Ali Bin Mubarak Al-Khateer

In a world where conflict too often overshadows cooperation, the State of Qatar has pursued a path firmly anchored in the principles of peace, dialogue, and mutual respect. Qatar has earned a global reputation as a neutral and reliable mediator trusted to facilitate dialogue and bring parties together. This is not merely a policy choice of convenience; it is a constitutional commitment. Article 7 of Qatar&rsquo;s Constitution clearly stipulates mediation as a cornerstone of our foreign policy: &ldquo;based on the principle of encouraging peaceful resolution of international disputes.&rdquo; Guided by this principle, Qatar has consistently worked to manage conflicts and foster peaceful settlements, whether at the inter-state level or between states and non-state actors. Since the early 2000s, Qatar has successfully mediated ceasefires, facilitated hostage releases and prisoner exchanges, launched national dialogue processes among other initiatives, contributing to peace facilitation and agreements in many conflicts at both regional and international levels. Nowhere is Qatar&rsquo;s commitment to peace more visible than in its sustained mediation efforts regarding Palestine. Qatar has consistently supported international initiatives to alleviate humanitarian suffering and facilitate dialogue aimed at ceasefires and long-term stability. Qatar&rsquo;s efforts have included humanitarian assistance, reconstruction support, and diplomatic engagement with all relevant actors, always with the goal of protecting civilian lives and advancing the cause of a just and lasting peace.&nbsp; Our efforts are not conducted in isolation. Qatar has built partnerships with leading countries in the field of mediation, including memoranda of understanding with Sweden, Norway, and Finland. These agreements, and others with bilateral partners, enhance knowledge sharing and cooperation, ensuring that best practices inform every negotiation process. For Pakistan, a brotherly nation with whom we share deep historical and cultural ties and a common vision of regional stability, Qatar&rsquo;s mediation efforts hold special significance. Pakistan&rsquo;s own contributions to regional peace reflect its understanding of the challenges of conflict resolution. Together, our two countries can promote dialogue, cooperation, and diplomacy across South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Qatar promotes both Track I diplomacy (state-to-state negotiations) and Track II approaches that include civil society, women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and other marginalized groups. This inclusive approach reflects our belief that sustainable peace requires the voices of all stakeholders. Qatar&rsquo;s mediation affirms that peace is not the monopoly of the powerful, but the responsibility of all. Guided by respect for sovereignty and non-interference, Qatar will continue to act as a bridge-builder and engage in mediation only with the consent of all parties. This principle of consent and neutrality is precisely why Qatar has been consistently invited to facilitate some of the world&rsquo;s most complex and sensitive dialogues. At a time when the world is marked by uncertainty, Qatar remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering dialogue and reconciliation. We stand ready, with partners like Pakistan, to demonstrate that peaceful resolution is not only possible but essential for a stable and just global order. The author is the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani

Articles

Qatar, guided by its Constitution, has built a reputation as a neutral mediator, advancing peace through dialogue, humanitarian action in Palestine, and partnerships with countries like Pakistan to promote regional stability and conflict resolution.

Qatar and international conflict mediation

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has stressed that terrorists operating from sanctuaries across the border in Afghanistan will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan&rsquo;s security. The CDF made the remarks during his visit to Kurram, where he spent Eid-ul-Fitr with troops and officers, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday. He offered Eid prayers with soldiers and prayed for the country&rsquo;s peace, stability and prosperity. Interacting with officers and troops, the CDF extended Eid greetings and praised their high morale, professionalism and unwavering commitment in safeguarding the nation. He commended the troops for their performance in Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, noting that the operation is focused on dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring lasting peace in border regions. Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s stance, the CDF said Afghan soil must not be used by hostile elements to carry out activities against Pakistan, while underscoring the country&rsquo;s commitment to regional peace and stability. Paying tribute to the martyrs, he said the success of ongoing operations is rooted in the sacrifices of fallen soldiers and the determination of officers and jawans. He also expressed pride in the troops&rsquo; steadfastness and reiterated the armed forces&rsquo; resolve to defend Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Upon arrival, the CDF was received by the Corps Commander Peshawar, the ISPR said.

Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir offers Eid-ul-Fitr prayers with troops during his visit to Kurram on March 21, 2026. (Photo: ISPR)

Security

Makes the remarks during his visit to Kurram, where he spent Eid-ul-Fitr with troops and officers, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations.

Pakistan will not allow Afghan-based terrorists to threaten its security, says CDF

DHAKA: Bangladesh is pushing to secure loans of around $2 billion from multilateral agencies for tackling energy security concerns amid soaring global fuel prices driven by the Mideast war. The government has already taken several measures to curb fuel consumption, including halting production at most fertiliser factories. The government has now adopted a three-pronged approach to ensure sustainable energy supply, the prime minister&#39;s finance and planning advisor Rashed Al Titumir said Saturday. &quot;Part of that is securing loans,&quot; Titumir told AFP. &quot;The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has committed $1.3 billion, while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged $500 million as budget support,&quot; Al Titumir said, adding the government was pursuing the loans for early disbursement. The government may also approach the World Bank. &quot;As we want to keep foreign currency reserves intact, we have limited options other than seeking loans,&quot; Al Titumir said. The government is also exploring alternatives for sourcing energy from &quot;North America, South America or Africa&quot;. &quot;We are exploring all available options for alternative energy sources,&quot; Al Titumir said. Bangladesh -- which imports 95 percent of its oil and gas needs -- has not raised electricity and fuel prices despite the global surge. Most crude fuel is sourced from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while around 35 percent of gas supply also comes from the Middle East. An attack on a site at Qatar&#39;s Ras Laffan LNG hub could disrupt gas supply, given the country&#39;s reliance on the facility. Since the outbreak of the Mideast war, authorities have taken several measures to curb fuel consumption. These include setting limits on fuel purchases, halting production at most fertiliser factories, deploying police to patrol filling stations, and using the navy to escort LNG shipments.

Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for Finance and Planning. (File photo: BSS)

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is pushing to secure loans of around $2 billion from multilateral agencies for tackling energy security concerns amid soaring global fuel prices driven by the Mideast war.

Bangladesh rushes to secure $2bn loan amid energy crisis

SAN FRANSCISCO: A federal jury in California found Friday that tech tycoon Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders, driving down the company&#39;s share price as he was poised to buy it in a $44 billion deal. The verdict in the class action securities lawsuit means the world&#39;s richest person could be ordered to pay billions of dollars, according to damages calculated by jurors. Minutes after the judgment was announced, the entrepreneur&#39;s lawyers informed AFP that their client will appeal the decision, characterizing it as a &quot;setback.&quot; After a three-week trial in a San Francisco federal court &mdash; which included in-person testimony from Musk &mdash; the jury found that two tweets posted in May 2022 by the Tesla and SpaceX CEO contained false statements responsible for a plunge in Twitter&#39;s share price. Investor Giuseppe Pampena had filed the suit on behalf of people who sold Twitter shares between mid-May and early October 2022. Musk acquired the social media platform in late October 2022 and later renamed it X. Jurors agreed that Musk violated a securities rule that bars false and misleading statements that sink a stock price, in this case that of Twitter, the verdict form showed. An attorney for the plaintiffs estimated the damages at about $2.6 billion. Musk, who has a near-constant presence on X, did not immediately react to the verdict. Teflon tycoon?The judgment marks a rare legal defeat for Musk, often dubbed &quot;Teflon Elon&quot; for his ability to emerge unscathed from lawsuits he is expected to lose. His lawyers, in fact, reminded AFP of this track record, noting that a Texas court cleared him just that same day in a separate defamation case. In 2023, a jury in the same San Francisco federal court cleared him within hours of similar charges brought by Tesla shareholders, following his 2018 tweets claiming he had the funding to take the automaker private. The civil complaint in California accused Musk of driving down Twitter&#39;s stock price to gain leverage to renegotiate the purchase price or get out of the deal completely, causing people who sold shares to lose money. Musk tweeted at one point during the process that the acquisition deal was temporarily on hold until Twitter executives could prove the percentage of &quot;bots&quot; &mdash; fake accounts run by software instead of real users &mdash; was as low as the social media platform claimed. The plaintiffs contended that these statements were part of a scheme designed to pressure the board of directors into accepting a price lower than his initial offer &mdash;&nbsp;at a time when Tesla&#39;s share price was falling, meaning Musk would have to sell more of his shares to finance the deal. Musk abandoned his effort to get out of buying Twitter in late 2022 after the company took him to court to uphold the contract. Musk has since merged the social media platform with his artificial intelligence startup xAI and his private space exploration firm SpaceX. Forbes magazine early this month estimated Elon Musk&#39;s net worth at $839 billion, a figure based primarily on his stakes in his portfolio of companies including Tesla and SpaceX.

