ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) Chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi organized “Unity of Ummah Conference” in Islamabad on Tuesday to mark the 88th National Day of Saudi Arabia.
The conference adopted a resolution to urge the government of Pakistan to strengthen economic ties with Saudi Arabia and also welcomed Saudi Arabian participation in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to a statement issued by PUC at the end of the conference
Ashrafi said that KSA’s interest and involvement in CPEC will be beneficial for Pakistan and will boost the bilateral brotherly relations between the two countries.
Deputy Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Habib Ullah Bukhari and Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noor-ul-Qadri also attended the conference.
“Unity of Muslim Ummah is the ultimate panacea to resolve the challenges confronting Islamic world,” Bukhari said while addressing the conference.
He termed the bilateral relations between KSA and Pakistan as "examplary" and said: "The government of Saudi Arabia has always played a vital role in forging harmony among Muslim countries."
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Pir Noor-ul-Qadri, told the gathering that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has supported Pakistan through thick and thin. "Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will steer the Muslim Ummah out of the prevailing challenges and hardships,” he said.
The Conference also adopted a resolution and thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman providing such good arrangements for the pilgrims of Hajj and Umrah.
Religious scholars urge Pakistan to strengthen economic ties with KSA
Religious scholars urge Pakistan to strengthen economic ties with KSA
- The Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) welcomed Saudi participation in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
- Saudi Arabia has always supported Pakistan through thick and thin, says Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs
Top official of ex-PM Khan’s party ‘missing’ as nearly 900 arrested in Islamabad protests
- Hundreds of Khan supporters set out for Islamabad from various parts of the country on Friday to take part in a protest at D-Chowk square
- Clashes erupted after the police tried to prevent caravans of Khan supporters from entering the capital, resulting in the killing of one cop
ISLAMABAD: Mystery continued to surround the whereabouts of a key official of former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party as its protest entered a third day on Sunday, with at least one policeman killed in clashes and almost 900 demonstrators arrested.
Hundreds of Khan supporters set out for Islamabad from various parts of the country on Friday to take part in a protest at D-Chowk. Police tried to prevent the protesters from entering Islamabad, which led to violent clashes between the two sides over the course of two days. Authorities said at least one policeman was killed in the clashes and dozens of other law enforcers sustained injuries, whereas Khan’s party said the police heavily shelled its supporters with tear gas.
Khan’s party announced this week it was protesting the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that it claims are aimed at curtailing the independence of the judiciary, with the government repudiating the charge. The party has also been trying to mobilize supporters through protests and public gatherings to pressure the government for the release of Khan, who has been in prison since August last year on a slew of charges.
Tensions between the government and the PTI escalated on Saturday after the paramilitary Rangers force stormed KP’s administration office in Islamabad, with the party saying Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who led caravans of Khan supporters to Islamabad from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, had been “kidnapped.”
“Chief Minister KP Ali Amin Gandapur is neither in our [Islamabad Police] custody nor is he in the custody of any other Pakistani institution,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Islamabad after attending deceased police constable Abdul Hameed Shah’s funeral prayers, denying the PTI claims that Gandapur had been abducted by police or intelligence agencies.
“He himself is on the run. Islamabad police will deal with him as per law as they are definitely searching for him.”
Naqvi said the capital police conducted three raids at various locations on Saturday night where they suspected Gandapur was present, adding that he was not found there.
“We still have blockades at certain points in the city and are actively searching for him,” Naqvi said.
Speaking at a presser, Islamabad police chief Ali Nasir Rizvi said they had rounded up 878 suspects during the days-long violent protests, of whom “120 were Afghan nationals.”
“Tear gas were fired on us, [we were] pelted with stones, with protesters using slingshots to attack us,” he said, without offering any evidence to support his statement.
Shah, the deceased police constable, was posted at Chungi no. 26 from where he was abducted by protesters, according to Islamabad police spokesman Muhammad Taqi Jawad. A resident of the Pakistani city of Abbottabad, Shah joined Islamabad Police in 1988 and was serving in its investigation wing.
“Miscreants kept torturing police constable Shah after abducting him,” Jawad said, adding that Shah was set to retire in three months upon completing his service.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Shah’s killing, blaming the PTI for the violent protests.
“PTI always adopted the path of violence under the guise of protest,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office. “The prime minister has directed to bring all people involved in the incident to justice.”
Current situation in Islamabad
Normalcy started returning to the Pakistani capital on Sunday afternoon after a majority of roads and thoroughfares in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which had been sealed with shipping containers on Friday, were reopened for traffic, and mobile phone services were largely restored, bringing a sigh of relief to residents of the twin cities.
Speaking of the present situation in the capital, the Islamabad police spokesperson said the protesters who had entered Islamabad with CM Gandapur had left and there was no sit-in protest going on in the city.
