黑料社区

Pakistani startup Bookme eyes $20 million annual revenue from 黑料社区 expansion

Special Pakistani startup Bookme eyes $20 million annual revenue from 黑料社区 expansion
Bookeme CEO and Founder, Faizan Aslam, is speaking at the Google SouthXChange Program at Google's headquarters in Singapore in 2024. (Faizan Aslam)
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Pakistani startup Bookme eyes $20 million annual revenue from 黑料社区 expansion

Pakistani startup Bookme eyes $20 million annual revenue from 黑料社区 expansion
  • Bookme is a Pakistani e-ticketing platform that offers online tickets for movies, events, flights and hotels
  • Bookme founder eyes expansion further into Middle East, African countries after gaining foothold in Kingdom聽

ISLAMABAD: The founder of a Pakistani leading e-ticketing platform, Bookme, said this week he expects the startup to generate $20 million annually from its expansion into 黑料社区, following its recent deal with the Kingdom鈥檚 leading delivery platform, Mrsool.聽

Founded in 2013, Bookme is Pakistan鈥檚 leading cashless e-ticketing platform, offering users online bookings for train and bus travel, flights, hotels, cinemas and other events. The startup has quickly gained a foothold across Pakistan, forging partnerships with major transport and fintech companies. Today, Bookme says it has over 14 million users.聽

Bookme entered the Saudi market in 2024 via a strategic partnership with Mrsool, a leading food and package delivery app in the Kingdom, and the Saudi Tourism Ministry (STA). In early 2025, it also signed a deal with flyadeal, a low-cost Saudi airline, to facilitate direct flight bookings between Pakistan and the Kingdom鈥檚 cities.

鈥淏ookme expects to generate around $20 million in additional annual revenue from its expansion in 黑料社区,鈥 the company鈥檚 founder and Chief Executive Officer Faizan Aslam told Arab News via telephone.

鈥淭he Mrsool contract alone is worth around $5 million annually and the flyadeal partnership is valued at approximately $4 million,鈥 he added.聽

He said Bookme鈥檚 integration with Mrsool was completed, adding that it was expected to go live by the end of July.

鈥淢rsool is one of the most popular mobile applications in 黑料社区 and very soon, its users will also be able to book airline tickets and make hotel reservations across the globe directly within the Saudi Mrsool app,鈥 Aslam said.

Aslam said Mrsool was the first 鈥渄rop of the rain,鈥 adding that Bookme had several other partnerships in the pipeline, including ones with the Kingdom鈥檚 leading banks and fintech companies.

Without disclosing any names, Aslam said Bookme had already signed three contracts, including ones with two banks that were pending approval from 黑料社区鈥檚 central bank.

Aslam said the users of these banks would soon be able to access similar services from their respective applications.

On its flyadeal collaboration, the Bookme founder said the platform had aimed to support the airline鈥檚 growth by tapping into its large user base built through strong traction within the Pakistani market.

He noted that flyadeal recently began flight operations from Karachi, adding that it is also set to launch services from Lahore and Islamabad soon.

鈥淭hrough this partnership, Bookme can help drive a significant number of new passengers to flyadeal,鈥 Aslam said.聽

Aslam shared that Bookme鈥檚 ticket fares were around 6鈥7 percent lower than the market average, with discounts rising to as much as 15 percent during seasonal promotions.

Aslam highlighted the e-ticketing platform鈥檚 partnership with the STA to promote the Kingdom as a top destination for Pakistani travelers.

鈥淲e are not a Hajj or Umrah operator or a traditional group travel agency,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e focus on business travelers, families and leisure passengers moving between Pakistan and 黑料社区,鈥 Aslam added.聽

He explained that Bookme runs campaigns, events and influencer marketing initiatives with the STA to position the Kingdom as a preferred destination for Pakistani travelers.

The startup is currently growing at approximately 130 percent year-on-year basis, Aslam said. He said the platform was expected to reach greater heights through its expansion into 黑料社区.

鈥淲ith the full-scale launch of operations in 黑料社区, our growth is expected to accelerate significantly, potentially reaching three to four times the current levels annually,鈥 the Bookme founder said.聽

Bookme has raised around $10 million in funding to date and plans to raise another funding round to support its broader regional expansion. Aslam, however did not disclose further details.

While 黑料社区 remains its primary focus, Bookme is also targeting expansion across the Middle East and Africa, using 黑料社区 as its regional base.

鈥淲e are trying to sign deals in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar through our Saudi office, with plans to expand into Africa鈥 starting with South Africa and Tanzania鈥 while our primary focus remains on the GCC and broader Middle East region,鈥 he said.


