Renowned Pakistani singer and humanitarian Hadiqa Kiani is set to embark on a six-city fundraising tour across the United Kingdom, aiming to raise money for widows and orphaned children affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The initiative, organised in partnership with AlKhidmat Foundation and Aghoush UK, will feature a series of charity dinners held in Manchester, London, Nottingham, Birmingham, Peterborough, and Bradford between January 23 and 27. Kiani announced the campaign through an Instagram post on Thursday, describing the tour as a humanitarian effort to mobilise support for families left vulnerable by years of violence in Gaza. The tour will kick off in Manchester on January 23, followed by London on January 24. Nottingham and Birmingham will host events on January 25, while Peterborough and Bradford will conclude the series on January 26 and 27, respectively. Organisers have clarified that the events are fundraising dinners rather than musical concerts, and Kiani will not be performing at any of the venues. Tickets are priced at £40 for general admission, while VIP access costs £150 per person or £1,000 for a table of 10. Children under the age of six may attend free of charge, and early-bird discounts are available for selected dates. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hadiqa Kiani (@hadiqakianiofficial) Kiani’s involvement in humanitarian work has earned her widespread recognition. Through her non-profit initiative, Vaseela, she led the reconstruction of three villages destroyed by the 2022 floods in Balochistan. She also played a key role in coordinating relief operations during the 2025 floods in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Her sustained commitment to social causes was internationally acknowledged when she was named among the BBC 100 Women for 2024. Funds raised during the UK tour will be directed towards emergency relief and long-term support for Gaza’s most vulnerable families. Despite a ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in the region remains fragile, with continued violence and recent Israeli airstrikes reportedly claiming civilian lives, including journalists. Through the campaign, Kiani hopes to amplify global awareness of the humanitarian crisis and encourage collective action. She has repeatedly stressed that sustained international support is critical to easing the suffering of widows and children affected by conflict.
Balochistan govt, NBP launch subsidized electric scooter scheme for students, women
The Government of Balochistan and the National Bank of Pakistan on Wednesday launched a subsidized electric scooter scheme, aimed at improving mobility for students, working women, and the general public while promoting environmentally friendly transportation across the province. Under the initiative, electric scooters will be provided on easy, subsidized installments, making clean and affordable transport more accessible to a wide segment of society. The programme is part of the provincial government’s broader push to ease daily commuting challenges and encourage sustainable urban mobility. A formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Quetta. The event was attended by Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Provincial Minister Mir Sadiq Umrani, senior provincial officials, and top representatives of the National Bank of Pakistan. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Bugti described the scheme as a major step toward ensuring safe, affordable, and dignified commuting options, particularly for students and working women. He said the initiative would help reduce daily transportation hardships while offering a reliable alternative to conventional fuel-based vehicles. The chief minister noted that the promotion of electric scooters would also contribute to lower transportation costs and reduced environmental impact, aligning with the government’s goal of supporting eco-friendly and sustainable mobility solutions. Highlighting the provincial government’s focus on public welfare, Bugti said initiatives such as this directly improve the quality of life for citizens and play a key role in empowering women and young people. He added that expanding access to affordable transport was essential for enabling education, employment, and economic participation. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive development, the chief minister said the Balochistan government would continue introducing projects that deliver practical benefits, support long-term economic growth, and promote social progress across the province. Officials said further details regarding eligibility criteria, installment plans, and application procedures for the electric scooter scheme would be announced separately.