“No protesters are in Islamabad right now and the roads are partially opened,” he said.
An Arab News survey, however, revealed that few roads leading toward the capital’s Red Zone, home to key diplomatic and government offices, were still blocked off with shipping containers.
Pakistan’s Masood warns England still a force without Stokes
- Ollie Pope will again lead England after deputising successfully in the recent 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka
- Stokes led England to 3-0 Test win on England’s last tour in 2022, the first time Pakistan were swept at home
MULTAN: Pakistan captain Shan Masood warned on the eve of Monday’s first Test in Multan that his side would still be facing a formidable England, despite the absence of their captain Ben Stokes.
Ollie Pope will again lead England after deputising successfully in the recent 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka as Stokes, 33, was ruled out as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
“We all know the quality of Ben Stokes,” said Masood on Sunday ahead of the start of the three-Test series. “He is one of the top all-rounders of the world.”
“England’s strength will not lessen with one individual (missing),” he warned. “They are still very competitive.
“If you look at their playing eleven then it’s very balanced with all-rounders, and they have two spinners and three fast bowlers with deep batting, so their loss is that of an individual.”
Stokes led England to an emphatic 3-0 Test series victory on England’s last tour in 2022, the first time Pakistan had been swept at home.
England return with Pakistan on a painful losing streak — winless in their last 10 home Tests and suffering a humiliating 2-0 home defeat to Bangladesh last month.
“They’ve obviously not had their strongest run recently, but we still see them as a highly skilled side,” said Pope. “They are a team we don’t take lightly.”
Pakistan named their team with a bowling attack of two fast bowlers in Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, medium-pacer Aamer Jamal and frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed.
An impressive Jamal took 18 wickets against Australia in three Tests in his debut series earlier this year, but missed the Bangladesh series with a back problem. He also contributed 143 runs.
“With Jamal we get an edge in the seam department,” said Masood.
With James Anderson and Stuart Broad retired, Mark Wood injured and Ollie Robinson not selected, none of England’s pace bowlers from the 2022 series remain.
But Masood cited Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse as threats.
“You cannot under-estimate anyone and need to be more cautious against any unknown player,” said Masood.
The second match is also in Multan, from October 15, with the final Test in Rawalpindi beginning October 24.
Squads
Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad
England: Ollie Pope (captain), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes
Pakistan bans prominent Pashtun rights group critical of its military
- Pakistan’s interior ministry says Pashtun Tahafuz Movement involved in activities “prejudicial” to country’s peace and security
- Formed in 2014, PTM advocates for the rights of Pashtuns, especially in country’s militancy-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
KARACHI: Pakistan’s Interior Ministry announced on Sunday it had declared the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a prominent Pashtun rights group, a “proscribed organization” for being involved in activities prejudicial to the country’s peace and security.
Originally formed as the Mehsud Tahafuz Movement in 2014, the PTM campaigns against alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of Pashtuns and other ethnic minorities in Pakistan.
The PTM alleges Pashtuns have faced rights abuses during Pakistan’s war against militants, mainly in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It blames Pakistan’s powerful military for rights abuses in the northwestern province, a charge the institution has consistently denied.
In a notification released on Sunday, the interior ministry said it has “reasons to believe” the PTM is engaged in “certain activities which are prejudicial to the peace and security of the country.” The notification did not elaborate what activities it was referring to.
“NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (XXVII of 1997), the Federal Government is pleased to list the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) in the First Schedule as a proscribed organization for the purposes of the said Act,” the notification read.
Formed by veterinary sciences student Manzoor Pashteen, the PTM was a pressure group that shot to national prominence when they spearheaded protests against the killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud, a young garment trader and aspiring model shot dead by police in Karachi in 2018.
In the 2018 election, PTM leaders Mohsin Dawar and Ali Wazir were elected to parliament from Pakistan’s restive North and South Waziristan districts, respectively.
The PTM says it has faced harassment, intimidation and censorship at the hands of Pakistan’s powerful military, which has ruled the country directly for over 30 years since it gained independence in 1947.
The military denies the PTM’s accusations and has often accused it of being funded by foreign intelligence agencies, notably Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) and India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The PTM denies these allegations.
Pakistan to attract over $27 billion from Saudi Arabia, other countries in coming years— state media
Pakistan to attract over $27 billion from Saudi Arabia, other countries in coming years— state media
- Notable investors include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Azerbaijan, says state media
- Says investment’s main objective is to stabilize economy by developing its key sectors
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to secure more than $27 billion in foreign direct investment from Asian and European countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and others in the coming years, state-run media reported on Sunday.
Facing a prolonged economic crisis, Pakistan has turned to regional allies in the Middle East and Central Asia in recent months for foreign investment. The South Asian country sees foreign investment as the answer to an economic crisis that has seen its foreign reserves decline considerably and currency weaken over the past two years.
