Pakistani PM praises Russia’s Putin for ‘emphatic’ statement about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The file photo shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan meet prior to a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on June 14, 2019. (AFP/File)
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Updated 17 January 2022
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Pakistani PM praises Russia’s Putin for ‘emphatic’ statement about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

  • PM Imran Khan says Putin is first Western leader to show empathy to Muslim sentiment
  • Both leaders discuss ways to move forward on trade and other mutually beneficial matters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday appreciated Russian President Vladimir Putin for his “emphatic” statement in which the latter said that freedom of speech could not be a pretext to insult Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). 
During his annual press conference in December 2021, Putin had expressed the importance of artistic freedom, maintaining that insulting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not count as freedom of expression. 
Insults to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) were a “violation of religious freedom and the violation of the sacred feelings of people who profess Islam,” he was quoted as saying by the Russian news agency, TASS. 
Such acts gave rise to extremist reprisals, the Russian president had said, citing the 2015 attack on the office of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris that killed over a dozen people after the magazine published blasphemous caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 
On Monday, PM Khan held a telephonic conversation with the Russian leader and thanked him for his earnest remarks and regard of Muslim sentiment. 
“Just spoke to President Putin primarily to express my appreciation for his emphatic statement that freedom of speech could not be a pretext to abuse our Prophet PBUH,” the Pakistani prime minister said on Twitter. 
“He is the first Western leader to show empathy & sensitivity to Muslim sentiment for their beloved Prophet PBUH.” 

PM Khan said they discussed ways to move forward on trade and other mutually beneficial cooperation and invited each other to visit their countries. 
Later, PM Khan’s office also issued a statement on the telephonic conversation between the two leaders. “The prime minister stated that he has been regularly [underscoring] the appalling rise in Islamophobia and associated hatred in his addresses to the United Nations General Assembly, pointing toward its serious ramifications,” the statement read. 
The two leaders “fondly recalled” their interactions last year and exchanged views on bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues, it added. 

 


Pakistan, UK discuss strengthening cooperation in railways sector

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Pakistan, UK discuss strengthening cooperation in railways sector

  • Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi meets British High Commissioner Jane Marriott in Islamabad
  • Pakistan’s railway sector faces several challenges which caused train derailments, fatal accidents

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott on Wednesday discussed bilateral cooperation between the two nations with a special focus on railways, state-run media reported.

Pakistan’s railway sector faces several challenges such as an aging infrastructure, outdated tracks, locomotives and signal systems. Poor maintenance and a lack of modern safety measures often contribute to train derailments and accidents. Notable tragedies include the 2005 Ghotki train disaster, which killed over 130 people and a 2021 train collision that left at least 65 people dead.

As opposed to that, the UK has one of the densest railway networks in Europe with almost all major towns and cities connected by rail.

“Pakistan and the United Kingdom have emphasized joint measures to further strengthen their bilateral trade and economic relations, with special focus on the railways sector,” state-run media reported following Abbasi’s meeting with Marriot in Islamabad.

State broadcaster Radio Pakistan said Abbasi called for “a comprehensive strategy” between Pakistan and the United Kingdom to develop and modernize the former’s railway sector.

“He said Pakistan is ready to fully benefit from UK’s expertise in modernizing the railways infrastructure in the country and improving performance of this sector,” Radio Pakistan said.

Abbasi said the two countries would continue to work together on mutual interest railways projects that will benefit their economies and improve public transportation.

Pakistan has recently attempted to improve its railway infrastructure to ensure economic growth and development.

In March, Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials agreed to expand bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the railways sector.

Abbasi had said Pakistan Railways is continuously working to improve its services through long-term agreements with domestic and international suppliers, emphasizing that Islamabad offers a business-friendly environment and presents significant opportunities for investors.


Pakistan reports second death of 2025 from deadly brain-eating amoeba

Updated 04 June 2025
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Pakistan reports second death of 2025 from deadly brain-eating amoeba

  • Naegleria fowleri, with a 98 percent fatality rate, spreads when contaminated water enters through the nose
  • Victim, a Karachi resident, used water at home and nearby mosque for ablution, says Sindh government

KARACHI: A 23-year-old man died in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi this week after contracting Naegleria fowleri, the Sindh Health Department said on Wednesday, marking the second death of the year from the deadly brain-eating amoeba.

Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the brain-eating amoeba, has a fatality rate of over 98 percent. It is transmitted when contaminated water enters the body through the nose and cannot be spread from person to person.

Pakistan has witnessed a rise in Naegleria fowleri cases in recent years, with more than 100 reported deaths since the first confirmed infection in 2008. Five fatalities were recorded in 2024 alone.

In the latest case the deceased, a resident of Karachi’s Orangi Town area, was hospitalized on May 30 after suffering from symptoms on May 28. He died on June 3 after the presence of Naegleria fowleri was confirmed in the patient on June 1. 

“Upon investigation, it was noted that the patient had not participated in any water-related activities,” the Sindh Health Department said. “His only exposure was regular use of water at home and use of water at a nearby local mosque to perform ablution.”

Symptoms of Naegleria fowleri infection include severe headache, altered sense of taste, high fever, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting. Death typically occurs within five to seven days of infection.

The health department confirmed this was the second death in Pakistan from Naegleria fowleri in 2025. The first death was reported in March when a 36-year-old woman died from the same disease. She was also a resident of Karachi. 

A 2021 study by the Sindh Health Department found that 95 percent of water samples in Karachi, Sindh’s provincial capital, were unfit for human consumption.

Experts say the contamination leads to the spreading of the brain-eating amoeba among the city’s residents.