This combination of pictures created on October 10, 2023, shows (L) SpaceX, Twitter and electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk during his visit at the Vivatech technology startups and innovation fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, 

Gadgets

The verdict in the class action securities lawsuit means the world's richest person could be ordered to pay billions of dollars, according to damages calculated by jurors

US jury finds Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders

GENEVA: A UN expert claimed Israel was systematically torturing Palestinians on a scale &quot;that suggests collective vengeance and destructive intent&quot;, in a report released to the media on Friday. Francesca Albanese, the UN&#39;s special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, said that since Hamas&#39;s October 7, 2023, attack, which triggered the Gaza war, Palestinians in custody &quot;have been subjected to exceptionally ruthless physical and psychological abuse&quot;. AFP has sought a comment from Israel&#39;s mission in Geneva, which has previously accused Albanese of being motivated by an &quot;obsessive, hate-driven agenda to delegitimize the state of Israel&quot;. Albanese has faced harsh criticism, allegations of anti-Semitism, and demands for her removal from Israel and some of its allies, over her relentless criticism and long-standing accusations of &quot;genocide&quot;. Last month, France and Germany called for her to resign following her remarks to a forum in Doha. Albanese said they had done so based on &quot;false accusations&quot; and a &quot;manipulation&quot; of what she had actually said. Though appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, special rapporteurs are independent experts and do not speak on behalf of the United Nations itself. &#39;Unprecedented scale&#39;&nbsp;A statement accompanying her new report said that while Albanese &quot;unequivocally condemns torture and other forms of ill- treatment committed by all actors, including Palestinian armed groups&quot;, this report &quot;focuses on Israeli conduct&quot;. Entitled &quot;Torture and genocide&quot;, the report &quot;examines Israel&#39;s systematic use of torture against Palestinians from the occupied Palestinian territory since October 7, 2023&quot;. It claimed that &quot;torture in detention has been used on an unprecedented scale as punitive collective vengeance&quot;. &quot;Brutal beatings, sexual violence, rape, lethal mistreatment, starvation, and the systematic deprivation of the most basic human conditions have inflicted profound and lasting scars on the bodies and minds of tens of thousands of Palestinians and their loved ones,&quot; the report said. &quot;Torture has become integral to the domination of and punishment inflicted on men, women and children, both through custodial abuse and through a relentless campaign of forced displacement, mass killings, deprivation and destruction of all means of life to inflict long-term collective pain and suffering,&quot; it said. Israel is party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Albanese said she had gathered written submissions, including over 300 testimonies. &#39;Widespread humiliation&#39;Albanese said that since October 2023, arrests of Palestinians in the occupied territories had &quot;escalated dramatically&quot;, with more than 18,500 people arrested, including at least 1,500 children. The report said around 9,000 Palestinians were still in detention, while &quot;more than 4,000 have been subjected to enforced disappearance&quot;. Albanese said Israel&rsquo;s detention system &quot;has descended into a regime of systemic and widespread humiliation, coercion, and terror&quot;. She said Israel should &quot;immediately cease all acts of torture and ill-treatment of the Palestinian people as part of its ongoing genocide&quot; and urged all countries &quot;to do everything in their power to stop the destruction of what remains of Palestine&quot; as every delay &quot;worsens irreversible harm and further entrenches a system of cruelty&quot;. Albanese urged the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to request arrest warrants for Israel&#39;s Defence Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. She is due to present her report to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.

