Pakistan’s religious ministry proposes 50% Hajj quota for pilgrims paying in US dollars

In this file photo, taken on July 24, 2017, Pakistani Muslims wait to be checked by security as pilgrims for the annual Hajj pilgrimage arrive in Jeddah. (Photo courtesy: AFP/File)
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Updated 04 March 2023
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Pakistan’s religious ministry proposes 50% Hajj quota for pilgrims paying in US dollars

  • Government plans to start accepting Hajj applications from March 13 after announcing pilgrimage policy
  • Finance minister Ishaq Dar expresses ‘firm commitment’ to facilitate pilgrims during this coming Hajj season

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has decided in principle to allocate 50 percent Hajj sponsorship quota for overseas Pakistanis and their local relatives who plan to bear the expense of the journey in US dollars, confirmed an official source on Saturday.

The Hajj is an obligatory religious ritual for adult Muslims with physical and financial means, requiring them to visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah at least once in their lifetime to perform pilgrimage rites in Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia announced restoration of Pakistan’s pre-pandemic Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims and removed the upper age limit of 65.

Pakistani officials also maintained in recent weeks that people paying in US dollars for the spiritual journey will not have to undergo the usual balloting process.

“Religious affairs minister Mufti Abdul Shakoor met with finance minister Ishaq Dar to discuss the Hajj policy, sponsorship scheme and payment of funds in the kingdom,” a senior ministry official told Arab News on condition of anonymity.

“It was decided in principle to fix the quota of sponsorship Hajj scheme at 50 percent, instead of the previously proposed 25 percent, to meet the requirements of foreign exchange during the Hajj this year,” he continued.

The official informed the finance minister said the government would try to arrange foreign exchange required for the Hajj season despite tough economic circumstances.

State-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency also confirmed the meeting between the two ministers on Saturday, saying Dar “expressed a firm commitment to extend maximum support and cooperation” to facilitate the pilgrims.

“Hajj is a sacred religious obligation to be performed by every Muslim and we have to contribute our part for the blessings of Almighty Allah,” the APP quoted him as saying.

Pakistan is facing a grave financial crisis amid depleting forex reserves and rapidly depreciating national currency, making its administration introduce the sponsorship scheme on such a massive scale for the first time in history.

The senior ministry official said the scheme would only benefit overseas Pakistanis or their relatives.

“Pakistanis remitting foreign exchange from abroad to the designated accounts will be able to benefit from the scheme,” he added. “People with Pakistani passports will be eligible to join the scheme.”

He informed the final decision on the issue, along with the Hajj policy, would be announced after the approval of federal cabinet next week.

Under the regular Hajj scheme, applications from aspiring pilgrims will be collected by designated Pakistani banks as per the past practice.

“Estimated Hajj expense at the current dollar rate is likely to range from Rs1.1 million to Rs1.2 million,” said the ministry official, adding the government was expected to start receiving pilgrims' applications from March 13.


Father accused of murder of British-Pakistani girl blames stepmother

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Father accused of murder of British-Pakistani girl blames stepmother

  • Sara Sharif was found dead in her bed in southwest of London in Aug. 2023 with injuries including broken bones, burns
  • Her father, Urfan Sharif, had fled to Pakistan a day before the body was found, along with his wife and the girl’s uncle

LONDON: The father of a 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl on Thursday denied her murder and instead blamed the girl’s stepmother, calling her “evil” and “psycho.”

Sara Sharif was found dead in her bed in Woking, southwest of London, on August 10, 2023 with injuries including broken bones, burns and bite marks.

Her father, Urfan Sharif, 42, had fled to Pakistan a day before the body was found, along with his wife Beinash Batool, 30, and the girl’s uncle, Faisal Malik, 29.

Sharif then called police in the UK shortly after arriving in Islamabad and said he had “beat her up too much.” During the trial, Sharif said he made up this and another confession to “protect my family.”

All three adults were arrested upon their return to the UK a month later. They deny charges of murder and allowing the death of a child.

Details of the extent of Sara’s injuries have been detailed at London’s Old Bailey court, including claims from Batool that Sharif would beat his daughter badly.

Giving evidence for a third day, Sharif admitted slapping Sara “multiple times” but denied beating, burning, or biting her, insisting that he was “never at home” when she was injured.

Sharif broke down when his lawyer, Naeem Mian, questioned him about beating Sara, who was home schooled, with a cricket bat.

The taxi driver denied burning his daughter with an iron and instead said he was “made to” slap Sara by Batool, who constantly accused the girl of behaving badly.

Pointing to Batool sitting in the dock, Sharif shouted: “I should not have believed her... I didn’t realize I’m living with evil and a psycho.”

He also suggested that Batool was the one who bit her “like an animal.”

The jury was previously told that Sharif and Malik had provided their dental impressions but Batool had refused.

“I didn’t do it. Faisal didn’t do it. Who else was at home?” Sharif said.