Digital, forensic evidence suggests actress Humaira Asghar Ali died in Oct. 2024 鈥 officials聽

Digital, forensic evidence suggests actress Humaira Asghar Ali died in Oct. 2024 鈥 officials聽
Updated 09 July 2025

Digital, forensic evidence suggests actress Humaira Asghar Ali died in Oct. 2024 鈥 officials聽

Digital, forensic evidence suggests actress Humaira Asghar Ali died in Oct. 2024 鈥 officials聽
  • Ali鈥檚 decomposed body was found at a flat in Karachi on Tuesday when a court bailiff arrived to vacate the rented property聽
  • Police cite phone data, social media inactivity to estimate death occurred nine months ago, family declines to claim body

KARACHI: Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar Ali is believed to have died at least nine months ago in October 2024 based on digital and forensic evidence, investigators told Arab News on Thursday, after her decomposed body was discovered this week in her Karachi apartment.

Ali鈥檚 remains were found at a flat in the city鈥檚 Ittehad Commercial area when a court bailiff arrived to vacate the rented property on Tuesday, following a complaint by the landlord. Police said the bailiff broke open the door and found the deceased inside.

Initially, Karachi Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed, who conducted the post-mortem, said the body鈥檚 鈥渧ery advanced stage of decomposition鈥 suggested death had occurred around a month prior.

However, police investigations into Ali鈥檚 phone records, her last social media activity and interviews with neighbors found no indication that she had been alive after October 2024, Arab News has found. Her last Facebook post was on September 11, 2024 and last Instagram post on September 30, 2024. Neighbors interviewed by police and reporters said they had not seen her since Sept-Oct last year. 

Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza confirmed that Ali鈥檚 phone was last active in October 2024, with the final recorded call placed that month.

鈥淎s per Call Detail Record (CDR) the last call was made in October 2024,鈥 Raza told Arab News, without offering further details.

Two officials with direct knowledge of the case, who declined to be named, said the estimated time of death was around October 2024.

鈥淗umaira鈥檚 body is likely nine months old,鈥 the first official said on condition of anonymity. 鈥淪he probably died between paying her last utility bills and when her electricity was disconnected in October 2024, probably due to non-payment of the bill.鈥

A second official who also requested anonymity said expired food items and rusted containers in the kitchen supported that timeline.

鈥淭he jars had rusted, and food had expired six months ago,鈥 the official said. 

There was only one other apartment on the same floor, which was vacant at the time, possibly delaying detection, investigators said. 

鈥淭he occupants of that apartment told us they returned in February, and by then the smell had faded. After ten to fifteen days, the odour starts to decrease. The balcony door had also been left open,鈥 the second official added.

Water pipes in the home were dry and rusted and no alternative power source was found. 

鈥淭here were no candles either,鈥 the official said.

Police surgeon Syed, who conducted the autopsy on Tuesday, returned to the apartment on Wednesday with senior officers.

鈥淲e have collected multiple surface samples from the scene, which have been sent to the laboratory,鈥 she said, declining to provide further comment.

Police said Ali鈥檚 family had declined to claim the body. It is unclear whether she was estranged from her relatives or what the exact reason was that they had refused to receive her remains. 

Ali rose to fame after winning Veet Miss Super Model in 2014 and appearing in reality show Tamasha Ghar in 2022.

She has featured in television dramas such as Just Married, Ehsaan Faramosh, Guru, and Chal Dil Mere. In cinema, she appeared in the 2015 action-thriller Jalaibee and later in Love Vaccine in 2021.


Pakistan military dismisses fears of Iran-style strikes on its nuclear sites

Pakistan military dismisses fears of Iran-style strikes on its nuclear sites
Updated 09 July 2025

Pakistan military dismisses fears of Iran-style strikes on its nuclear sites

Pakistan military dismisses fears of Iran-style strikes on its nuclear sites
  • Army says 鈥榥o concern whatsoever鈥 about becoming 鈥榥ext target鈥 after Israel-US attacks on Iran
  • Military spokesman warns any misadventure against nuclear Pakistan would have 鈥榟orrific consequences鈥

ISLAMABAD: Military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday there was 鈥渁bsolutely no concern鈥 within Pakistan鈥檚 military establishment that Pakistan could become the 鈥渘ext target鈥 for attacks on its nuclear facilities, following last month鈥檚 conflict between Israel and Iran.

In June, Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran鈥檚 nuclear sites after Tel Aviv claimed Tehran was close to developing nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denied. Pakistan condemned the Israeli and American strikes at the time, calling them a violation of international law. Islamabad has repeatedly assured the world that its nuclear assets are secure and intended solely for deterrence.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Chaudhry was asked if there were concerns Pakistan could be targeted next in light of recent developments in the Middle East.

