ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhary Salik Hussain on Saturday called for interfaith and intercultural dialogue to address growing intolerance worldwide and the challenges posed by militancy in Muslim states during a meeting with Egypt’s Grand Mufti, Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayad.
Pakistan has made a conscious effort to promote religious pluralism and faith-based tourism in recent years, welcoming Buddhist monks as well as Hindu and Sikh devotees from India and beyond. However, the country continues to grapple with significant challenges, as religious minorities often complain of discrimination and marginalization.
The Pakistani minister’s meeting with Egypt’s grand mufti in Islamabad also sought the “eradication of terrorism, sectarianism, and the establishment of peace,” according to a statement released by the ministry.
“In light of the challenges and circumstances that Muslim countries are currently facing, there is a need to promote religious harmony, tolerance, and unity,” it continued. “There is an urgent need for dialogue between religions and cultures to establish peace in the world. An attitude of tolerance and respect is an essential component of Islamic teachings.”
Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation to foster religious harmony, peace, and tolerance globally. They also decided to enhance economic, trade, and cultural ties.
The grand mufti highlighted the Muslim world’s struggles against militant violence, suggesting joint efforts to combat extremism.
He reiterated his country’s plan to establish a campus of Al-Azhar University, one of the world’s oldest centers of Islamic education, in Pakistan.
He also proposed that Pakistani scholars visit Egypt to benefit from the institution’s teachings and expertise.
Pakistan’s religious affairs minister meets Egypt’s grand mufti, stresses need for interfaith dialogue
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Pakistan’s religious affairs minister meets Egypt’s grand mufti, stresses need for interfaith dialogue
- Both officials seek eradication of militant violence and sectarianism for the establishment of peace
- They also agree that the two countries should focus on enhancing economic, trade and cultural ties
New-look Pakistan squad announced for West Indies Test series
- Pakistan will host West Indies for the first time in 19 years, with both Tests held in Multan
- Shan Masood is retained as skipper despite Pakistan losing both the Tests in South Africa
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan selectors Saturday recalled opener Imam-ul-Haq in a new look squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies starting next week.
The 29-year old Imam has played 24 Tests for Pakistan but was dropped over poor form after a 3-0 defeat in Australia early last year.
The selectors have also named three uncapped players in opener Muhammad Hurraira, wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir and pacer Kashif Ali on the back of their good performances in domestic matches.
Pakistan will host the visitors for the first time in 19 years, with both Tests held in Multan, starting from January 17 and January 25.
Shan Masood is retained as skipper despite Pakistan losing both the Tests in South Africa last week.
Besides Masood, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, and Salman Ali Agha kept their places from the South Africa series.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed have been recalled to partner with left-arm spinner Noman Ali.
Noman and Sajid took 29 wickets in Pakistan’s 2-1 win over England last year.
Injured opener Saim Ayub is also left out of the Pakistan squad for the West Indies Tests.
Squad: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha.
Efforts underway to free atomic energy workers held by Pakistani Taliban — police
- TTP kidnapped more than a dozen Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission workers from Lakki Marwat this week
- Police say the militant network has presented demands that are being evaluated by officials and tribal elders
PESHAWAR/KARCHI: Police in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said on Saturday efforts were being made to secure the safe release of kidnapped workers of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) after a banned militant network released a video featuring some of them while listing demands for their release.
The Pakistani Taliban kidnapped more than a dozen workers of the sensitive government agency responsible for nuclear energy projects from the volatile Lakki Marwat district on Thursday.
Eight of them were later released through joint efforts by tribal elders amid a search operation conducted by police and security forces in the dense forest area where the militants had reportedly taken them.
While the government did not issue a statement on the incident, Shahid Marwat, a police spokesperson in the district, confirmed that a group of nearly 18 “civilians” working on “atomic and mining projects” had been kidnapped by armed gunmen. The militants later shared their credentials on social media, identifying them as PAEC employees.
Speaking to Arab News on Saturday, Marwat said the militants had made demands for the release of the abductees, adding that local elders and officials from security forces and the district administration were holding meetings to ensure their safe release.
“Local elders and police and security officials are evaluating the kidnappers’ demands,” he said. “Efforts are on to secure their safe release at the earliest. So far, officials are busy tackling the issue through negotiations.”
