” exhibition on view at Fire Station: Artists in Residence until September 1. The exhibition, curated by Saida Alkhulaifi and Fatima AlZaini, takes visitors on a journey through the evocative power of printed works at Gallery 4 of Fire Station. “Printed Nostalgia” showcases a diverse range of artistic perspectives, with contributing artists hailing from Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Morocco, Sudan, the US, the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Kenya, Yemen, Tunisia, Jordan, Iran, and Syria, among other countries. Through their prints, Qatar Museums (QM) noted that these artists dig deeper into themes of architecture, culture, migration, and the fabric of everyday life, creating a poignant space where emotions, identities, and histories converge. Each piece serves as a fragment of time, carefully preserved, shared, and reimagined for audiences to contemplate. Among the featured artists contributing their unique visions are Mubarak al-Thani (Qatar), Syeda Hiba Zehra (Pakistan), Jaili Hajo (Sudan), Ali Gad (Egypt), Meara Albast (US), Nuwair al-Hajeri (UAE), Rasha Yousif (Bahrain), Aleesha Suleman (Kenya), and Asli Gokce Musekura (Turkiye), alongside a host of other international talents. According to the QM, this show offers a distinct artistic experience for all who seek to understand the deep connections between art, memory, and the fundamental aspects of the human condition. It artfully blends various mediums, including digital illustration, photography, painting, collage, and written word, successfully transforming digital expressions into tangible, physical forms. The exhibition culminates in a specially designed cozy and reflective room, providing a quiet sanctuary for visitors to pause and reconnect with their own personal memories. This thoughtfully curated space honours the enduring and tangible power of remembrance, echoing the historical role of printed materials in preserving people’s stories. The artwork on display were carefully selected through an international open call that garnered 322 submissions from across the globe. From this extensive pool, 98 artists – whose works collectively represent a rich collection of voices and interpretations of nostalgia – were chosen. The Fire Station plays a crucial role in nurturing artistic talent by supporting artists and curators at all career stages. Through its comprehensive residency programmes, it provides vital working studio space, fosters creative exchange, and offers cultural enrichment both within Qatar and internationally through its Paris and New York residency programmes.

Pakistani authorities announced that they evacuated more than 150,000 people from areas along three major rivers in Punjab province after receiving a warning from India about the release of excess water from one of its dams.Pakistani officials explained that recent heavy rains and floods have caused water levels to rise dangerously, while the discharge of water from the Indian side threatens to submerge large parts of Punjab.A spokesperson for Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority indicated that evacuations began before the latest Indian warning and are still ongoing. He pointed out the number includes approximately 35,000 people who left voluntarily following previous warnings, while army forces are participating in the evacuation operations.The three rivers, the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab, are experiencing moderate to heavy flooding, amid warnings of further heavy rains in Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the coming hours.