ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reiterated Pakistan’s complete support for an independent Palestinian state, saying it was the only “avenue toward peace” in the Middle East.
Sharif said this while addressing an extraordinary Arab–Islamic summit, hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, to discuss Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Israel has waged a war in Gaza since October last year, killing over 43,000 people and rendering the strip almost uninhabitable. Last month, it also invaded Lebanon and has since killed 3,000 people there.
Sharif said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza had reached a level beyond imagination, criticizing the international community for its silence on Israel’s continued bombing of Gaza and Lebanon.
“Pakistan stands firm in its commitment to Palestine’s right to self-determination. We reiterate our unwavering support to establish an independent, viable and contiguous state of Palestine... This is the only avenue toward peace and justice in the holy land,” he said.
“We equally denounce Israel’s ongoing military aggression against Lebanon and stand in complete solidarity with its innocent people. Such escalations constitute a dangerous threat that could unleash a broader war.”
The Pakistan prime minister criticized the world for its “indifference and inaction” on the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, saying they had emboldened Israel.
“With each passing day every moral code has been blatantly violated by Israel yet the killing and destruction continues with no end in sight,” he said.
“The international humanitarian laws meant to protect the vulnerable have been torn to shreds... Humanity is being tested and failing. While Gaza bleeds, the world watches in silence.”
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.”
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon, Islamabad has dispatched more than 1,300 tons of relief goods for Gaza and Lebanon, besides establishing the ‘Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Gaza and Lebanon’ that aims to collect public donations for the war-affected people.
Sharif said Muslim countries were bound “by faith and our conscience” to stand with the people of Palestine and not let this “systematic genocide” persist, urging the summit to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, arms embargo on Israel, lifting of Israel’s blockade of Gaza, ensuring prompt delivery of food, water, electricity and medical aid, accountability of Israel for its “war crimes,” and a comprehensive review of Israel’s membership of the United Nations (UN).
“Let this summit be a moment of transforming our voices into actions,” he said. “Together we must move beyond condemnation and act swiftly to uphold justice and dignity for the people of Palestine and all those who face oppression.”
Monday’s summit was a follow-up to the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit held in November 2023 in Riyadh.
In his opening statement at the summit, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman again renewed Saudi Arabia’s rejection of Israeli attacks in Gaza and violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty. He criticized the obstruction of humanitarian agencies’ work in Gaza and rejected diminishing the role of the Palestinian Authority.
Israel had formally notified the UN of its decision to sever ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees after Israeli lawmakers backed the move last week.
The international community must “immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon,” the crown prince said, condemning Israel’s campaign in Gaza as “genocide.”
“We condemn the Israeli military operations that targeted Lebanese territories and we reject anything that threatens Lebanon’s stability and safety as well as anything that violates its territorial integrity.”
He also condemned attacks on Iranian territory.
At Arab-Islamic summit, Pakistan PM says independent Palestinian state only ‘avenue toward peace’
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At Arab-Islamic summit, Pakistan PM says independent Palestinian state only ‘avenue toward peace’
- PM Shehbaz Sharif criticized the world for its ‘indifference and inaction’ on the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, saying they had emboldened Israel
- In his statement, the Saudi crown prince demanded the world must ‘immediately halt the Israeli actions against our brothers in Palestine and Lebanon’
Pakistan says Morocco interested in collaborating in aerospace sector
- Moroccan Air Force Inspector Maj. Gen. Mohammed Gadih calls on Pakistan’s chief of air staff in Islamabad
- Both officials discuss military cooperation and enhancing joint training exercises between the two countries
ISLAMABAD: Moroccan Air Force Inspector Major General Mohammed Gadih has expressed interest in collaborating with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the aerospace sector, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday, as the two countries move toward strengthening defense relations.
Pakistan and Arab countries enjoy strong defense ties, with both engaging in frequent joint training exercises and collaborations related to defense production and counter-terrorism intelligence sharing.
Gadih called on Pakistan’s Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu in Islamabad to discuss military cooperation and enhancing joint training between both countries, the Inter-Services Public Relations, (ISPR) the military’s media wing, said.
“Maj Gen Gadih lauded the technological advancement of PAF and expressed the desire of Moroccan Air Force to learn from aerospace industrial strides of PAF to enhance its operational capabilities,” the ISPR said.
