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Pakistan’s Riyadh envoy hails UN resolution to declare March 15 day to combat Islamophobia

Ameer Khurram Rathore, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, talking to Arab News about recent developments in bilateral relations between both countries. (AN photo)
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Updated 23 March 2022
Zaid Khashogji
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Pakistan’s Riyadh envoy hails UN resolution to declare March 15 day to combat Islamophobia

  • Saudi Arabia and Pakistan together persuaded the United Nations to condemn Islamophobia
  • The resolution was introduced by Pakistan’s representative Munir Akram, on behalf of the OIC
Updated 23 March 2022
Zaid Khashogji

RIYADH: Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia has hailed a UN resolution to declare March 15 a day to combat Islamophobia globally.

Ameer Khurram Rathore said the international organization’s move would help to break down bigoted stereotypes surrounding Muslims and terrorism.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are leading members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and together persuaded the UN to condemn Islamophobia.

“We have had full support in the multilateral fora, between Pakistan and the OIC countries, after which we were able to achieve this, and this is a big success.

“After 9/11 (the terror attacks against the US), Islam was associated with terrorism and an effort was made to carve out a stereotype for Muslims. This initiative of bringing the focus on Islamophobia is a long-term thing, it will break down that stereotype that some people tried to build between Muslims and terrorism,” Rathore added.

The resolution was introduced by Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, Munir Akram, on behalf of the OIC. It marked three years to the day since a gunman entered two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, killing 51 worshippers and wounding 40 others.

The 48th session of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers was on Tuesday due to take place in Islamabad. The two-day conference will coincide with Pakistan Day celebrations on Wednesday and selected guests will be invited to attend a parade.

“The mere fact that this is being held on March 23, which is Pakistan Day, tells us how strong the relationship between Pakistan and OIC countries is and how important it is for every Muslim country to stand together in these trying times,” the envoy said.

The summit will be the second OIC meeting to have recently been held in the Pakistani capital. Representatives of 56 OIC member states are expected to take part in the conference, titled “Partnering for Unity, Justice, and Development,” at which Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan will deliver a keynote speech at the opening session.

As well as addressing issues such as Palestine, and Jammu and Kashmir, conference discussions will also focus on key priorities such as countering Islamophobia, recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, peace and security, economic development, cultural and scientific cooperation, and revitalizing the role of the OIC.

“We are very thankful to the Saudi leadership for supporting us in this endeavor and we look forward to further deepening our relationship in this sphere,” Rathore added.

More than 2 million Pakistanis live and work in Saudi Arabia.

The ambassador said: “It is my greatest pleasure to live in Saudi, the Saudi-Pakistani relationship is in the hearts of people. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s relationship is a special relationship, it is very deep, it is historical, it is rooted in our history, in our culture, in our religious beliefs.

“Whenever there is a need of Pakistan for Saudi Arabia, we always find Saudi Arabia on our side, and vice versa. It has always been like that.

“It also shows how considerate the Saudi government is toward the Pakistanis who are living and working here. And they are not only contributing toward the development of Saudi society, but they are also helping Pakistan, in the form of remittances,” he added.

Rathore noted that the bonds between the two nations had helped to forge joint visions and shared perspectives on various issues.

He said: “Earlier, it was the political and cultural aspect which had driven the relationship. But these days, there is keenness on the part of the leadership of Pakistan, as well as the Saudi Arabian leadership, that the strength of our relationship should also be reflected in the economic domain. So, both countries are trying to build and deepen our business relationship.

“Economic relations are always a two-way street. We are working on the enhancement of exports to Saudi Arabia. We are working on investments and joint ventures between Saudi and Pakistani businesses.

“There are areas we are paying more attention to these days, and these are IT, the agricultural sector, petrochemicals, and a host of things we see a lot of potential for, and God-willing, we will see the fruits of these efforts coming in soon.”

In 2019, during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan, the Council of Saudi Chambers organized the Saudi-Pakistani Business Forum in cooperation with the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Investment and its Pakistani counterpart.

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi lauded the developments in Saudi-Pakistani relations and pointed out the need to further strengthen strategic business partnerships.

“We are very excited about the new projects, and we are praying for the success and early completion of mega projects like NEOM, which I think would be a game changer, not only for Saudi Arabia, but for the whole region, and we are looking forward to contribute in that development.”

Both countries have frequently exchanged high-level delegations and developed plans to expand bilateral cooperation. “The nature of our relationship is such that high-level bilateral visits are normal,” the envoy said.

The crown prince received a red-carpet welcome to Pakistan from Khan and his Cabinet members, the country’s army chief, and other senior officials during his two-day official visit in February 2019 when seven memorandums of understanding and agreements worth $20 billion were signed between the two countries. And Khan visited the Kingdom in October.