He denied ever being aware of Sara being in pain. “She never told me that,” he said and indicated that he did not see injuries because Sara wore full-sleeve tops and long bottoms as well as a hijab head covering.

In the month leading up to Sara’s death, Mian said Sharif was out of the house at work from early in the morning to late at night while holing frequent telephone conversations with Batool, who would largely be at home.

Sharif wept as he recalled a time he came home and saw that Sara’s hands had been tied behind her back with brown packaging tape, accusing Batool of the act.

Asked why he did not call the police or ask Batool to leave, Sharif said that his wife was “manipulative” and that he believed her apology.

“I have been an idiot,” he added.

Forensic evidence shown to court included bundles of packaging tape and a white plastic carrier bag fashioned into a hood that could have been used on Sara’s head.

The bag had packaging tape stuck to it as well as long, brown hairs that matched Sara’s DNA, the court was told.

Both the bag and the non-sticky side of the tape had fingerprints that matched Sharif’s, who denied fashioning a hood out of the plastic bag or using it on Sara.

He said the fingerprints could be a result of him handling the items while sorting the garbage.

Sharif had previously accused Batool of being abusive toward him and preventing him from asking Sara about how she obtained her injuries.

In 2022, Batool texted her sister that Sharif had suggested using make-up to cover up bruises after beating Sara, to which the sister replied: “LOL it was going to happen you can tell.”

In the days before her death, Sharif said Sara, who did chores around the house, had asked him to “not go to work.”


Pakistan win toss, bowl in 2nd ODI against Australia

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Pakistan win toss, bowl in 2nd ODI against Australia

  • The hosts lead 1-0 after a tense two-wicket win in Melbourne on Monday
  • Pakistan named unchanged side with fast bowler Naseem Shah declared fit

ADELAIDE: Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl in the second of a three-game one-day series against Australia in Adelaide on Friday.

The hosts lead 1-0 after a tense two-wicket win in Melbourne on Monday.

Pakistan named an unchanged side with fast bowler Naseem Shah declared fit after leaving the field during the first match, apparently with cramp.

Australia made one change with veteran Josh Hazlewood returning in place of Sean Abbott to join his long-time pace partners Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short again open the batting in the absence of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head and will be keen to make their mark after falling cheaply in the opening match.

Teams

Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (capt), Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain


Pakistani firms bank on clinching ‘significant deals’ after debuting at Gulfood Manufacturing 2024

Updated 07 November 2024
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Pakistani firms bank on clinching ‘significant deals’ after debuting at Gulfood Manufacturing 2024

  • Around 29 Pakistani firms participated in Gulfood Exhibition 2024 from Nov. 5-7 in Dubai
  • Pakistani exhibitors say visitors from Middle East showed keen interest in their products

ISLAMABAD: After participating for the first time at the renowned Gulfood Manufacturing 2024 event in Dubai this week, Pakistani exhibitors on Thursday hoped the experience would help them clinch “significant deals” to penetrate markets in the Middle East.
Since 2014, Gulfood Manufacturing has been advancing the global food processing sector through innovation. This year, more than 1,200 suppliers from over 60 countries participated in the event held in Dubai from Nov. 5-7.
In a first, 21 Pakistani exhibitors took part in the tenth edition of the food and beverages trade fair under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan’s (TDAP) umbrella.
Eight other Pakistani companies participated independently to showcase food ingredients, processing, packaging, printing, labeling, and supply chain solutions for the food and beverage industry.
Abdul Wahab, director of the Faisalabad-based food packaging machine manufacturer Nadeem Engineering Company, said businesses from across the Middle East showed keen interest in his organization’s machinery and other products.
“Our competitive prices and high quality helped initiate many business deals, which we hope to finalize in the coming weeks,” Wahab told Arab News.

Pakistani exhibitors interact with the visitors at Gulfood Manufacturing Expo in Dubai, UAE on November 05, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan mission UAE)

Wahab thanked the Pakistani mission in the UAE and TDAP for their support, saying it enabled them to create more business opportunities.
“We are optimistic about securing a few significant deals that will help us enter the vast Gulf market,” he added.
A dedicated Pakistan Pavilion at the trade fair helped Pakistani firms showcase their products to visitors from across the globe. 

Pakistani exhibitors interact with the visitors at Gulfood Manufacturing Expo in Dubai, UAE on November 05, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan mission UAE)

Sheikh Abdul Qayyum, the chief executive officer of the Karachi-based company Lunwa Biz Packaging, praised the Pakistan Pavilion Initiative by saying that it helped generate a “good response” from visitors.
“Some good deals and memorandums of understanding have been signed, and we are working to bring them to final maturity,” Qayyum told Arab News. He said his company hoped to achieve positive results and generate substantial revenue from these agreements.
“We received support from the TDAP, which made the booth valued at Rs2.5 million available to us for Rs0.7 million, allowing us to make efforts to utilize this opportunity,” Qayyum said. 