鈥淭here is absolutely no concern, whatsoever, in the military, that Pakistan can become the next target,鈥 Chaudhry responded.

He said Pakistan was an established and declared nuclear power, adding that the world had never attempted a 鈥渕isadventure鈥 against a nuclear state.

鈥淎nd if such a misadventure is taken or attempted, then it will lead to horrific consequences which the world may not be able to endure,鈥 he warned.

The army spokesperson reiterated that seeking conflict with a nuclear-armed country was 鈥渁bsurd, sheer stupidity and inconceivable.鈥

His comments come amid heightened regional tensions and renewed focus on nuclear security following the Israel-Iran conflict. 

In early May, India and Pakistan engaged in their worst fighting in decades after Delhi blamed Islamabad for supporting an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, an allegation Pakistan denied. The clashes included missile strikes, fighter jet operations, artillery fire and drone attacks, leaving more than 70 dead on both sides before a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.

Though the ceasefire has held, tensions remain high. India has since put a decades-old water-sharing agreement on hold, with Islamabad warning that any attempt to divert or stop its waters would be treated as an 鈥渁ct of war鈥 and met with full force.


Pakistan waives all duties, taxes on sugar imports to curb price hikes

Pakistan waives all duties, taxes on sugar imports to curb price hikes
Updated 09 July 2025

Pakistan waives all duties, taxes on sugar imports to curb price hikes

Pakistan waives all duties, taxes on sugar imports to curb price hikes
  • Announcement comes as sugar prices surge to Rs200 [$0.70] per kg in several parts of Pakistan
  • Pakistan to import 350,000 tons of sugar in two phases initially, says food security ministry聽

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan鈥檚 National Food Security Ministry announced on Wednesday it has decided to waive all duties and taxes on sugar imports to ensure the product is available to the public at affordable prices. 

In Pakistan, high sugar prices have triggered public outcry and become flashpoints for opposition criticism in the past, with allegations of hoarding and cartelization frequently surfacing in election years or periods of economic volatility.

The latest announcement from the ministry comes as sugar prices surge to nearly Rs200 [$0.70] per kilogram in several parts of the country, triggering public concern. National Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain chaired a meeting of the steering committee on sugar on Wednesday, which decided to import the commodity through the Trade Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to ensure transparency and quality control. 
鈥淭o facilitate this process, the government has exempted all duties and taxes on sugar imports so that sugar can be made available to the general public at affordable prices and inflationary pressures can be eased,鈥 the ministry said in a statement. 

It said sugar will be imported initially in two phases. In the first phase, a tender for 200,000 metric tons of sugar will be issued, followed by another tender for 150,000 metric tons after one week.

The ministry said these import quantities have been determined in line with immediate market requirements and anticipated demand in the coming weeks.

鈥淭he imported sugar will be of premium quality, meeting standard market expectations鈥 specifically, the coarse-grain variety commonly used by consumers,鈥 the statement said.

鈥淎dditionally, post-shipment inspection will be strictly enforced to ensure that quality standards are upheld.鈥

Hussain said the government would deploy a streamlined and 鈥渁ctive system鈥 to guarantee timely distribution of imported sugar across the country, leaving no room for hoarding or profiteering.

鈥淗e expressed hope that this strategic intervention will help stabilize sugar prices in the local market and significantly ease the financial burden on consumers,鈥 the ministry said. 


Saudi aviation team to conduct security audit of seven Pakistani airports in August

Saudi aviation team to conduct security audit of seven Pakistani airports in August
Updated 09 July 2025

Saudi aviation team to conduct security audit of seven Pakistani airports in August

Saudi aviation team to conduct security audit of seven Pakistani airports in August
  • Saudi team to conduct audit at airports in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Multan, says official
  • 黑料社区鈥檚 aviation team expressed satisfaction with Pakistan鈥檚 aviation security procedures in its last audit two years ago聽

KARACHI: A Saudi aviation team will conduct a security audit of seven Pakistani airports in August, a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) spokesperson said on Wednesday. 

The security audit will cover airports in Pakistan鈥檚 Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Multan cities, PCAA spokesperson Shahid Qadir said.

He said the director-general of 黑料社区鈥檚 General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has approached Pakistan鈥檚 DG PCAA, Nadir Shafi Dar, to conduct the aviation security audit. 

鈥淎 Saudi aviation security team will visit Pakistan in the coming month and will conduct this audit in August and onwards,鈥 Qadir told Arab News. 