“He conveyed his admiration for the state-of-the-art technological ecosystem witnessed during his visit to National Aerospace Science and Technology Park and shared his deep interest in exploring avenues of collaboration in the industrial domain.”
The Pakistani air chief reiterated his resolve to strengthen bilateral military partnership with Morocco, saying that it could be achieved through collaboration in joint training initiatives such as basic and tactical level training for Moroccan Air Force personnel.
The Moroccan air force official also visited different installations and technological infrastructure at the Air Headquarters, including the National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Center.
Pakistan PM assures Beijing of taking all possible steps to ensure Chinese nationals’ safety
- Shehbaz Sharif meets Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang at sidelines of COP29 summit in Baku
- Beijing has grown anxious over increasing number of attacks in Pakistan targeting Chinese nationals
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday assured China’s vice premier that Pakistan was determined to root out “terrorism” from its country, saying that Islamabad was taking all possible steps to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals.
Separatist outfits in Pakistan have previously attacked Chinese nationals in the country, with Islamabad saying the attacks are aimed at disrupting its ties with Beijing and destabilizing a multi-billion-dollar Chinese infrastructure project in Pakistan. A deadly suicide blast near the airport in the southern city of Karachi last month targeted Chinese engineers, killing two and injuring 21 others. In March this year, a suicide bombing killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver in northwestern Pakistan as they headed to the Dasu Dam, the largest hydropower project in the country.
China, breaking with tradition, recently spoke out publicly against security threats to its workers and nationals in Pakistan.
Sharif, who was in Baku to attend the global COP29 climate summit conference, met Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang at the sidelines of the summit to speak about bilateral ties between the two allies.
“While highlighting the government’s steps for the security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan, the prime minister said the government is taking all possible steps to ensure the security of Chinese nationals,” Sharif’s office said.
“The prime minister mentioned the government’s steps to completely eliminate the menace of terrorism from Pakistan and said that the government is determined to uproot terrorism from the country,” it added.
Sharif said China was Pakistan’s longstanding friend, adding that a new era of strengthening relations between the two countries had begun.
Separately, Sharif met Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev at the sidelines of the conference to congratulate him on successfully holding the World Leaders Climate Action Summit in Baku, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Sharif assured Aliyev that Islamabad was committed to work with Azerbaijan and the international community on challenges related to climate change.
“The two leaders reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations,” the PMO said. “They expressed their commitment to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, particularly in the areas of economic and defense cooperation; as well as people to people and cultural ties.”
Sharif expressed optimism about enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields including technology sharing and joint ventures in renewable energy, his office said.
In recent months, Pakistan has increasingly sought to attract investment and trade with regional countries, especially the Central Asian states, as it suffers from a prolonged macroeconomic crisis. It seeks to enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting the Central Asian republics with the rest of the world, leveraging its strategic geographical position.
Pakistan's Punjab says light rains from Nov. 14-16 likely to reduce smog
- Toxic smog has shrouded Pakistan’s cultural capital Lahore and 17 other districts in Punjab since last month
- Rain expected to occur in Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Rawalpindi and other districts on Nov. 14
ISLAMABAD: Light rains forecast by Pakistan's Meteorological Department from Nov. 14-16 in most districts of Punjab are likely to reduce smog in the eastern province, the provincial's disaster management authority said on Wednesday, as the deteriorating air quality continues to put the health of millions of people at risk.
Toxic smog has shrouded Lahore and 17 other districts in Punjab since last month. Health officials say more than 40,000 people have been treated for respiratory ailments forcing Punjab to close schools until Nov. 17 to protect children’s health. The UN children’s agency has warned that the health of 11 million children in Punjab is in danger due to air pollution.
South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan, is shrouded in intense pollution every winter as cold air traps emissions, dust, and smoke from farm fires. Pollution could cut more than five years from people’s life expectancy in the region, a study found last year.
“According to the Meteorological Department, rains are likely in Punjab from November 14 to 16,” the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab said. “Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said that the possible rains are likely to reduce smog.”
Rains are expected to lash Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Lahore, Mianwali, Khushab and Sargodha districts of Punjab, with thunderstorms predicted for Bhakkar, Layyah, and Dera Ghazi Khan districts on Nov. 15.
PDMA Punjab urged people to wear face masks as a precautionary measure against smog and not to venture out unnecessarily.