Pakistani exhibitors interact with the visitors at Gulfood Manufacturing Expo in Dubai, UAE on November 05, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan mission UAE)

Faraz Tayyab, the project manager of Dubai-based company Menras who designed and managed the Pakistan Pavilion, said over 100,000 people visited Pakistani stalls while exhibitors reported an excellent response for their products.
“One machine manufacturer even sold his display unit and signed a deal to send additional machines to the Dubai-based buyer from Pakistan,” Tayyab told Arab News.
Although it was their first time participating, Tayyab said Pakistani companies have made an impressive impact and will benefit greatly from this experience.
“It has opened the gateway for a bigger participation next year,” he said.


Four soldiers, five militants killed in northwest Pakistan operation — military

Updated 07 November 2024
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Four soldiers, five militants killed in northwest Pakistan operation — military

  • Security forces, militants traded fire in Karama area in South Waziristan, says military’s media wing
  • Pakistani has suffered surge in militant attacks since November 2022 in areas bordering Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Four Pakistani soldiers and five militants were killed during a gunbattle in the country’s restive northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the army’s media wing said on Thursday, as Islamabad grapples with surging militancy.
The exchange of fire between security forces and militants took place in South Waziristan’s Karama area on Wednesday, the Inter-Services Public Relations, the army’s media wing, said in a statement.
The army said four Pakistani soldiers were killed during the exchange of fire. These included Naib Subedar Taib Shah, 38, Lance Naik Gulab Zaman, 30, Lance Naik Muzammil Mehmood, 30 and Lance Naik Habibullah, 28.
“Resultantly, five Khwarij were sent to hell due to effective engagement by own troops,” the ISPR said, referring to the term the military uses for the Pakistani Taliban militants.
The army said it was conducting a sanitization operation in the area to eliminate any other militants.
“Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it concluded.
Pakistan has been witnessing a spike in militant violence in its northwestern and southwestern regions that border Afghanistan, particularly after the Pakistan Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called off its fragile truce with the government in Islamabad in November 2022.  
The militant group, which is said to have sanctuaries in neighboring Afghanistan, is separate from but a close ally of the Afghan Taliban. 
Ties between Islamabad and Kabul have been strained as the former accuses the latter of sheltering TTP militants. Afghanistan denies the allegations and has urged Pakistan to resolve its security challenges internally. 


Pakistan says Trump election as US president won’t affect China ties

Updated 07 November 2024
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Pakistan says Trump election as US president won’t affect China ties

  • FO spokesperson says Pakistan wants to strengthen and broaden relationship with US 
  • Says Pakistan and US maintain ties via mutual respect, confidence and non-interference

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Thursday its relations with key longtime ally China would remain “unaffected” by Donald Trump winning the US presidential election, as Islamabad walks a diplomatic tightrope between the two global powers.
Pakistan maintains a delicate balance in its relations with China and the US. While aligned with the US for military cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts, Pakistan has strengthened economic ties with Washington’s rival China through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Washington and Beijing’s ties remain strained as they compete for global influence, with the US seeking to maintain its dominance and China aiming to expand its reach. The two countries are often embroiled in disagreements over trade, Taiwan, the South China Sea and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
This complex rivalry impacts Pakistan as it navigates its strategic partnerships with both world powers while grappling with a prolonged economic crisis.
“Pakistan’s relations with China are all-weather,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said during a weekly press briefing when asked if Trump’s victory will affect the country’s China policy.
“They are strategic and a source of stability in our foreign policy.” 
Baloch said Islamabad does not even need to consider the possibility that its relationship with China will be affected by any domestic development in another country.
She stressed that Pakistan’s relations with China have grown and expanded over the last several decades, emphasizing that the relationship remained immune to developments around the world.
Baloch dismissed claims that President-elect Trump could influence Pakistan’s politics as speculative, emphasizing that Pakistan and the US were “old friends” maintaining relations based on mutual respect, confidence, and non-interference.
In response to another question, the spokesperson said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had already congratulated President-elect Trump on his presidential election win.
“Our relations with the United States are decades old, and we look forward to further strengthen and broaden Pakistan-US relationship in all fields,” she added. “As the Deputy Prime Minister said in a tweet yesterday, we look forward to fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.”
Pakistan and the US cultivated strong defense ties during the Cold War days yet their relationship was also tested by divergent priorities on various issues. 
However, tensions between the two countries escalated, particularly after 9/11, when US officials criticized Pakistan for not sufficiently supporting the American military efforts against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Washington and Islamabad’s ties were further strained as the former suspected the latter of supporting the Taliban in its 2021 takeover of Kabul, allegations which Islamabad rejected. Tensions rose further in 2022 when former PM Imran Khan accused the Biden administration of orchestrating his ouster via a parliamentary vote, a charge the US denied. 
Pakistan, under Shehbaz Sharif’s two separate stints as prime minister in 2022 and 2024, has made attempts to improve its ties with the US.