ISLAMABAD: Moments before dawn, Noor ul Islam ascends the steps of one of the world’s biggest mosques, enters its cavernous hall and says a private prayer before a faintly buzzing microphone.
Then, the 32-year-old gulps down a deep breath and makes the morning’s call to worship — a forceful yet lilting chant amplified across Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, marking the start of daylight fasting during Ramadan.
“The voice is a gift from God,” Islam told AFP at Faisal Mosque, a towering marble monument to the nation’s devotion to faith.
“If your intentions are genuine, your voice will have the power to touch people’s hearts,” he said.
All across the Muslim world, men like Islam, known as muezzins, broadcast the “adhan” call to prayer, five times a day.
In the month of Ramadan, where prayers mark the start and finish of 14 hours of fasting in Pakistan, the faithful are particularly attuned.
The script and rhythm are the same everywhere.
Intoned in Arabic over minaret loudspeakers, it reminds Muslims: “God is the greatest” and they should “hasten to prayers.”
But there is a quiet hierarchy among muezzins.
A particularly melodic caller can increase the standing of a mosque. House hunters might judge the neighborhood adhan before making an offer. And at prestigious mosques, the job is highly coveted.
The three muezzin roles at Faisal Mosque — a national emblem opened in 1986 with a fabled capacity of 300,000 worshippers — are among the most prized outside the holy sites of Makkah and Medina.
Holy calling
As a teenager visiting Pakistan’s capital from his hometown 105 kilometers (65 miles) away, Islam was captivated by the soulful call from Faisal Mosque’s four spiked towers.
“Every Muslim yearns to say the adhan, lead prayers or give a sermon at a well-known mosque,” he said. “Every pious Muslim has this dream.”
His chance came in 2018, when a single slot opened and he beat 400 other candidates to the post.
When he steps up to the microphone, Islam plugs his ears with his fingers in order to block all sounds apart from his voice.
“The adhan, delivered with a beautiful and precise pronunciation, resonates with people,” said 57-year-old businessman Aziz Ahmed in front of the mosque.
Some of Islam’s fellow muezzins coddle their vocal cords like rock stars and theater performers, drinking honey-laced beverages, and avoiding cold breezes and oil-drenched Pakistani cuisine.
“I am a careless person when it comes to this,” chuckles Islam. “I can’t resist.”
Nonetheless, he treats his vocation with humble reverence.
“The fundamental purpose of the adhan is to invite people toward God. You can only accomplish this effectively when you possess a pure heart,” he said.
“Any delay or lack of sincerity in performing the adhan could potentially erode our faith.”
A sub-par adhan is treated as a “formality” by muezzins who create “fake voices.”
A good recital can “strike me straight in the heart,” Islam said.
But the position does come with a hint of celebrity.
Devotees travel for miles to hear the call at Faisal Mosque, peer through the windows to watch Islam at work and ask for selfies afterwards.
Back home in the town of Swabi, he is considered a local hero.
Now Islam aspires to secure a further promotion to muezzin at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Makkah.
“I can’t explain these feelings,” he said. “Every Muslim should try to make this bond between him and God.”
“There is peace in this.”
Pakistan mega-mosque muezzin summons the faithful in Ramadan
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Pakistan mega-mosque muezzin summons the faithful in Ramadan
- Three muezzin roles at Islamabad’s Faisal Mosque are among the most prized outside the holy sites of Makkah and Madina
- Devotees travel for miles to hear the call at Faisal Mosque, peer through the windows to watch Islam at work and ask for selfies afterwards
Pakistan PM greets Gulf leaders ahead of Eid, discusses trade and investment
- Shehbaz Sharif called the top leaders of Qatar and Oman and discussed bilateral relations
- Qatar will send a delegation to Pakistan to evaluate investment options immediately after Eid
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the top leaders of Qatar and Oman on Saturday to extend Eid Al-Fitr greetings and reaffirm his country’s desire to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, his office said.
Pakistan has actively sought to strengthen ties with Gulf nations in recent years, with countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates providing generous financial assistance to Islamabad amid a prolonged economic crisis.
Pakistan continues to seek foreign investment and opportunities to send more skilled labor to the region and boost remittance inflows, a critical component of its economy. High-level visits, investment dialogues and export-related events have been held across Gulf states as part of these efforts.
The phone calls to the Qatari and Omani leaders came ahead of Eid Al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and amid preparations for increased economic engagement.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic call with the Amir of the State of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani today and conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to the Amir and the brotherly people of Qatar on Eid ul Fitr,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
“The two leaders also reaffirmed their common desire to further strengthen the close brotherly relations in the trade and investment,” it added. “To carry forward discussions on investment, it was agreed that a delegation from Qatar shall visit Pakistan immediately after Eid.”
Sharif also expressed appreciation for Qatar’s diplomatic efforts, particularly in Gaza, and recalled his visit to Doha last October, where he attended the Manzar cultural exhibition hosted by Sheikha Al Mayassa. He proposed holding a similar exhibition in Lahore, a suggestion the Qatari leader reportedly accepted.
