JEDDAH: Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, the president of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), is one of the most prominent figures involved in the expanding fields of cooperation between Pakistani and Saudi religious scholars.
After visiting the Kingdom last month on pilgrimage as part of the Guests of King Salman for Hajj and Umrah program, he told Arab News how impressed he had been with the Hajj preparations and facilities provided by the Kingdom that allowed pilgrims from all over the world to perform their rituals easily and comfortably. He also reiterated his organization’s support for the Saudi-led coalition’s mission against the Houthi militia in Yemen.
“The PUC is honored to be the first religious organization in Pakistan that supported the Kingdom’s anti-terror campaign, Operation Decisive Storm, by issuing a fatwa against the Houthi militia and Daesh terrorists in the region,” he explained.
Ashrafi contributed to the formation of the PUC, which aims to strengthen the ties between Pakistan and Arab countries, and has met the Saudi leadership and the imams of the Two Holy Mosques several times over the years. In 2017, his team organized the third Paigham-e-Islam conference, during which it acknowledged King Salman as the most prominent regional figure in solving issues faced by the Muslim world. He also met leading government figures during his pilgrimage this year.
“During this Hajj season, my meetings with the Saudi interior and Hajj ministers were quite fruitful,” he said. “We discussed a number of issues, including the Hajj services to Pakistani pilgrims, and the status of Pakistani prisoners in Saudi jails.” He added that problems reported by Pakistani students in Saudi Universities “are being sorted out.”
Ashrafi believes that the relationship between Saudi and Pakistani ulama is stronger than ever, and assured the Saudi leadership of Pakistan’s support against all misconceptions about the Kingdom, saying that it is the responsibility of every Muslim to defend the Two Holy Mosques and aim for peace and stability in the region.
“The Saudi leadership and its security institutions are a source of pride for us, as they are protecting this holy land,” he said.
Ashrafi said he learned the Holy Qur’an by heart at the age of seven from Madrassa Kashiful Uloom, a famous seminary in Masjid Bilal Park, Lahore. His grandfather taught at the Madrassa of Deoband after graduating from there. His paternal grandfather, an estate owner, also had strong connections with the local religious circle.
Ashrafi studied at Lahore’s Jamia Qasmia and Jamia Zia Ul Uloom, before completing the Dars-e-Nizami from Jamia Ashrafia. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Punjab University, and went on to earn a master’s degree in Arabic and Islamic studies from the same institution.
“My political journey as a youth started from being the chief organizer of Jamiat Talaba-e-Islam, the student wing of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam,” he said. “I founded the PUC in the 1990s to promote religious harmony among the ranks of the Sunni scholars in the country.”
To avoid discord, Ashrafi and his organization continuously seek to tackle emerging differences between the many religious schools in the country. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001, Pakistan faced another wave of terrorism.
“We launched a major campaign to tackle the growing extremism and terrorism in the country,” he said. “We launched training sessions for ulema, khutaba and students to help them keep away from radical beliefs, as well as teaching them contemporary religious issues in the true light of Islam.”
Ashrafi said he is thankful to God for his role in securing the release of 3,200 Pakistani and foreigner prisoners who had been languishing in jails in Afghanistan. Later, he helped to provide them with support and guidance.
In May this year, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh gave Ashrafi a special award for his service to Muslim unity. During a personal visit to the Kingdom in July, Ashrafi was treated at King Abdul Aziz Medical City in Riyadh for “medical complications.” He thanked the Saudi leadership for providing him with the best possible treatment.
Leading Pakistani cleric praises Kingdom’s Hajj services
Leading Pakistani cleric praises Kingdom’s Hajj services
- Pakistan Ulema Council President Tahir Ashrafi also reiterated the organization’s support for the Saudi-led mission against Houthis in Yemen
- Ashrafi met government officials during Hajj season and discussed a number of issues, including the experiences of Pakistani students in Saudi Arabia
Companies employing Chinese nationals being asked to hire ex-military servicemen for security — Sindh Police
- Sindh Police reviews security measures for Chinese nationals amid increase in attacks targeting them
- Intelligence agencies conducting security audit of guards hired to protect Chinese nationals, say police
KARACHI: Companies, organizers, hosts, sponsors and any other entities in Pakistan that employ Chinese nationals are being asked to hire the services of former military personnel for security purposes, Sindh Police said this week amid increasing attacks on Chinese citizens in the country.
A string of recent attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan have caused Beijing to worry about the security of its citizens. Separatist militants in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province have carried out attacks against Chinese interests this year, blaming Islamabad and Beijing for exploiting the gas-and-oil-rich province. Both deny the allegations.