The Saudi aviation team is coordinating closely with the PCAA鈥檚 Directorate of Aviation Security (AvSec), which will host the visiting delegation, Qadir said. The PCAA鈥檚 director general has designated the AvSec director to oversee the audit process, he added. 

This marks the second such audit by Saudi aviation authorities, who conducted their inaugural security assessment of Pakistan in 2023. The Saudi team later expressed satisfaction with Pakistan鈥檚 aviation security procedures, which involve multiple stakeholders such as the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA), the Airport Security Force (ASF), airlines, cargo handlers and catering companies.

The development takes place as Pakistan鈥檚 civil aviation sector shows marked improvement in international benchmarks.

Following the separation of the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) from the PCAA and the enactment of the Civil Aviation Authority Act, Pakistan has achieved a score of 86.73 percent in the International Civil Aviation Organization鈥檚 Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP). 

As per the PCAA, this rating is higher than the global average of 71 percent and India鈥檚 73 percent.

Separately, a two-member team from the United Kingdom鈥檚 Department for Transport (DfT) began its aviation security assessment of the Islamabad International Airport on Tuesday.

The team, accompanied by a representative of the British High Commission, will review airport security procedures, catering, and flight operations over its three-day visit.

鈥淎ll aviation security stakeholders, including PAA officials, ASF personnel and representatives from PIA, British Airways, Air Blue, Kitchen Cuisine, Ras Menzies and others attended the initial briefing,鈥 a PCAA handout said.

The PCAA said Pakistan has previously performed well in the UK鈥檚 DfT audits, saying that officials are optimistic about the outcome of the latest assessment. 

The PCAA said its director general has also initiated engagement with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in pursuit of direct flight operations to the US.

The development follows Pakistan鈥檚 national carrier resuming flights to Europe in January after the European aviation safety agency lifted its four-year ban on the airline.

Pakistan International Airlines has also approached UK authorities for permission to resume its services to the country. 

PIA was banned by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), UK and the US after Pakistan opened an investigation into the validity of pilots鈥 licenses following a PIA plane crash in Karachi in May 2020 that killed 97 people.


Police say militants behind quadcopter attacks in northwest Pakistan that killed one, injured three

Police say militants behind quadcopter attacks in northwest Pakistan that killed one, injured three
Updated 09 July 2025

Police say militants behind quadcopter attacks in northwest Pakistan that killed one, injured three

Police say militants behind quadcopter attacks in northwest Pakistan that killed one, injured three
  • No group has claimed responsibility for attacks, one of which police say targeted a police station in Bannu
  • Pakistan鈥檚 military blamed militant outfits backed by India for drone attacks that killed four children in May

PESHAWAR: One woman was killed while three others were injured in two quadcopter attacks in northwestern Pakistan this week, a police official said on Wednesday, blaming militants for carrying out the assault. 

The first attack took place on Tuesday night in the northwestern tribal Bannu district鈥檚 Srah Bangla area, District Police Officer (DPO) Saleem Abbas Kulachi said. The quadcopter strike killed a woman and left three injured, including two children, he added.

The second attack targeted the Miryan Police Station in the same district at 6:45 am on Wednesday, he said. The police officer added that an explosive-laden quadcopter deployed by the 鈥淜hawarij鈥 had struck the facility.

Khawarij is a commonly used term by Pakistani authorities to describe extremist factions like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

鈥淭hese attacks are being carried out by militants who have acquired and deployed quadcopters in carrying out attacks,鈥 Amir Khan, a media officer for the regional police officer in Bannu, told Arab News.

He did not provide further details. Kulachi, however, said an investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the Miryan Police Station attack.

The TTP, which has carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistan鈥檚 armed forces and civilians since 2007, has not claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

On May 19, a suspected drone strike reportedly led to the deaths of four children in Hurmuz village of the northwestern Mir Ali tehsil and injuries to five others, including a woman.

Pakistan鈥檚 military denied responsibility for the attack days later, attributing the incident to a proscribed militant network which it said was operating on 鈥渢he behest of their Indian masters.鈥

鈥淚nitial findings have established that this heinous act has been orchestrated and executed by Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khawarij,鈥 the military鈥檚 media wing said in a statement.

Later in May, police said at least 22 people were wounded in another suspected quadcopter attack near a volleyball ground in Pakistan鈥檚 South Waziristan district.

The police spokesperson had said the origins and operators of the drone remained 鈥渦ndetermined.

Islamabad has repeatedly blamed Afghanistan-based militant groups for launching attacks inside Pakistan, a claim that Kabul denies.

Pakistan also blames India for backing militant groups in its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. India denies the allegations.