Asked if the video released by the Pakistani Taliban, also known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), featured the kidnapped PAEC workers, he responded affirmatively.
In the video, a man flanked by two others mentions the date, saying: “Today, it is 11th January 2025; this is our third consecutive day in the [Pakistani] Taliban captivity.”
“Day before yesterday, reports emerged that the mujahideen [freedom fighters] had released ‘these people,’ while the reality is that even right now, 10 of us are in their custody.”
He then read out the TTP demands, requesting the government to “immediately” accept them.
The demands included the release of militants arrested in Lakki Marwat, the release of families of militants allegedly in government custody, a commitment not to demolish the homes of militants and their relatives in the future, and compensation for the homes already demolished.
Lakki Marwat is situated on the edge of Pakistan’s northwestern tribal districts bordering Afghanistan, where the TTP has frequently targeted security force convoys and check-posts, in addition to engaging in targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
Pakistan, China reaffirm commitment to ‘CPEC 2.0’ focusing on industrialization
- Since 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funneled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan
- CPEC 2.0 will focus on industrialization and special economic zones as well as on clean energy, agriculture and livelihood projects
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have resolved to undertake high-quality of development of a second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC 2.0, that would focus on industrialization, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
The statement came after a 5th meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination (JWG-ICC) was held in Beijing. It was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.
China and Pakistan enjoy a close strategic partnership, with the latter’s location on the Arabian Sea providing Beijing an overland route toward the Gulf of Aden and onto the Suez Canal, and enabling Chinese ships to avoid the potential chokepoint of the Malacca Strait.
During the delegation level talks, the two sides reviewed with satisfaction the progress made since the 4th meeting of the JWG-ICC held in Islamabad in January 2024, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the high quality development of CPEC 2.0, with its emphasis on industrialization and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as well as on clean energy, agriculture and livelihood projects,” it said in a statement.
“The meeting also acknowledged the pivotal role of CPEC in promoting regional connectivity, win-win cooperation and common prosperity, including through partnerships with other countries.”
Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funneled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan. But the undertaking has been hit by Islamabad struggling to keep up its financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants.
During a visit to China in June last year, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced both countries had mutually decided to enhance economic cooperation that would enter its next phase with five new corridors.
The Chinese vice foreign minister said 2.0 would focus on growth, livelihood and innovation, and reinforce Pakistan’s national development framework centered on ‘5 Es,’ representing exports, e-Pakistan, energy, environment and equity.
Foreign Secretary Baloch described CPEC as the cornerstone of China-Pakistan economic cooperation as well as a “shining symbol” of the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Both sides expressed resolve to deepen cooperation in the fields of media, cultural exchanges and people-to-people linkages to accelerate the building of a “China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the New Era.”
Separately, both countries also held a 4th round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC), at which they reaffirmed commitment to further deepening their partnership.
The two sides also exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues and agreed to further enhance their mutual coordination and consultations, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
“Both sides agreed to further deepen their mutual partnerships in sectors such as information technology, agriculture and clean energy, driven by the concept of win-win cooperation and pursuit of people centric, inclusive development,” it said.
“The two sides underscored the need to strengthen their mutual coordination at the multilateral forums, including at the United Nations Security Council.”
Later, the foreign secretary also held a meeting with Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and exchanged views on Pakistan-China relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest.
Northwestern Pakistani province says 10 workers killed in coal mine collapse in country’s southwest
- The mine in Sanjdi coal field in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province collapsed after a methane gas explosion on Thursday
- Mines in Balochistan are known for hazardous working conditions and poor safety standards, where deadly incidents are not uncommon
ISLAMABAD: Ali Amin Gandapur, chief minister of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said on Saturday that 10 residents of his province were among 12 workers killed in a coal mine collapse in the country’s southwest.
The mine in the Sanjdi coal field in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province collapsed after a methane gas explosion on Thursday and a dozen miners were trapped inside it, according to the Balochistan mining department.
Rescue teams from the Balochistan mining department and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) recovered bodies of four miners on Friday, following an hours-long effort.