Last month, a suicide blast near the airport in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi killed two Chinese engineers while a security guard shot and injured two Chinese nationals in Karachi this month.
Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon held a meeting at the Central Police Office in Karachi on Thursday to review the security of Chinese nationals in the province.
“DIG Special Protection Unit, while briefing the committee formed to review security measures of Chinese citizens, said the Internal Bureau and Special Branch are conducting a security audit of the private security guards assigned to protect Chinese citizens,” a statement from the police said on Friday evening.
“While project organizers, hosts/sponsors are also being made to hire the services of ex-military servicemen.”
The statement said that the SPU would conduct joint training exercises continuously to meet any emergency security situation.
“A hotline number has been provided for the facilitation of Chinese citizens and for immediate contact with law enforcement agencies,” it said.
“He further said that suggestions have also been given to project owners/sponsors to strictly implement security standard operating procedures, including a security audit of private security companies.”
China is a major ally and investor in Pakistan that has pledged over $65 billion in investment in road, infrastructure and development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, at the heart of which lies the Gwadar port in Balochistan.
Pakistan says attacks targeting Chinese nationals are aimed at disrupting its relations with China and destabilizing CPEC.
Pakistan’s Punjab conducts successful artificial rain trial amid smog crisis
- Punjab carries out cloud seeding in Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Gujar Khan
- Toxic smog due to air pollution has enveloped Punjab province since last month
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has conducted a successful artificial rain trial using local technology to reduce smog, state-run media reported on Saturday, as the province grapples with deteriorating air quality and takes measures to protect millions from pollution.
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan said the provincial government carried out “cloud seeding” in the eastern cities of Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Gujar Khan on Friday, which resulted in rainfall in Jhelum and Gujar Khan within a few hours.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that improves a cloud’s ability to produce rain or snow by introducing tiny ice nuclei into certain types of subfreezing clouds.
In December last year, a cloud seeding experiment was carried out by the United Arab Emirates to bring about artificial rain in Lahore. The UAE sent two special planes and a technical team, which waited in Lahore for several days for the right conditions before carrying out its mission.
“Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated all scientific experts and associated institutions on the success of this artificial rain experiment,” Radio Pakistan said.
It said the experiment was conducted due to the combined efforts of the Punjab government, Pakistan Army’s Scientific Research and Development experts, Army Aviation, PARCO and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“This success will open new avenues for technological advancement in Pakistan and help alleviate weather-related issues for the public,” it said.
The development takes place as Punjab extended school closures in smog-hit major cities from Nov. 17 by a week, with thousands hospitalized as the country battles record air pollution.
Toxic smog has enveloped Punjab’s cities, especially its cultural capital of Lahore, since last month. Smog occurs when cold air traps dust, low-grade diesel fumes and smoke from illegal stubble burning on fields.
As the air quality deteriorates, the provincial government has taken certain measures such as closing schools, banning the entry of heavy transport vehicles in Lahore on specific days and banning entry to parks, zoos, playgrounds and other public spaces.
Other parts of South Asia are also dealing with high levels of pollution and Punjab blames neighboring India for contributing to its hazardous air quality.
New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, has banned non-essential construction, moved children to virtual classrooms and asked residents to avoid using coal and wood from Friday.
India denies Kabaddi team permission to tour Pakistan amid political tensions
- India’s Kabaddi team was scheduled to play friendly matches against Pakistan on Nov. 19, 21 and 23
- Development takes place amid India’s refusal to allow cricket team to tour Pakistan for Champions Trophy
ISLAMABAD: The Indian government has denied permission to its Kabaddi team to travel to Pakistan for a bilateral series scheduled from Nov. 19-23, state-run media reported this week amid political tensions between the two countries.
Political tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have restricted cultural exchanges and bilateral sports events between the two nations.
The two neighbors have fought three wars, two of them over the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of Kashmir, which they both claim in full but rule in part.
Kabaddi, a sport that originated in South Asia, is popular in both countries. The game is played with two teams of 12 players, seven on court, and five in reserve. It consists of two halves of 20 minutes each during which two teams compete., alternating between defense and offense.
“Our counterparts in India have conveyed their inability to send their team to Pakistan,” the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) quoted Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Secretary Muhammad Sarwar Rana as saying on Thursday.
“We regret this decision as we had eagerly anticipated hosting them here.”
The Indian team was scheduled to play against Pakistan on Nov. 19 in Katarpur, Nov. 21 in Lahore and Nov. 23 in Bahawalpur, APP said. It added that the PKF was trying to arrange alternative exhibition matches due to the cancelation.