“We not only coordinate our positions in the multilateral fora. In the bilateral sphere, there is a constant consultation, there are many mechanisms whereby we consult each other very regularly.”

Both nations often exchange gifts, usually dates, and Pakistan considers its relationship with Saudi Arabia as its most “important and bilateral partnership” in current foreign policy.

The people of Muslim-majority Pakistan make regular religious pilgrimages to the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah, and more than 200,000 Pakistanis took part in the 2019 Hajj season.

Last year, around 70 delegations from OIC member states, non-members, and regional and international organizations attended the 17th extraordinary session of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers, hosted by Islamabad, to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

At the summit’s conclusion, OIC member states agreed to establish a humanitarian trust fund to channel assistance, appoint a special envoy, and work together with the UN in the war-torn country.

Topics: Pakistan Day Saudi Arabia Pakistan Saudi Ties Pakistan Day 2022

Pakistan inaugurates pavilion at GETEX Dubai 2025 to showcase educational potential 

Updated 30 April 2025
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Pakistan inaugurates pavilion at GETEX Dubai 2025 to showcase educational potential 

  • GETEX is considered region’s most established student recruitment platform
  • This year annual event is taking place in Dubai from April 30 to May 2 
Updated 30 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai Hussain Muhammad inaugurated the country’s first-ever pavilion at the Global Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) 2025 in Dubai on Wednesday to showcase the country’s educational potential, Pakistan’s Consulate General in Dubai said. 

GETEX is considered the region’s most established student recruitment platform. This year it is taking place from April 30 to May 2 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

The pavilion was formally inaugurated by Muhammad alongside Dr. Chaudhry Abdul Rehman, the chairman of the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP). 

“The Global Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) 2025 is currently underway in Dubai, where, for the first time, a dedicated Pakistan Pavilion has been established, marking a significant milestone in the country’s academic outreach on the global stage,” the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai said. 

The statement said Dr. Rehman is leading a 35-member delegation of vice chancellors and senior academic leaders from across Pakistan at the event. 

Muhammad commended the participation of Pakistan’s private universities at GETEX, noting that their presence reflects the country’s growing academic excellence and innovation. 

“He lauded APSUP’s leadership in bringing together a strong delegation and highlighted the importance of showcasing Pakistan’s educational potential in international forums,” the statement said. 

During the exhibition, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan also visited the Pakistan Pavilion. 

“He was warmly received and briefed by Prof. Dr. Rehman and praised the initiative as a valuable step forward in strengthening academic cooperation between the UAE and Pakistan, assuring full support for future engagements,” the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai said. 

Pakistan and the UAE enjoy cordial ties rooted in shared faith and culture. The UAE is home to over a million Pakistani expatriates — the second-largest overseas Pakistani community globally — and a major source of remittance inflows to Pakistan.

Policymakers in Islamabad view the UAE as an ideal export destination due to its geographic proximity, which lowers freight costs and facilitates smoother trade.

In recent months, the two countries have signed a series of agreements to boost economic ties.

Topics: GETEX Dubai

Pakistan urges US to ask India to ‘act responsibly’ amid threat of war

Updated 30 April 2025
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Pakistan urges US to ask India to ‘act responsibly’ amid threat of war

  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss tensions with India
  • Sharif says India’s “deeply worrisome” behavior will distract Pakistan from battling militants based in Afghanistan
Updated 30 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impress upon New Delhi to “act responsibly” amid fears of a military confrontation breaking out between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan. 

Tensions have surged between the two countries following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on Apr. 22 that New Delhi has said Pakistan was involved in. Islamabad denies the charges and has said it will participate in any credible and transparent investigation of the assault. 

Several countries such as China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, UK, US and others have called upon both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and avoid a military confrontation. Pakistan has vowed to give a “strong” response to any aggression after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the military freedom to respond to the Kashmir attack during a closed-door meeting on Tuesday. 

Sharif received a call from Rubio during which he offered the American official Pakistan’s perspective on the recent developments after the Apr. 22 attack, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. 

“He [Sharif] categorically rejected Indian attempts to link Pakistan to the incident and pointed to his call for a transparent, credible, and neutral investigation to bring out the facts,” the PMO said. 

“He urged the US to impress upon India to dial down the rhetoric and act responsibly.”

Sharif condemned “terrorism” in all its forms and manifestations and underscored Pakistan’s leading role in the “war against terror,” the statement said. 

He described India’s recent behavior as “deeply disappointing and worrisome,” saying it would only serve to distract Pakistan from its ongoing efforts to defeat militants, particularly those based in Afghanistan. 

India and Pakistan have fought two out of three wars since 1947 over the issue of the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir. Both countries claim Kashmir in full but administer only parts of it. 