A representative of Qatar is seen on screens as he delivers a speech on human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran during a session of the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva on March 16, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

Middle East

Americas

Francesca Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur on the rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, said that since Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack, which triggered the Gaza war, Palestinians in custody "have been subjected to exceptionally ruthless physical and psychological abuse".

UN expert claims Israel using 'systematic' torture

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan marked Eid ul Fitr with religious devotion, vibrant celebrations, and a strong message of unity, as millions gathered for special prayers while the country balanced festivity with economic caution amid a global crisis. From the early hours of the morning, worshippers, including children dressed in new clothes, thronged mosques and open prayer grounds across cities and villages. Families embraced after prayers, while streets filled with a festive atmosphere marked by traditional food, greetings, and visits to relatives. Eid ul Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, prayer, and charity. Muslims celebrate the occasion with communal prayers, giving to the poor, and sharing meals, reflecting both spiritual renewal and social solidarity. In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the nation and urged collective responsibility in challenging times. &ldquo;This Eid specially demands human sympathy, national unity, and collective responsibility from us,&rdquo; he said, adding that &ldquo;the true joys of Eid are only complete when we share these joys with the deserving and needy individuals around us.&rdquo; Addressing the economic situation, the prime minister highlighted the impact of regional conflict and surging global oil prices. &ldquo;Oil that was available for $72 per barrel a few weeks ago has crossed $158 per barrel,&rdquo; he noted, warning that the burden of rising prices was being felt globally. He said the government had rejected steep fuel price increases to protect citizens. &ldquo;I rejected this proposal because I knew the previous increase was already a heavy burden on the common man,&rdquo; he said, adding that the government absorbed costs of around Rs69 billion to prevent sharp hikes. However, he cautioned that such measures were temporary. &ldquo;This is not a lasting solution,&rdquo; he said, announcing a shift toward targeted relief for the most vulnerable and calling for a national movement of austerity. &ldquo;We must adopt austerity in our daily lives and avoid unnecessary expenses,&rdquo; he urged. President Asif Ali Zardari, in his Eid message, emphasized unity, compassion, and adherence to national values. &ldquo;The true message of Eid is piety, self-accountability and moral purity,&rdquo; he said, urging citizens to uphold patience, tolerance and brotherhood. He also called for sharing happiness with the underprivileged and reaffirming commitment to constitutional supremacy and the rule of law. Economic impactAlongside the celebrations, Eid once again demonstrated its significant economic impact. Seasonal spending surged nationwide, with the State Bank of Pakistan reporting a rise of Rs1.5 trillion (approximately $5.38 billion) in currency circulation during the fiscal year, driven largely by Ramadan and Eid-related activity. The central bank also issued around Rs27 billion ($96.8 million) in fresh currency notes ahead of Eid, supporting both retail transactions and the cultural tradition of giving Eidi, cash gifts to children. Additional financial inflows further strengthened consumer activity, with Zakat and Fitrana estimated between Rs50 to 70 billion ($179 to $251 million), alongside increased remittances during the period. Despite global economic pressures linked to ongoing regional tensions, the convergence of faith, festivity, and financial activity highlighted Eid&rsquo;s dual significance in Pakistan, both as a deeply spiritual occasion and a key driver of economic life. As the nation celebrated, messages from its leadership underscored a shared theme: unity, compassion and collective resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges.

Muslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Skardu, Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan, on March 21, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Culture

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urges unity, austerity, and support for the poor, while President Asif Ali Zardari emphasizes compassion, piety, and national cohesion

Pakistan celebrates Eid with unity, faith, joy across the nation

Thousands of Iranians held Eidul Fitr prayers on Saturday to mark the end of the Ramadan fast, as Tehran reported a strike on its nuclear enrichment plant and Israel threatened intensified bombardment.