In a statement issued from his office, CM Gandapur said ten of the deceased miners hailed from the Shangla district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“We share the grief of the bereaved families,” the chief minister was quoted as saying by his office.
On Friday, Balochistan Chief Mines Inspector Abdul Ghani said the workers had been digging coal at 4,000 feet inside the mine, adding that the entire mine had caved in due to the intensity of the gas explosion.
“The mining department will conduct a thorough investigation to assess what kind of safety measures were put in place by the private mine owners,” he told Arab News.
Mines in Balochistan, which are operated by private companies under lease agreements with the government, are known for hazardous working conditions and poor safety standards, where deadly incidents are not uncommon.
At least 82 coal miners working on different projects were killed in Balochistan in 46 accidents last year, according to the Balochistan mining department.
Pakistan PM calls for global support to address girls’ education at Muslim communities conference
- The OIC chief expresses concern over the well being of Palestinian women facing Israeli aggression
- Pakistan invited Afghanistan to attend the two-day international event, but no one arrived from Kabul
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday urged international organizations and philanthropists to join hands to find sustainable solutions for the education of girls as Pakistan opened a two-day conference to discuss girls’ education among Muslim communities.
The global summit, which aims to find ways to advance girls’ education across the Muslim world, is being attended by over 150 dignitaries from 44 Muslim and other friendly states, according to Pakistan’s foreign office.
In his keynote address at the opening session, the prime minister said ensuring equitable access to education for girls is one of the most “pressing challenges” facing the world.
“I call upon both global and Pakistani organizations, philanthropists and entrepreneurs to join us in creating scalable and sustainable solutions for girls’ education,” he told the gathering.
“Over the next decade, millions of young girls will enter the job markets [so] as they do so, they have the potential not just to lift themselves, their families and their nations out of poverty, but also to enrich the global economy, create new markets and find innovative solutions to our shared challenges.”
The Pakistan premier thanked Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their support and patronage of the conference.
“The pursuit of knowledge is a sacred duty for every Muslim, regardless of gender, as emphasized by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him),” he said.
“His (PBUH) awe-inspiring message was preached in a society which was still in darkness and even in denial of the basic rights of women to exist in the world. In response to these great injustices, Islam introduced a transformative social paradigm.”
Sharif said the Muslim world, including Pakistan, faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls.
He said that women make up more than half of the total population in his country, yet the female literacy rate stands at only 49 percent and alarmingly, around 22.8 million children in the age bracket of five to 16 years are out of school, with a disproportionate number being girls.
“Denying education to girls is tantamount to denying them their voice and their choice, while depriving them of their right to a bright future,” he continued, highlighting various initiatives undertaken by his administration for the education of girls.
The Pakistan premier gave the examples of Fatimah Jinnah, sister of the country’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, along with Benazir Bhutto, first woman PM in the Muslim world, and Maryam Nawaz Sharif, first woman chief minister of a Pakistani province, saying they all inspired women participation in politics and socio-economic future of the country.
“History is witness to the determination and resilience of women who have thrived even within the limited spaces afforded to them, breaking the shackles of societal servitude and leaving an indelible mark on society,” he added.
Several dignitaries, including Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, Muslim World League Secretary-General Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Kareem Al Issa and Egyptian Grand Mufti Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayad attended event.
“We are very worried about the situation of women in Palestine who not only find themselves in a position where they cannot have education but are also facing financial problems and problems at their homes,” he said. “The international community must assume its responsibility and stop this [Israeli] aggression in the region and guarantee the humanitarian aid to reach Palestine.”
On Saturday, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai also reached Islamabad, saying she was “overwhelmed” to be back in her native country to discuss girls’ education.
Pakistan Army’s first female Lt. Gen. Nigar Johar also addressed the inaugural session of the conference, saying women must be given education and involved in the decision- and policy-making processes. She maintained that women’s education must be made an integral part of the national budget.
Pakistan’s education minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui told AFP the government had “extended an invitation to Afghanistan but no one from the Afghan government was at the conference.”
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, at least 1.4 million Afghan girls have been denied access to secondary education, according to a report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) released in August last year.
An “Islamabad Declaration” will be announced at the end of the conference on Sunday that would outline decisive steps to transform girls’ education in Islamic countries.
With additional comments from AFP
