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Saudi Arabia ‘gifts’ Pakistan two mosques in Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 

This photo shows aerial view of "The King Abdul Aziz Mosque" in Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, gifted by Saudi government to Pakistan that can accommodate more than 10, 000 worshippers. (Courtesy: Saudi Embassy Islamabad)
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Updated 16 November 2021
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Saudi Arabia ‘gifts’ Pakistan two mosques in Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 

  • The mosques, situated in Mansehra and Muzaffarabad, can accommodate over 10,000 and 6,000 worshippers respectively
  • Pakistan’s religious affairs minister says the kingdom will soon revive Umrah pilgrimage for Pakistani nationals
Updated 16 November 2021
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Monday handed over two mosques in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) as a “gift” to the people of Pakistan, the Saudi ambassador to Islamabad said.
The Kingdom donated the King Abdul Aziz Mosque in the city of Mansehra, KP, which can accommodate more than 10,000 worshipers, according to the Saudi embassy. The King Fahd Mosque in Muzaffarabad has a capacity to accommodate more than 6000 worshipers.
The mosques contain spacious courtyards and have distinct designs, inspired by the two mosques in the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque.
“These two holy mosques, one in Mansehra and other in Muzaffarabad, were built by the government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a gift to the people of Pakistan,” Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki told Arab News on the sidelines of the handing over ceremony in Islamabad.




This photo shows aerial view of "King Fahd Mosque" in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, gifted by Saudi government to Pakistan that can accommodate more than 10, 000 worshippers. (Courtesy: Saudi Embassy Islamabad)

“Both countries enjoy historic and deep relations with economic, military and cultural cooperation. These mosques also showed the depth of religious and cultural ties.”
He said following the 2005 earthquake, the kingdom had completed many welfare projects in affected areas of Azad Kashmir and KP. “These included hospitals, houses, schools, water and sanitation [projects].”
Saudi Arabia wants a strong and prosperous Pakistan, and has always stood with it through thick and thin, Ambassador Al-Malki said, noting the $3 billion deposit and $1.2 billion oil facility recently pledged by the kingdom.




Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Makli (L) and Pakistan's Religious Minister Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri (R) sign the handing over document of two mosques gifted by the Kingdom to Pakistan in Islamabad on Nov. 15, 2021. (Courtesy: Religious Affairs ministry)

Pakistan’s religious affairs minister Noor ul Haq Qadri said this “gift” was a clear manifestation of Pakistan’s longstanding historical, spiritual and religious relations with Saudi Arabia.




A group photo of Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Makli with Pakistani religious affairs minister Noor ul Haq Qadri along with other officials during handing over ceremony of the two large mosques  in Islamabad on Nov. 15, 2021. (Courtesy: Religious Affairs ministry)

“On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, I am thankful for this kind act of the Saudi leadership,” Qadri told Arab News, adding that these mosques were built by the Saudi government on the request of local people as no such big mosques were left in these areas after the 2005 earthquake.




This photo shows aerial view of "King Fahd Mosque" in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, gifted by Saudi government to Pakistan that can accommodate more than 10, 000 worshippers. (Courtesy: Saudi Embassy Islamabad)

Qadri expressed hopes for an early revival of Umrah pilgrimage for Pakistani people. “I have spoken with the ambassador for the revival of Umrah for Pakistani people and he gave me a good news that the kingdom will allow Pakistanis to perform the pilgrimage very soon.”
Zahoor Shakir, an adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister on religious affairs, also thanked the Saudi government for building the King Abdul Aziz Mosque in Mansehra.
“I want to assure that the provincial government of KP will look after this gift, which is very close to our hearts, and ensure its maintenance,” Shakir told Arab News.




This photo shows aerial view of "The King Abdul Aziz Mosque" in Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, gifted by Saudi government to Pakistan that can accommodate more than 10, 000 worshippers. (Courtesy: Saudi Embassy Islamabad)

AJK minister for religious affairs, Hafiz Hamid Raza, termed it a historic occasion for the Kashmiri people as Saudi government fulfilled their longstanding desire by donating a “very noble gift” to them.
“Saudi leadership always stood by Kashmiris and was at the forefront in relief and welfare activities after the 2005 earthquake,” he said.