“The Prime Minister emphasized that peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute was the only way to ensure lasting peace in South Asia,” the PMO said. 

On bilateral cooperation, Sharif told Rubio there were several areas where both sides could cooperate. He cited counterterrorism and enhanced economic cooperation, “particularly the minerals sector.”

“Secretary of State Rubio thanked the Prime Minister for the detailed conversation and emphasized the need for both sides to continue working together for peace and stability in South Asia,” the statement said. 

Earlier on Wednesday, fears of a military conflict were reignited when the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) reported India had carried out “unprovoked” firing in the Kayani and Mandal sectors of the Line of Control on Tuesday night. 
The LoC runs 742km (460 miles) dividing the parts of Kashmir governed by India and Pakistan, and acts as part of the de facto border between the two countries.
Small arms were used by the Indian forces, prompting Pakistan to respond, PTV said.
“There are also reports that multiple enemy posts were destroyed by the Pakistan Army’s effective response,” PTV said, naming one of them as the Chakpathra post.
Earlier on Wednesday, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported that a “timely” response by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had “forced” four Indian Rafale jets to retreat after payrolling near the two nations’ de facto border. 
“On the night of April 29/30, four Indian Rafale jets conducted patrolling within Indian geographical boundaries” near the LoC, APP reported, saying PAF “immediately” detected the jets. 
“A timely and swift response by the Pakistan Air Force forced four Indian Rafale jets to retreat … The Pakistani armed forces remain fully prepared and alert to give a befitting response to any aggression from India.”

Topics: Pakistan India Ties Pahalgam attack

Pakistan says alert armed forces will respond ‘very strongly’ to any Indian escalation

Updated 30 April 2025
Shahjahan Khurram 
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Pakistan says alert armed forces will respond ‘very strongly’ to any Indian escalation

  • Nation will respond to India in a “decisive manner” at time and place of its choosing, says Pakistan deputy premier
  • Fears of military conflict have increased after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for attack in Indian-administered Kashmir
Updated 30 April 2025
Shahjahan Khurram 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar warned India on Wednesday that the country’s armed forces are alert and would respond “very strongly” to any escalation by New Delhi, amid fears of an all-out war breaking out between the nuclear-armed neighbors. 
Tensions have surged between India and Pakistan following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on Apr. 22 that New Delhi has said Islamabad was involved in. Pakistan denies the charges and has said it will participate in any credible and transparent investigation of the assault. 
Fears have risen since that India may retaliate by conducting limited airstrikes or special forces raids near the Line of Control (LoC), which runs 742km (460 miles) dividing the parts of Kashmir governed by India and Pakistan and acts as part of the de facto border between the two countries. 
Speaking to reporters at a news conference with Pakistan’s military spokesperson by his side, Dar said the world leaders he has spoken to in the past few days have urged Islamabad to exercise restraint. 
“I have been making it very clear on behalf of our government, on behalf of the nation, Pakistan will not be the first one to resort to any escalatory move,” the deputy prime minister said.
“However, in case of any escalatory move by the Indian side, we will respond very strongly.”

He said Pakistan’s government and armed forces are alert to the possibility of any Indian military aggression.
“We are vigilant, our armed forces are vigilant and the nation will thwart any misadventure responding in a befitting and decisive manner at the time and place of our choosing,” he said. 
Pakistan military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry agreed with Dar. He said the military is monitoring the situation carefully and that its countermeasures and responses “in all domains are ready.”
“We are ready, do not test it,” Chaudhry warned. 


PAKISTAN SAYS DESTROYED INDIAN POSTS
Fears of a military confrontation between the two sides heightened further after Pakistan’s state media reported on Wednesday that Pakistan army troops responded to “unprovoked” Indian shelling on Tuesday night across the de facto border that divides the disputed Kashmir region between the two nations. 
PTV said India had carried out “unprovoked” firing in the Kayani and Mandal sectors of the Line of Control on Tuesday night. Small arms were used by the Indian forces, prompting Pakistan to respond.
“There are also reports that multiple enemy posts were destroyed by the Pakistan Army’s effective response,” PTV said, naming one of them as the Chakpathra post.

Earlier, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had “forced” four Indian Rafale jets to retreat after patrolling near the two nations’ de facto border. 
“On the night of April 29/30, four Indian Rafale jets conducted patrolling within Indian geographical boundaries” near the LoC, APP reported, saying PAF “immediately” detected the jets. 
“A timely and swift response by the Pakistan Air Force forced four Indian Rafale jets to retreat … The Pakistani armed forces remain fully prepared and alert to give a befitting response to any aggression from India.”
Since last Tuesday’s attack, in addition to shooting over the Line of Control frontier, India and Pakistan have announced tit-for-tat diplomatic measures that included the cancelation of visas and a recall of diplomats. 
New Delhi also suspended a crucial water-sharing treaty with Islamabad and ordered its border shut with Pakistan. In response, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines.
Late on Tuesday night, Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said Pakistan had “credible intelligence” India was planning military action against it in the “next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident.”