In a separate phone call, the prime minister spoke with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, exchanging Eid greetings and expressing Pakistan’s interest in expanding cooperation across all sectors.
“The Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction on the recent successful visit of Pakistan’s Commerce Minister to Muscat, which would pave the way for the two sides to explore mutually beneficial avenues for cooperation,” said the PM Office in another statement.
“The Prime Minister also reiterated his invitation to the Sultan of Oman and requested him to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience,” it added.
The Omani Sultan warmly reciprocated the Eid greetings and conveyed his best wishes for the people of Pakistan.
Pakistan announces discovery of major antimony reserves in Balochistan
- Antimony can be used in military equipment such as infrared missiles, nuclear weapons and night vision goggles
- The announcement comes just days ahead of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, aimed at attracting foreign businesses
KARACHI: Pakistan has discovered significant reserves of antimony, a critical metal traditionally used in batteries, semiconductors and flame retardants, in the mineral-rich southwestern province of Balochistan, the country’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) said on Saturday.
The strategic significance of the discovery, however, lies in its use in military equipment such as infrared missiles, nuclear weapons, night vision goggles and as a hardening agent for bullets and tanks. China is currently the largest producer of antimony in the world, though the discovery could also prove highly beneficial for Pakistan’s economy and defense sector.
“Significant antimony reserves have been discovered in Balochistan, and a comprehensive commercial plan has been developed by the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC),” the SIFC statement informed.
“OGDCL and PMDC have entered into a 50:50 partnership, with the formal announcement of the joint venture expected during the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 on April 8–9,” it added.
Pakistan has designated mining and minerals as a priority sector for national economic development, aiming to reduce its reliance on imports and enhance exports. The government has launched a series of reforms and events to attract local and international investment in the sector. The SIFC, a civil-military body established in 2023, serves as a one-window platform to streamline such investments and facilitate economic activity across key sectors.
According to the SIFC, Pakistan is also making headway in acquiring ten mineral blocks in Gilgit-Baltistan, where gold, copper, nickel and cobalt deposits have been confirmed.
In Punjab, coordination is underway between the OGDCL and the provincial mineral department to explore mineral deposits in Chiniot, where previous surveys have indicated iron, copper and gold potential.
Pakistan is also exploring the possibility of leveraging refining facilities in Oman to process extracted antimony, which would reduce local infrastructure constraints and accelerate the commercialization process.
To support the mining sector’s long-term growth, the SIFC said the government wants to align academic curricula with international standards and has committed to working with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and local universities to produce a skilled workforce.
The announcements come just days ahead of the high-profile Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025, where the government is expected to highlight the country’s mineral wealth and attract both domestic and international investors.
Pakistan fires back at India over allegations of mistreatment of minorities
- Indian FM Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said there were 10 cases of “atrocities” against the Hindu community in Pakistan last month
- Islamabad says ‘systematic promotion of hatred, discrimination, and violence against minorities’ is well-documented in India
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Foreign Office on Saturday rejected Indian allegations of mistreatment of minorities in Pakistan, calling New Delhi a “serial violator of those very rights.”
The statement came in response to Indian Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s remarks in parliament about “crimes and atrocities against minorities” in Pakistan.
Jaishankar said they “follow very closely and track the treatment of minorities in Pakistan,” and there were 10 cases of “atrocities” against the Hindu community in Feb., English-language daily Hindustan Times reported.
In response, the Pakistani Foreign Office said New Delhi was in no position to champion minority rights as it remained a serial violator of those very rights in India.
“In Pakistan, state institutions actively work to safeguard minorities as a matter of policy,” it said. “In stark contrast, incidents targeting minorities in India frequently occur with the tacit approval — or even complicity — of elements within the ruling dispensation.”
The two countries traded barbs days after a US panel on religious freedom said the treatment of minorities in Pakistan and India was “deteriorating,” recommending sanctions be imposed on the former’s officials and government agencies and the latter’s external spy agency over its alleged involvement in plots to assassinate Sikh separatists.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a bipartisan US government advisory body that monitors religious freedom abroad and makes policy recommendations, said this in its annual report on Wednesday.
Archrivals Pakistan and India routinely level similar accusations against each other, but both countries have often failed to safeguard minority rights and protect them against various attacks.
“Pakistan is a country where human rights abuses, the persecution of minorities, and the systematic erosion of democratic values are state policies,” Jaishankar said during the parliamentary session on Friday.
The Pakistani Foreign Office responded by saying that the “systematic promotion of hatred, discrimination, and violence against minorities in India is well-documented,” citing the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2002 Gujarat massacre, 2020 Delhi pogrom, 1992 demolition of Babri Mosque and other incidents.
“Rather than feigning concern for minorities elsewhere, the Indian government would do well to address its own failures,” it said. “It must take concrete steps to ensure the safety, protection, and well-being of minorities — including Muslims — and safeguard their places of worship, cultural heritage, and fundamental rights.”
Pakistan secures consensus at UN on funding to appoint Islamophobia envoy
- The resolution on revised budget estimates for Office of the Special Envoy on Combating Islamophobia was adopted during first part of 79th UNGA session
- The adoption marks a milestone for Islamabad’s multilateral engagement, following designation of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has secured consensus in the Fifth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on a resolution to fund the newly established Office of the Special Envoy on Combating Islamophobia, officials said on Saturday.