Pakistan clinches 14 medals at Asian Indoor Rowing Championship in Thailand

Updated 04 June 2025
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Pakistan clinches 14 medals at Asian Indoor Rowing Championship in Thailand

  • Pakistan rowing team wins 10 gold medals, three silver and one bronze
  • Championship features athletes competing on indoor rowing machines

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan bagged 14 medals, including 10 gold ones, at the recently concluded Asian Indoor Rowing Championship in Thailand, state media reported this week.

The Asian Indoor Rowing Championship was organized by the Asian Rowing Federation from May 26 to 31 in Pattaya, Thailand, to showcase the talents of indoor rowers from across Asia.

Unlike traditional rowing competitions held on water, this championship features athletes competing on indoor rowing machines, such as the Concept2 ergometer, simulating the rowing experience in a controlled environment.

“Competing against 25 countries, the Pakistani squad stunned traditional powerhouses such as India, Iran, Thailand, South Korea and Japan,” Radio Pakistan said in a report on Monday.

“Despite being a small contingent, the Pakistani rowers delivered an outstanding performance that defied expectations.”

According to a local news outlet, Pakistan won 10 gold, three silver and one bronze medal.

Key contributors included Pakistani rowers Abdul Jabbar and Muhammad Shahzad, who won one gold and one silver each.

Tayyab Iftikhar earned one silver medal and one bronze, the report added.

Radio Pakistan said the athletes received a grand welcome from the Pakistan Rowing Federation (PRF) upon their return to the country.

It highlighted that the athletes’ performance marked “a new era for rowing” in Pakistan. PRF President Hamdan Nazir and Chairman Rizwan-ul-Haq also praised the players for their outstanding achievements.


Pakistani man accused of killing young TikTok influencer appears in court

Updated 04 June 2025
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Pakistani man accused of killing young TikTok influencer appears in court

  • Umar Hayat is accused of killing TikTok influencer Sana Yousaf for rejecting friendship offers 
  • Pakistani judge orders Hayat to be presented again on June 18 for pretrial proceedings

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani man accused of killing a 17-year-old TikTok influencer after she rejected his offer of friendship made his first court appearance Wednesday, officials and police said.

Suspect Umar Hayat, 22, who also creates content on TikTok, was arrested Tuesday by Islamabad police in Faisalabad, an industrial city in eastern Punjab province.

He is accused of shooting Sana Yousuf, who had more than one million followers on social media. The killing earlier this week in Islamabad drew widespread condemnation.

TV footage showed Hayat with his face covered as he was brought to court, where police requested additional time to complete their investigation and file formal murder charges.

The judge ordered that Hayat be presented again on June 18 for pretrial proceedings.

Yousuf, originally from the scenic northern region of Chitral, was known for promoting traditional Chitrali music and dress through her videos. She also advocated for girls’ education. TikTok has more than 60 million users in Pakistan, many of them young women and teenagers.

Hours before her murder, she had posted a photo celebrating her birthday with friends.


Pakistan’s Punjab issues solar panel installation guidelines following accidents 

Updated 04 June 2025
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Pakistan’s Punjab issues solar panel installation guidelines following accidents 

  • Over 70% of 124 accidents reported across Punjab during May 24 thunderstorms were related to solar panels, says disaster management authority
  • Guidelines include installation of solar panels by those certified by federal government, using wind-rated mounting systems that withstand pressure 

ISLAMABAD: The disaster management authority in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province on Wednesday issued new guidelines for the installation of solar systems, citing that over 70 percent of accidents related to solar panels were reported during a thunderstorm last month. 

Thunderstorms killed at least 21 people and injured more than 100 others in Punjab late last month as moist currents penetrated upper parts of Pakistan, according to national and provincial disaster management authorities.

Earlier this week, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a fresh alert for rain and strong, dusty winds across the province from June 2 to June 5. 

“During the thunderstorm on May 24, there were 124 small and large accidents in Punjab,” PDMA spokesperson Mazhar Hussain told Arab News. 

“When this was analyzed, it was revealed that over 70 percent of the accidents have been caused by solar panels or related structures,” he added. 

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said new guidelines and a regulatory framework were prepared by stakeholders, including the province’s energy department and the local government department.

“These instructions are aligned with the national framework provided by the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), and include essential safety protocols, installation standards and the responsibilities of certified installers,” Kathia explained. 

According to the guidelines seen by Arab News, the PDMA has directed users to procure the services of AEDB-certified installers to ensure a professional solar system design and so that the panels are properly mounted, sealed and structurally reinforced.

Along with other technical details, the PDMA stresses people to use wind-rated mounting systems attached to mountings by stainless steel nut bolts. The authority directs that these bolts be fastened using stainless steel spring washers. 

It also says people should consider windstorm-safe anchors or extra brackets in the province’s regions prone to storms. 

“The mountings itself should be properly secured with base/floor to ensure it can withstand windstorms and other climatic vagaries,” the document stated.

Kathia said only professionals approved by the AEDB will be authorized to install solar energy systems. He said this move was aimed at ensuring technical standards were maintained and risks associated with faulty or unregulated installations were reduced.

“In addition, all structures across Punjab that may be vulnerable to future damage are being surveyed by the respective deputy commissioners,” the PDMA official said.

He added strict compliance would be ensured in close coordination with district administrations to avoid such accidents in the future. 

Khalil Ahmed, owner of a solar installation company in Punjab’s provincial capital Lahore, supported the PDMA’s decision.

Ahmed said people often hire non-professional installers to save a small amount of money, putting both their systems and safety at risk.

“Ensuring that only AEDB-certified professionals handle solar installations is not just a matter of compliance, it’s a matter of public safety,” he told Arab News.

Proper mounting, structural reinforcement, and weatherproofing are essential to prevent accidents and protect both lives and property, he added.