LIVE: Iranians mark Eid as Tehran reports strike on nuclear plant

ISLAMABAD: Iran&rsquo;s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has offered to help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling for stronger ties as cross-border conflict continues and Islamabad pauses its military campaign during Eid. In a Nowruz message marking the Persian New Year, Khamenei, who assumed leadership after the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike, urged both countries to improve relations and avoid divisions. &ldquo;I would like to urge that our two brotherly countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, establish better relations with each other&hellip; and for my part, I am ready to take the necessary steps,&rdquo; he said. The remarks come as Pakistan&rsquo;s cross-border military campaign, Operation Ghazab lil Haq, remains paused following weeks of fighting triggered by sustained cross-border terrorist attacks. Islamabad has said the operation targets terrorist infrastructure, including camps, logistics hubs, and ammunition depots used for attacks against civilians and security forces. Earlier this week, Pakistan announced a temporary Eid pause in the operation, describing it as a goodwill gesture whilst warning that military action would resume if further attacks occur. Khamenei&rsquo;s message places the Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions within a broader regional crisis, as the Middle East faces escalating conflict following recent strikes and retaliatory actions involving Iran and its adversaries. In his address, the Iranian leader emphasized unity among Muslim countries and warned against division during a period of heightened geopolitical strain. &ldquo;Beyond the element of neighborliness, we recognize&hellip; shared devotion to Islam&hellip; and common strategic interests,&rdquo; he said. He also cautioned against misinformation and psychological warfare during conflict, urging media and the public to remain vigilant. Khamenei&rsquo;s outreach comes as Pakistan balances ongoing military operations with diplomatic efforts, signaling a potential opening for regional mediation amid escalating tensions.

A mourner holds a picture depicting Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei during the funeral of Iran's security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, a senior officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who commands Basij forces, in Tehran on

Foreign Affairs

In a Nowruz message, Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei offers to help ease Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, urging closer ties as cross-border conflict pauses during Eid, while warning against division amid wider regional instability and ongoing security challenges.

Iran supreme leader offers to mediate Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions

WASHINGTON: The United States could &quot;take out&quot; Iran&#39;s Kharg island whenever it wanted, the White House said Friday, after a report that President Donald Trump&#39;s administration was considering plans to occupy or blockade the oil hub. Axios reported that Trump was mulling an operation against Kharg to pressure the Islamic Republic to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial shipping lane that Tehran has largely blocked. The United States is at the same time deploying additional Marines to the Middle East, US media reported, possibly signaling a coming ground operation three weeks into the US-Israeli campaign. &quot;The United States Military can take out Kharg Island at any time if the President gives the order,&quot; White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly wrote in a statement to AFP when asked about the Axios report. &quot;Thanks to a detailed planning process, the entire administration is and was prepared for any potential action taken by the terrorist Iranian regime,&quot; added Kelly. &quot;President Trump knew full well that Iran would try to stop the freedom of navigation and free flow of energy, and he has already taken action to destroy over 40 minelaying vessels.&quot; An effective Iranian blockade has paralyzed commercial shipping through the crucial maritime chokepoint, contributing to the spike in global oil prices since the start of the war on February 28. Trump said the United States had &quot;totally obliterated&quot; all military targets on Kharg in strikes on Friday, threatening to hit the island&#39;s infrastructure if Iran keeps blocking the Strait of Hormuz. On Thursday, the US leader called Kharg, which handles almost all of Iran&#39;s crude exports, the &quot;little oil island that sits there, so totally unprotected&quot; and said US strikes had &quot;taken out everything but the pipes.&quot;