The Fifth Committee is one of six main committees at the UNGA, which deals with internal United Nations administrative and budgetary matters. The resolution on revised budget estimates was adopted during the closing session of the first part of the 79th UNGA.
Jibran Khan Durrani, first secretary at Pakistan’s UN mission, delivered the national statement at the session, expressing gratitude to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Group of 77 (G77) and China, and other international partners for their support.
“My delegation welcomes the consensual outcome of the resolution of the revised estimates of Islamophobia, an agenda item which was very important for my delegation as well as other OIC countries,” he said.
“My delegation extends sincere gratitude to the support extended by all members of the Group of 77 and China, OIC countries, and welcomes the constructive discussion that we had with our partners during the course of negotiations, making the consensus the first among all the consensual outcomes of this session.”
The Office of the Special Envoy on Combating Islamophobia will be established effective from April 1, according to the resolution. Its mandate will include monitoring, reporting and advising on rising Islamophobic trends globally and supporting the UN’s broader efforts against religious intolerance.
Pakistan played a leading role in the Fifth Committee discussions and the adoption of the resolution marks a milestone in Islamabad’s multilateral engagement, following its successful push to designate March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in 2022.
“We look forward to working with all delegation members in the upcoming session in the same spirit,” Durrani said, thanking the attendees, the 5th Committee Secretariat and all those who were part of the negotiations.
This month, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need to reverse an “alarming tide” of Islamophobia as the world marked the international day to combat the phenomenon.
He said March 15 not only serves as a “stark reminder” of the gravity of the challenges being faced by Muslims worldwide, but also as a powerful call to action, reflecting the collective will of the international community to combat Islamophobia through concrete legislative and policy measures.
“However, much more is urgently needed to reverse the alarming tide of Islamophobia and end the flagrant violations of fundamental human rights and religious freedoms,” Sharif said in a statement.
“At a time when religious intolerance is on the rise, we reaffirm that no justification exists for blasphemy or the desecration of sacred symbols under the guise of freedom of expression.”
Sharif said Pakistan was extremely proud to have led this important initiative at the UN and welcomed actions taken by some member states to outlaw the desecration of the Holy Qur’an as well as to address systemic marginalization of Muslims, urging the international community, human rights organizations, and global leaders to raise awareness against Islamophobia.
Blast in southwest Pakistan targets political party protesting arrest of rights defenders
- BNP party is protesting arrest of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, others after so-called violent demonstrations
- Dr. Baloch and others were arrested last week and charged with sedition, murder and terrorism
QUETTA: An alleged suicide bomber on Saturday hit a protest camp set up against the arrest of a prominent ethnic rights activist in the southwestern Balochistan province, a government spokesman said, with no casualties reported.
Parliamentarian Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal and his Balochistan National Party (Mengal) have been leading a protest since Friday against the arrest of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, one of Pakistan’s most prominent human rights advocates, who has long campaigned for the Baloch ethnic group.
She and other activists were arrested last week after they took part in a sit-in protest outside the University of Balochistan in the provincial capital of Quetta. They were demanding the release of other members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee rights group, whom they allege have been detained by security agencies.
Baloch and others have been charged with terrorism, sedition and murder after the demonstration ended in the death of three protesters, according to police documents. The Pakistan army and government have in the past variously referred to Baloch and her BYC as ‘terrorist proxies’ who are allied with militant separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation army. The group denies the charge and says it leads peaceful protests for the rights of the Baloch.
“An alleged suicide blast has taken place near the Mastung Luk Pass,” the Balochistan government spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the attack took place near the site of the BNP protest. “The participants, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, and all the political leadership of the BNP are safe.”
No group has as yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mengal, the BNP chief, posted on ‘X’ that he was safe, calling the attack a “failed attempt to make our protest unsuccessful.”
“We have decided not to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr unless the government releases our daughters,” Mengal said as he addressed protesters during the early hours of Saturday.
Last year, Baloch was barred from traveling to the United States to attend a TIME magazine awards gala after being named on the 2024 TIME100 Next list of “rising leaders.”
She began her activist career at the age of 16 in 2009 when her father went missing in an alleged “enforced disappearance.” His body was found two years later. Her BYC says it campaigns against such extrajudicial killings, abductions and other rights abuses against the ethnic Baloch people. The state denies official complicity.
Protests and advocacy among the Baloch are often led by women, who say their male counterparts have suffered the worst in a decades-long state crackdown.
Pakistan has been battling a separatist insurgency in Balochistan for decades, where militants target state forces and foreign nationals in the mineral-rich southwestern province bordering Afghanistan and Iran.
Police actions against Baloch activists have intensified after Baloch separatists earlier this month launched a dramatic train siege that officials said ended in around 60 deaths, half of whom were separatists behind the assault.
More than a dozen United Nations experts demanded this week that Pakistan immediately release detained Baloch rights defenders and halt its crackdown on peaceful protests.
