ABU DHABI: Twenty-nine illegal Pakistani immigrants were arrested while coming ashore here only 10 days after at least 30 Pakistanis died in a similar attempt to enter the country, coast guard officials said yesterday [Sept 30]. The officials were confirming a report in the newspaper “Al-Wahda” that said the Pakistanis were arrested before dawn on Wednesday [Sept 29]. They were said to be passengers of an Iranian-owned boat seen approaching a beach at Ras Al-Khaimah, the northern-most emirate in the … (UAE). The boat, its skipper and crew of eight were taken into custody… . — News agencies

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Istanbul,] world heavyweight boxing champion Mohammad Ali said today [Oct 1] he was quitting the ring “as of today”. “I want to announce at this moment in this country that I retire from boxing as of today,” Ali, who arrived in Istanbul this morning … said. The 34-year-old champion was responding to a request by Wallace Mohammad, leader of American Muslims, that Ali quit the ring and use “the fist of his tongue” in the cause of Islam. … The champion [said], “I want to say that it has been my lifetime dream to be champion and retire from the ring and then use my influence and fame in the work of Islam and Allah.”

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2026