The development takes place a few days after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it had been informed by the ICC that the Indian government had denied its cricket team permission to travel to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy tournament.
The PCB has reportedly sought clarification from the ICC on India’s refusal.
India’s national cricket team has not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to soured political relations between the two neighbors, who play each other only in global multi-team tournaments at neutral venues.
Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but was forced to shift all of India’s matches to Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model” after India refused to send its team to Pakistan.
APP said the Indian blind cricket team was also awaiting its government’s nod to participate in the upcoming fourth edition of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held from Nov. 23 -Dec. 3 in Pakistan’s Lahore and Multan cities.
“According to media reports, despite securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the sports ministry, the Indian blind team has yet to receive final approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs,” it said.
IMF staff concludes Pakistan visit, urges Islamabad to decrease state intervention in economy
- IMF delegation visited Pakistan from Nov. 12-15 to discuss economic policies, reform efforts
- Both sides agreed Islamabad needs to mobilize revenue from “untapped tax bases,” says IMF official
ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced this week it had concluded its state visit to Pakistan, calling on Islamabad to decrease state intervention in the economy, mobilize revenue via tax reforms and adopt prudent fiscal policies.
The IMF released its statement late Friday as a delegation led by its Pakistan mission chief, Nathan Porter, completed a five-day trip to the country during which it discussed the performance of a $7 billion loan program approved in September.
The IMF has clarified Porter’s visit is not part of the first review of the loan program, which is not scheduled to take place before the first quarter of 2025.
The international lender has repeatedly called on Pakistan to undertake tax and energy reforms as well as privatize state-owned assets which it says are critical to revitalize its fragile $350 billion economy.
“Structural energy reforms and constructive efforts are critical to restore the sector’s viability, and Pakistan should take steps to decrease state intervention in the economy and enhance competition, which will help foster the development of a dynamic private sector,” Porter said in a statement.
The IMF official said both sides agreed with the need for Islamabad to continue prudent fiscal and monetary policies, mobilizing revenue from “untapped tax bases” and transferring greater social and development responsibilities to provinces.
“Strong program implementation can create a more prosperous and more inclusive Pakistan, improving living standards for all Pakistanis,” Porter said.
In an earlier statement on Friday, the IMF urged Pakistan to digitalize its budget preparation and execution processes to improve fiscal monitoring and reporting to overcome deviations from the planned budgets.
IMF loan bailouts are critical for Pakistan, which narrowly avoided a sovereign default last year before clinching a last-gasp $3 billion loan from the international lender.
Pakistan’s finance minister has repeatedly stressed implementing painful reforms to ensure the country does not seek loans repeatedly from the global lender at exorbitant interest rates.
Pakistan’s Ayla Majid becomes first South Asian and Muslim to be elected ACCA president
- Ayla Majid is the CEO of a firm that advises on decarbonization, sustainability and energy transition
- She will lead 252,500 members and 526,000 future members of ACCA across 180 countries during her tenure
ISLAMABAD: Ayla Majid, the chief executive officer of a firm that advises on decarbonization, sustainability and energy transition, made history this week after becoming the first South Asian and Muslim to get elected as president of the global accountancy body ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).
Majid will lead more than 252,500 members and 526,000 future members of ACCA across 180 countries during her year-long term of office, ACCA wrote on its website on Friday.
Currently the founder and CEO of Planetive Middle East and Planetive Pakistan, Majid has over 20 years of experience in energy, transaction advisory, mergers and acquisitions, investments and corporate governance.
She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of London.
“It’s an honor and a deeply meaningful moment, not just for me but for so many who see themselves in this achievement,” Majid told Arab News via email on Friday.
“Breaking these barriers reflects the values of inclusion and diversity that ACCA embodies,” she added. “Personally, it’s a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of representation.”
Majid said the accounting and finance profession globally is evolving rapidly in response to the demands of a changing world, explaining that issues such as sustainability, digital transformation and evolving regulatory landscapes are reshaping the skills accountants need.
“Additionally, we must ensure the profession remains relevant in addressing societal challenges such as climate change and economic inequality,” she said.
“ACCA can play a pivotal role by continuously enhancing its qualifications to include skills in sustainability reporting, digital transformation, and strategic leadership.”
Majid called for global collaboration and championing inclusion, saying that through such initiatives, ACCA can prepare its members to not just respond to challenges but “lead with purpose and impact.”
“My vision for ACCA is to continue being a catalyst for positive change, working alongside diverse group of partners and collaborate more on global agendas,” Majid said.
“By strengthening our advocacy on global issues like climate action and economic resilience, we can shape a better future,” she added.