Topics: pak saudi ties Pakistan Saudi Arabia Mosques

Pakistan court refuses to hear Baloch activist case— lawyers

Updated 43 min 55 sec ago
AFP
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Pakistan court refuses to hear Baloch activist case— lawyers

  • Mahrang Baloch was detained by authorities on Mar. 22 on “terrorism,” sedition and murder charges after leading protest
  • Pakistan’s military and federal government deny allegations by Baloch, others who accuse state of torture, extrajudicial killings
Updated 43 min 55 sec ago
AFP

QUETTA: Pakistan court refused on Tuesday to rule on the detention of activist Mahrang Baloch, a decision her lawyers said will delay her case and keep her behind bars.
The 32-year-old was placed under administrative detention by the Balochistan provincial government on March 22, accused of terrorism, sedition, and murder after leading a protest.
The Balochistan High Court refused to hear an appeal against her detention, instead referring her case to the provincial government, according to Baloch’s defense team.
“They closed all doors for us to appeal and directed us to the government instead,” her lawyer Kamran Murtaza told AFP, calling it a “refusal of justice.”
Imaan Mazari, a second lawyer, called it a “complete abdication of responsibility” by the justice system, which has “put her at the mercy of the same administration that detained her.”
Baloch will now remain under administrative detention, a 30-day period renewable three times under Pakistani law.
The UN has expressed “concern” for the trainee surgeon, who was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 rising leaders of 2024.
Balochistan, the country’s poorest province that borders Iran and Afghanistan, is in the grip of separatist militants who regularly carry out attacks on security forces.
Baloch founded the Baloch Unity Committee which accuses the state of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests in their security operations, but advocates non-violence.
At least 3,000 supporters have taken part in an ongoing sit-in, blocking key roads near the main city of Quetta for the past two weeks and demanding the release of Baloch and other activists.
Authorities restrict access to many areas of Balochistan, where China has poured billions into energy and infrastructure projects, including a major port and an airport.

Topics: Dr. Mahrang Baloch Mahrang Baloch

PM Sharif hopes Tehran punishes culprits who killed 8 Pakistanis in Iran

Updated 15 April 2025
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PM Sharif hopes Tehran punishes culprits who killed 8 Pakistanis in Iran

  • Eight Pakistani nationals were killed in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province on Saturday in attack claimed by separatists
  • Pakistan and Iran have both frequently blamed each other for failing to stamp out militancy in their shared, porous border
Updated 15 April 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday condemned the recent killing of eight Pakistani nationals in Iran, hoping Tehran would arrest the culprits and hand them stern punishments. 

The Pakistani nationals were killed in the Mehrestan County of Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, which borders Pakistan, on Saturday. The attack was claimed by the Balochistan National Army (BNA), one of several separatist outfits operating in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. 

Militant groups operate in the area that includes Pakistan’s Balochistan and Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province. Both countries trade blame for militancy in the regions that are restive, mineral-rich and largely underdeveloped. 

“The foreign minister [of Pakistan] has spoken to the foreign minister of Iran and I have also issued a statement,” Sharif told members of his cabinet during a meeting. 

“We should hope that the Irani government will immediately arrest and hand stern punishments to the killers,” he added. 

The Pakistani prime minister condemned the attack in strong words. 

As per media reports, the Pakistani nationals who were killed in the attack were auto mechanics. Thousands of Pakistanis, mostly from underprivileged backgrounds, regularly cross into Iran for informal work in industries such as auto repair, agriculture and construction. 

Balochistan has witnessed a low-level insurgency for nearly two decades. Baloch militant groups such as the BNA accuse the central government of exploiting local resources while neglecting the population.

Islamabad denies the allegations and says it is committed to regional development.