“With the facilitation of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, the government is set to attract more than twenty-seven billion dollars in foreign direct investment from Asian and European countries in the coming years,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The SIFC is a hybrid civil-military government body formed in 2023 to fast-track decision-making and attract investment in Pakistan’s critical sectors such as minerals, IT, defense and agriculture. The body aims to attract international investments, particularly from Gulf countries.
“Among the notable investors, Saudi Arabia has pledged to invest five billion dollars, while the UAE and Kuwait want to invest ten billion dollars each, while Azerbaijan has expressed desire to invest two billion dollars,” Radio Pakistan said.
It said the investment’s main objective is to assist in “stabilizing” Pakistan’s economy by developing its key sectors.
Radio Pakistan said Azerbaijan is “particularly keen” to invest in Pakistan’s space industry projects, hydrometeorology and climate change initiatives.
“In addition to these investments, the Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group of China wants to contribute to Pakistan’s energy sector by exploring technological advancements and joint ventures in energy, petrochemicals, and industrial development,” it said.
It said Pakistan is set to engage with Denmark’s “renowned mining companies” to modernize its mining industry using advanced technologies.
Five of the best: Pakistan-England Test thrillers
- Pakistan, England will play first Test of three-match series on Monday at Multan
- England skipper Ben Stokes has been ruled out of first Test due to injury
MULTAN: The history of Tests between England and Pakistan is resplendent with memorable matches since the very first series in 1954.
Ahead of their three-match series starting on Monday in Multan, AFP Sports recalls five of the most exciting Tests between the two countries:
Pakistan had been playing Tests for less than two years when Fazal Mahmood took 12 wickets to beat England by 24 runs in the final Test at The Oval — a shock the home media dubbed “England Fazalled” as it gave Pakistan a 1-1 series draw.
Chasing just 168, England were cruising at 109-2, but lost their last eight wickets for 34 as seam-bowler Fazal took 6-46 making Pakistan only the second country to win a Test on their maiden tour of England after Australia.
Fazal also bagged 6-53 in the first innings, figures that Wisden noted “would have been much better but for dropped catches.”
After two tame draws, Pakistan were chasing a modest 231-run target at Headingley to win a series in England for the first time.
England captain Ray Illingworth removed three of the top order with his off-spin as Pakistan were reduced to 65-4, but Sadiq Mohammad and Asif Iqbal put their side back on course with a fifth-wicket stand of 95.
All-rounder Iqbal was out for 33 but opener Sadiq was still there, batting serenely.
After Sadiq fell, caught and bowled by Basil D’Oliveira for 91 with 44 more still needed, England paceman Peter Lever ripped through the tail and the visitors were all out for 205 to lose by 25.
Pakistan squeezed home by two wickets in a pulsating second Test at Lord’s where pace spearheads Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis starred with ball and bat to create the legend of the “two Ws.”
The menacing Waqar had match figures of 5-91 and 2-40, while left-armer Wasim returned 2-49 and 4-66 as England collapsed from 108-3 in their second innings to 175 all out.
Chasing just 138 to win, Pakistan were in trouble at 95-8 when Waqar joined Wasim at the crease.
Wasim hit 45 and Waqar 20 as they put on an unbroken 46 for a famous victory.
England bowled out Pakistan for 158 on the final day leaving them 176 to win in only 44 overs, in fast fading light.
Pakistan skipper Moin Khan employed every time-wasting trick in the book to escape with a draw, appealing to the umpires that it was too gloomy for his fielders to see the ball near the end.
But the officials and Graham Thorpe were having none of it and kept going as dusk closed in.
From 65-3, Thorpe steadily accelerated as the light grew dimmer, putting on 91 with Graeme Hick off 21 overs to take England within 20 of only their second win on Pakistan soil, and on a ground where the hosts had been unbeaten for a staggering 34 Tests.
Nasser Hussain joined Thorpe at the crease and the pair gleefully reached the target less than three overs later in almost total darkness with Thorpe a triumphant 64 not out.
England were denied a Lord’s victory as Pakistan completed a 75-run win in a thrilling first Test largely due to slow bowler Yasir Shah’s 10 wickets in the match.
Pakistan’s bowling attack was too powerful for England with pace trio Rahat Ali, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir, who was returning to Test cricket after serving a ban for spot-fixing, supporting leg-spinner Yasir.
Chasing 283 to win on the fourth day, Alastair Cook’s side collapsed from 195-6 with victory sealed by Amir on his first Test appearance since 2010 when he shattered last man Jake Ball’s stumps.
It sparked a joyous celebration which culminated in the entire Pakistan team doing military-style press-ups on the outfield. A brilliant series went on to be drawn 2-2.