US could 'take out' Iran's Kharg Island any time: White House

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used Eid-ul-Fitr engagements with leaders across the Muslim world to push for urgent de-escalation in the Middle East, as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to fuel regional instability and threaten Gulf security and energy routes.&nbsp;In a series of phone calls, Sharif exchanged Eid greetings while underscoring the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve escalating tensions involving Iran and Gulf states, according to statements issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO) on Friday.&nbsp;During his conversation with Egypt&rsquo;s leadership, Sharif praised Cairo&rsquo;s peace efforts and stressed the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Prime Minister reaffirmed the strong and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Egypt and reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation,&rdquo; the PMO said.&nbsp;In another call, PM Sharif spoke with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman where both leaders exchanged views on regional developments in South Asia as well as the situation in Middle East and urged the pursuit of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve differences and disputes.&nbsp;Recalling the historic ties between the two countries, PM Sharif assured PM Rahman of Pakistan&rsquo;s firm commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh, across all spheres.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both leaders looked forward to working closely in the days ahead for the shared objectives of regional as well as global peace and stability,&rdquo; the PMO said.&nbsp;In a separate call with Uzbekistan&rsquo;s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, both leaders &ldquo;exchanged views on the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region and stressed upon the need for an immediate de-escalation and use of dialogue and diplomacy for resolution of all disputes.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sharif also spoke with Malaysia&rsquo;s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with both sides acknowledging growing bilateral ties while calling for restraint.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both leaders&hellip; reaffirmed their shared resolve to further strengthen Pakistan-Malaysia fraternal relations,&rdquo; the PMO said, adding they agreed to &ldquo;work together for advancing peace efforts.&rdquo;&nbsp;In another call, Azerbaijan&rsquo;s President Ilham Aliyev and Sharif discussed regional tensions, with the Pakistani premier condemning attacks on Azerbaijan and expressing solidarity.&nbsp;&ldquo;The two leaders reaffirmed their mutual resolve and commitment to further strengthen these fraternal ties,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The outreach comes amid intensifying conflict following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have triggered retaliatory actions across the region, including threats to Gulf infrastructure and shipping routes. Islamabad has consistently called for restraint, positioning itself as a proponent of dialogue while maintaining close ties with Gulf partners.&nbsp;Sharif&rsquo;s Eid diplomacy reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s broader effort to prevent further escalation in a conflict that risks drawing in regional states and deepening economic and security challenges across the Muslim world.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with leaders from Egypt, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Azerbaijan, urging de-escalation in the Middle East and calling for dialogue as the war on Iran threatens wider regional instability.

PM Sharif urges Gulf de-escalation in Eid calls with Muslim leaders

BEIJING: Tik-tok owner ByteDance will sell its gaming studio Moonton to a Saudi-owned group for more than $6 billion, the firms and a person close to the matter said Friday, as the tech giant sharpens its focus on AI.&nbsp;The Beijing-based company is undergoing a broad restructuring aimed at shifting resources into its rapidly expanding artificial intelligence operations, a sector drawing heavy investment from Chinese tech majors.&nbsp;A person with knowledge of the negotiations between ByteDance and the Saudi-owned Savvy Games Group told AFP on condition of anonymity that the sides had &quot;signed an agreement for Savvy to acquire Moonton...for a purchase price of more than $6 billion&quot;.&nbsp;In an internal letter seen by AFP, Moonton chief executive Zhang Yunfan said the studio would &quot;become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Savvy&quot; once the deal closes and that its management would remain in place.&nbsp;&quot;This transaction has been thoroughly deliberated and discussed,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;We are proud of Moonton&#39;s impressive growth into a leading mobile gaming player in Southeast Asia. This transaction marks a natural next step in its journey,&quot; a ByteDance spokesperson told AFP.&nbsp;Founded in 2014 and based in Shanghai, Moonton developed several titles including the hit multiplayer mobile game &quot;Mobile Legends: Bang Bang&quot;, which boasts more than 110 million monthly players and is especially popular in Southeast Asia.&nbsp;Savvy Games Group is part of Saudi Arabia&#39;s Public Investment Fund, which has poured billions into gaming and e-Sports as the kingdom seeks to diversify its economy.&nbsp;ByteDance entered gaming in 2018 and acquired Moonton for $4 billion three years later to widen its portfolio.&nbsp;The company has invested heavily in AI and operates one of the largest AI research teams among Chinese tech firms.&nbsp;In February, it launched Seedance 2.0, a video generator that stunned the industry with its ability to produce Hollywood-quality clips from simple text prompts.

Artificial Intelligence

ByteDance will reportedly sell gaming studio Moonton to Saudi-owned Savvy Games Group for over $6 billion, as the TikTok owner restructures to focus on artificial intelligence, while Moonton’s management stays and Savvy expands its gaming ambitions.

Articles by Ali Bin Mubarak Al-Khateer