Topics: Pakistan Iran Ties Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cabinet meeting

Pakistan eyes Chinese investment for desalination plants in Karachi

Updated 15 April 2025
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Pakistan eyes Chinese investment for desalination plants in Karachi

  • Six-member delegation of Chinese construction company meets Pakistan’s maritime affairs minister
  • Chinese company says committed to bringing advanced technologies and investment to Pakistan
Updated 15 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A Chinese construction company has expressed interest in installing desalination plants at Pakistan’s Port Qasim to convert seawater into drinking water, the maritime affairs ministry said on Tuesday, amid Islamabad’s efforts to resolve its water crisis. 

Pakistan has the fourth-highest rate of water consumption in the world. The country’s agriculture sector uses the most amount of freshwater than any other sector. Rainfall has steadily declined over the past few decades and experts have been warning for years the country will approach “absolute scarcity” of water by 2025.

The Chinese delegation met Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry in Islamabad to discuss joint investment between the two countries. 

“One of the key topics discussed during the meeting was the installation of desalination plants at Port Qasim,” the ministry said in a statement. 

“The Chinese delegation expressed strong interest in investing in facilities to convert seawater into potable water, an initiative that would address both industrial and domestic water needs.”

Chaudhry highlighted that the desalination plants would supply drinking water and support small industrial operations around the port.

He added that these proposals were a step toward resolving regional water issues that aligned with Pakistan’s climate resilience and environmental sustainability objectives.

“Pakistan’s maritime sector offers promising opportunities for foreign investment, particularly in areas such as port development, logistics, maritime tourism and blue economy ventures,” the ministry quoted Chaudhry as saying.

He encouraged the delegation to explore investment in maritime tourism, part of Pakistan’s economic diversification plan and also invited them to upcoming forums showcasing the country’s potential as a regional maritime hub.

The ministry added the delegation was ready to carry out feasibility studies and collaborate with local stakeholders to launch the project “promptly and effectively.”

“We see tremendous potential in contributing to Pakistan’s sustainable infrastructure goals,” the ministry quoted Wang Yaodong, the head of the Chinese delegation, as saying. 

“Our company is committed to bringing advanced technologies and investment that can help improve living standards and support economic development.”

Topics: Chinese investment in Pakistan desalination plants karachi water

Islamabad announces special courts, educational quotas for overseas Pakistanis

Updated 15 April 2025
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Islamabad announces special courts, educational quotas for overseas Pakistanis

  • Shehbaz Sharif says special courts will resolve overseas Pakistanis’ cases quickly
  • PM announces 15 percent quota for overseas Pakistanis’ children in medical colleges
Updated 15 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced a slew of incentives for overseas Pakistanis, such as special courts to deliver speedy justice and educational quotas for their children in federal universities, as Islamabad attempts to forge stronger ties with the Pakistani diaspora spread around the world. 

The prime minister was addressing the first-ever Overseas Pakistanis Convention held in the capital. The three-day convention, which kicked off on Sunday, aimed to honor overseas Pakistanis and forge closer ties with them by addressing their complaints. 

Remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis are crucial for the South Asian country, as it navigates a tricky path to recovery from a macroeconomic crisis that has drained its revenue. Pakistan received a record-high $4.1 billion in remittances in March 2025. 

“In Islamabad, for overseas Pakistanis and to resolve their cases as soon as possible, special courts have been established,” Sharif told attendees at the conference, triggering loud applause. 

“In Punjab, the process to set up such courts is underway and legislation in this regard has also been done,” he said, urging other provinces to follow suit. 

Sharif said overseas Pakistanis will be provided the additional facility to file their cases electronically so they do not have to travel to Pakistan to do so.

He announced educational quotas for overseas Pakistanis in the country’s federal universities. 

“In all federally chartered universities, for the children of overseas Pakistanis, out of 10,000 seats a quota of 5 percent is being fixed for you,” the premier said. 

Sharif said the government has fixed a 15 percent quota for the admission of overseas Pakistanis in the country’s medical colleges, adding that it would enable 3,000 children of overseas Pakistanis to avail the facility. 

He said the country’s premier revenue collecting agency, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will treat overseas Pakistanis as filers in business and bank matters. 