 

Topics: Pakistan India Pakistan India Ties Pahalgam attack

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Pakistan among top five nations with most people living in poverty — UN report

Updated 30 April 2025
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Pakistan among top five nations with most people living in poverty — UN report

  • Around 38.3 percent of Pakistanis live in multidimensional poverty, says United Nations’ annual report on Pakistan
  • Pakistan ranks 142 out of 146 on Global Gender Gap Index, highlighting disparities in women’s and girls’ economic participation
Updated 30 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ranks among the top five countries with the highest number of people living in poverty, the United Nations Development Programme said in its annual report recently, stating that 38.3 percent of the nation’s population experiences multidimensional poverty.
Poverty in Pakistan remains a complex challenge, exacerbated by a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that Islamabad is desperately trying to escape. Poor people in Pakistan have to face challenges in the form of lack of social protection and economic benefits, especially in informal jobs.
“According to the latest Multidimensional Poverty Index, Pakistan is among the five countries with the highest number of people living in poverty,” the UNDP said in its 2024 report on Pakistan, released on March 14.
“Around 38.3 percent of the population lives in multidimensional poverty, while 12.9 percent are vulnerable to falling into this category.”
Multidimensional poverty is a way of measuring poverty beyond income alone. It recognizes that people can experience multiple, overlapping deprivations that affect their well-being and quality of life.
These deprivations can include limited access to basic services such as access to clean water, electricity, health and sanitation facilities. 
Separately, the report ranked Pakistan 142 out of 146 on the Global Gender Gap Index, highlighting significant disparities in economic participation, political representation, and access to opportunities for women and girls.
“Ahead of Pakistan’s general elections, UNDP’s voter education campaign reached 85 million people, including 31 million women,” it added.
“This effort contributed to the registration of over 100,000 new voters, primarily women, raising women’s voter turnout to 43 percent in 2024, up from 39.7 percent in 2018.”
The Index is a benchmark tool developed by the World Economic Forum to measure gender-based disparities across countries. It evaluates how equitably resources and opportunities are distributed between men and women, regardless of overall income levels or development.
Gender disparity is a significant issue in Pakistan, characterized by unequal opportunities, wage gaps and underrepresentation of women in leadership and decision-making roles. 
Cultural norms and traditional gender roles often limit women’s participation in various sectors mostly dominated by men.

Temperatures in Pakistan may hit 50°C this week, a global record — report 

Updated 30 April 2025
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Temperatures in Pakistan may hit 50°C this week, a global record — report 

  • Wednesday and Thursday might be the hottest April days for Pakistan, says report
  • Says Pakistan recorded temperatures over 4 degrees above average so far this month
Updated 30 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Temperatures in central and southern Pakistan may surge to 50°C this week, nearing the global record for the highest temperature ever recorded in April, as per a report by American newspaper The Washington Post. 

The warning comes amid increasingly unpredictable climate patterns across South Asia, with several cities in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province such as Karachi experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves in recent years— a trend that climate experts attribute to broader shifts caused by global warming.

The situation underscores rising concerns over Pakistan’s preparedness for extreme weather events amid growing calls for stronger climate adaptation policies, increased tree cover in urban areas and more effective public awareness campaigns.

“Temperatures in central and southern Pakistan rose to 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47.8°C) last weekend and are forecast to climb through Wednesday, possibly nearing the global April record of 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50°C),” The Washington Post said in a report.

“Heat will build across the Middle East and South Asia through the week, with Wednesday and Thursday looking like the hottest days for Pakistan.”

It added that Sindh’s Nawabshah city had reached the 50°C mark back in April 2018 and could repeat the same this week. Nawabshah recorded a temperature of 50.2°C back then and set a new global record for the highest temperature ever observed in April. 

The report said “a sprawling dome of high pressure like a heavy lid trapping heat in a pot” was causing the current heat wave, stretching from the Middle East to South Asia. It noted that this area experiences the Earth’s most unusually warm temperatures during April.

It quoted the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts as predicting the maximum temperature to remain around 50°C in central Pakistan on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Temperatures have been more than 4 degrees above average in Pakistan so far this April, even before the arrival of this week’s potentially record-breaking heat,” it added.

Pakistan ranks among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, grappling with increasingly frequent extreme weather events from deadly heatwaves to devastating floods. 

The 2015 heatwave claimed over 2,000 lives in Karachi alone while the 2022 floods left more than 1,700 dead and over 33 million displaced nationwide.

Topics: summer temperatures

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