Seasonal crop burn-off by farmers on the outskirts of Lahore also contributed to toxic air, which the World Health Organization says can cause strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.
UK announces program to improve education access for over 250,000 Pakistani children
- With $25.2 million contribution over three years, program aims to support children in English, Math and Urdu
- Program to primarily focus on children from South Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, says British Council
ISLAMABAD: With a contribution of $25.2 million (Rs 7.2 billion) over three years, the United Kingdom hopes to provide over 250,000 Pakistani children better access to education, focusing primarily on the country’s eastern Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the British Council said on Wednesday.
Pakistan has an estimated 22.8 million out-of-school children, the second highest in the world, according to UNICEF. A majority of them, about 12.2 million, are girls who face cultural and social barriers preventing them from seeking formal education especially in rural areas.
Funded by the British High Commission in Pakistan and delivered by the British Council, the service delivery component of Girls and Out of School Children’s Action for Learning (GOAL) program, “Khilo aur Barho” will see children receive support with their Urdu, Math and English subjects. The five-year program, from January 2023 to December 2027, aims to build more inclusive provincial education systems delivering quality education in KP and Punjab.
“The UK is set to help over 250,000 children in Pakistan access better education,” the British High Commission said in a statement. “Through the service delivery component of Girls and Out of School Children’s Action for Learning (GOAL) program, Khilo aur Barho, the UK’s £20 million contribution will help break down barriers to education, enhance literacy and numeracy skills, and strengthen a resilient and effective education system in Pakistan over the next three years.”
It added that 10 percent of the participants would be children with disabilities while 20 percent will comprise from marginalized groups.
“This support will focus on their ability, rather than their age, helping them to catch up on these subjects quicker,” the statement said.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said Pakistan was facing an “education emergency” with $26.2 million children out of school.
“This targeted support will make sure some of the most vulnerable children in the country don’t fall behind,” she said. “The UK is already a significant supporter of education in Pakistan, supporting over 4.5 million children across Pakistan to access a decent education over the past 10 years.”
Pakistan’s Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said his ministry is focused on facilitating each of the provinces to connect with international and local partners to fight learning poverty in every district, with a special focus on lagging districts.
“I am hoping that GOAL will show how you deliver that successfully in 14 most challenging districts. We will stand ready to help in every way to make it a success,” he said.
In 2022, the UK had donated $160 million (Rs45.76 billion) to support women’s education in Pakistan.
According to WorldMetrics, Pakistan’s literacy rate stood at 59 percent, while the country grapples with the challenge of 23 million out-of-school children.
The government’s spending on education remains low, at just 2.8 percent of GDP, contributing to poor infrastructure, limited access to quality education and a shortage of trained teachers, particularly in rural areas.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi reclaims number 1 spot in ODI bowler rankings
- Shaheen Afridi took eight wickets in three matches against Australia at 12.62 average this month
- Pacer Haris Rauf rises to career-best number 13 as ex-captain Babar Azam remains top ODI-ranked batter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s left arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi reclaimed his number one spot in the ICC ODI Bowler Rankings, the cricket governing body announced on Wednesday, after a successful tour against world champions Australia this year.
Afridi regained his place as the top bowler in the 50-over cricket format after he took eight wickets across three matches against Australia in the ODI series that concluded last week. Afridi, who recorded an impressive average of 12.62 during the three matches, helped Pakistan secure a 2-1 series win against the 2023 world champions. This was Pakistan’s first series win against Australia since 2002.
The achievement helped Afridi move up three places and take the premier position from South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj, who was pushed down two spots to number three while Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan remains in second place.
“Pakistan have received a boost just months out from the start of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy with news that pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi has re-claimed the No.1 ranking on the latest ICC Men’s ODI Bowler Rankings,” the ICC said in a report.
Afridi has previously first held the number one bowler ranking midway through last year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.
Meanwhile, fellow Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf improved 14 places to secure the number 13 spot, reaching a new career-high rating. Rauf was awarded Player of the Series against Australia after taking 10 wickets against the 2023 champions.
“Afridi’s rise to the top means Pakistan now have the top-ranked player in both batting and bowling in ODI cricket, with former skipper Babar Azam increasing his lead at the top of the batter charts following 80 runs against Australia when dismissed just once,” the ICC said.
Pakistan will play their first of three T20I matches against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday.