The Pakistani prime minister announced a five-year age relaxation in government jobs for overseas Pakistanis and a seven-year age relaxation for women overseas Pakistanis. 

Sharif said the government would award 15 civil awards to overseas Pakistanis every year who send the most amount of foreign exchange to Pakistan. 

‘BRAIN GAIN’

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir praised overseas Pakistanis for their dedication and commitment toward the nation. 

“Those who promote the narrative of brain drain should know that this is not a brain drain but a brain gain,” he said. “And overseas Pakistanis are the finest example of that.”

Munir spoke about Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, expressing solidarity with Palestinians under bombardment in the territory. 

“The hearts of Pakistanis beat in unison with the Muslims of Gaza,” he said.

Topics: Overseas Pakistanis Convention Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan’s Punjab finalizes bill to regulate sale of acid to protect women

Updated 15 April 2025
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Pakistan’s Punjab finalizes bill to regulate sale of acid to protect women

  • Acid attacks, which disfigure and often blind women victims, have long been used to settle personal or family scores in Pakistan
  • New law bars people from engaging in business of acid without license, prohibits sale of acid to people below 18 years of age
Updated 15 April 2025
Usama Iqbal Khawaja

ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province recently finalized a bill to control the sale and distribution of acid to ensure protection for women, following numerous acid attacks targeting women over the years. 

Acid attacks, which disfigure and often blind their overwhelmingly female victims, have long been used to settle personal or family scores in Pakistan, with hundreds of cases reported each year. These attacks are often driven by motives such as rejected marriage proposals, domestic disputes or family feuds. 

Between 2007 and 2016, Pakistan recorded 1,108 acid attacks affecting 1,375 individuals. The issue peaked in the early 2000s, with a surge in reported cases between 1999 and 2005 — 494 attacks were reported in 2002 and 417 in 2003.

The proposed legislation titled “The Punjab Acid Control Act 2025” aims to prevent such attacks, ensure accountability and create a safer environment for women across the province by tightening control over the sale and purchase of the product.

“It is necessary to regulate and control the business of acid in Punjab by providing a comprehensive mechanism and for the matters ancillary thereto and connected therewith,” a copy of the bill seen by Arab News on Tuesday said. 

The bill has been prepared by Punjab Women Protection Authority chairperson and lawmaker Hina Parvez Butt. 

The draft legislation prohibits people from engaging in the sale and purchase of acid without a license. It also bars the sale of acid to anyone under 18 years of age and mentions 30 different types of acid. 

According to the draft law, anyone already involved in the acid business before the new law comes into effect must apply for a license within 30 days of when the law is implemented. They need to submit an application with a specific form and pay a fee set by the authorities. 

The license will also state the maximum amount of acid the license holder is allowed to keep at any given time.

Any importer or acid manufacturer already licensed under the current laws will need to register under the new law and maintain a record of their acid-related business, which must be submitted to the licensing authority within one month after the end of each year.

The law mandates that an acid container must clearly display visible information printed on it which includes the name and type of acid, the name, address and license number of the seller, the volume and quantity of acid, manufacturing and expiry dates, and a warning label with the words “DANGEROUS/CORROSIVE” in red along with other safety precautions.

The punishment for violating the provisions of the law includes imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to $1,780 (Rs500,000), with an additional three-month prison time if the fine is not paid.

The bill highlighted that offenses committed under this law are cognizable, non-bailable, non-compoundable and will be tried in court.

The draft law states that a person will face imprisonment for two to five years, along with a fine ranging from $712 to $3,560 (Rs200,000 to Rs1 million) if the acid business causes harm to any person or property.

There has been a significant decline in acid attacks in Pakistan since a legislation criminalizing acid and burn violence was passed in December 2011, according to a 2017 report by the Acid Survivors Foundation.

However, recent years have seen a marked decrease: in 2014, 153 acid attacks were reported with 210 victims, followed by 69 in 2015 and 73 in 2016. The downward trend continued in 2017, with only 39 incidents reported.

Topics: acid attacks acid victims Punjab Assembly Home department Punjab

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