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Imam of Prophet’s Mosque arrives in Pakistan on seven-day visit

Imam of Prophet’s Mosque arrives in Pakistan on seven-day visit
Imam of Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair, arrives in Islamabad on August 8, 2024. (Minister for Religious Affairs)
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Updated 08 August 2024
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Imam of Prophet’s Mosque arrives in Pakistan on seven-day visit

Imam of Prophet’s Mosque arrives in Pakistan on seven-day visit
  • Al-Masjid an-Nabawi holds profound historical significance in Islam, with its prayer leaders deeply respected
  • Sheikh Al-Budair will lead the Friday prayers at Faisal Mosque, meet top government functionaries
Updated 08 August 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR
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ISLAMABAD: The prayer leader of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair, arrived on a seven-day visit to Pakistan on Thursday, where he is scheduled to meet top government officials and lead the Friday prayers in the federal capital.
The mosque, more popularly known as Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, holds profound historical and spiritual significance in Islam, having been built by the first Muslim community under the supervision of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
It is also his last resting place, making the imams of this sacred mosque deeply respected across the Muslim world and widely viewed as embodiments of religious devotion and scholarly wisdom.
“The Imam of Masjid Al-Nabawi, Sheikh Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair, has arrived in Pakistan on a seven-day goodwill visit,” Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry announced in a statement. “Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki and Secretary of Religious Affairs Zulfiqar Haider welcomed the distinguished guest.”
“The Imam of Masjid Al-Nabawi will lead the Friday prayers at Faisal Mosque,” the statement added. “Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair will also meet with the president, prime minister and other leaders in the country.”
Pakistan has been frequently visited by the prayer leader of the Grand Mosque in Makkah in the past.
These visits, along with high-level official exchanges, have played a significant role in strengthening the relations between the two countries.
Saudi religious scholars, such as the prayer leaders of the two holy mosques, have fostered closer ties between the two countries, with many of them often taking a special interest in Islamic education and religious institutions in Pakistan.
Sheikh Al-Budair is also scheduled to meet prominent Pakistani scholars and visit universities.
His stay in the country is also expected to further strengthen religious and cultural connections between the two nations.

Topics: Madinah General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque Pakistan Saudi Ties Dr. Salah bin Muhammad Al-Budair

Top official of ex-PM Khan party resurfaces in provincial assembly session after going missing in Islamabad

Top official of ex-PM Khan party resurfaces in provincial assembly session after going missing in Islamabad
Updated 06 October 2024
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Top official of ex-PM Khan party resurfaces in provincial assembly session after going missing in Islamabad

Top official of ex-PM Khan party resurfaces in provincial assembly session after going missing in Islamabad
  • Ali Amin Gandapur, who heads the government of Khan's party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, went missing after leading thousands of Khan supporters to Islamabad
  • In a surprise turn of events, CM Gandapur resurfaced during a session of the KP assembly on Sunday evening amid cheers and applause from members of House
Updated 06 October 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Ali Amin Gandapur, a key official of former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party, resurfaced during a session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial assembly on Sunday, after having gone missing during his party’s protest in Islamabad a day ago.

Gandapur, who heads the government of Khan’s party in KP, went missing after leading thousands of Khan supporters to the Pakistani capital to protest the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that the PTI claims are aimed at curtailing the independence of the judiciary, the government denies this. The PTI also aimed to mount pressure for the release of its leader who is in jail since August last year.

Mystery continued to surround the whereabouts of Gandapur on Sunday as the PTI protest entered its third day, with at least one policeman killed in clashes and almost 900 demonstrators arrested. The PTI alleged that CM Gandapur had been “kidnapped,” while Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi denied the PTI’s claims that the KP chief minister had been abducted by the Islamabad police or intelligence agencies.

In a surprise turn of events, Chief Minister Gandapur resurfaced during a session of the KP assembly on Sunday evening, amid cheers and applause from members of the House. Shortly afterward, he launched into a fiery speech in which he criticized the federal authorities for the road blockades and “torture” to prevent Khan supporters from entering Islamabad.

“We were protesting peacefully, they blocked the roads and tortured the workers,” he said. “Worst violence and shelling was done in Pathargarh, Burhan and other places. They used to say that we could not reach the D-Chowk [in Islamabad], but we reached there. Our protest was not a sit-in, we recorded the protest successfully.”

The KP chief minister accused the Islamabad Inspector-General Ali Nasir Rizvi of “attacking” the KP House, the provincial administration office in Islamabad where Gandapur had arrived on Saturday, with the help of police and paramilitary Rangers.

“When I reached KP House, IG Islamabad entered the KP House with police and Rangers. KP House is part of the KP province, the attack on it was an attack on the province,” he said. “IG Islamabad broke the windows of government vehicles and damaged property. He must be made accountable for damaging KP government property.”

Clashes erupted in Islamabad and nearby cities on Friday and Saturday as police tried to prevent Khan supporters protesters from entering the Pakistani capital, with federal officials accusing protesters accompanying Gandapur of firing tear gas at police. They said Gandapur was accompanied by serving police officers as well as heavy machinery to remove road blockades.

Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Naqvi said CM Gandapur was on the run and the Islamabad police would “deal with him as per law as they are definitely searching for him.”

Pakistan’s federal government has also constituted an inquiry committee to probe the use of resources of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government for this week’s protest in Islamabad by Khan’s party, the Pakistani interior ministry said on Sunday.

Khan’s party says it is facing an over-year-long crackdown since protesters allegedly linked to the PTI attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after the former premier’s brief arrest the same day in a land graft case.

Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military, which says Khan and his party were behind the attacks, has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.

Khan, who has been in jail since last August, was ousted from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military, which denies being involved in politics.

Topics: Ali Amin Gandapur PTI Imran Khan

Thousands rally in Karachi to protest one year of Israeli invasion of Gaza

Thousands rally in Karachi to protest one year of Israeli invasion of Gaza
Updated 06 October 2024
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Thousands rally in Karachi to protest one year of Israeli invasion of Gaza

Thousands rally in Karachi to protest one year of Israeli invasion of Gaza
  • The rally, organized by Jamaat-e-Islami religious party, was attended by a significant number of women and children
  • Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed over 41,800 Palestinians since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israeli
Updated 06 October 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: Thousands rallied on Sunday in Pakistan’s commercial capital of Karachi to protest one year of Israeli invasion of Gaza, calling for an end to the Palestinian “genocide.”
The rally, organized by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) religious party and supported by the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and other organizations in the Sindh province, called on the international community to immediately stop Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people.
The war in Gaza broke out after Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7 last year, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people, according to official Israeli figures. Israel launched a blistering military campaign in Gaza that has since killed 41,825 people, the Palestinian health ministry says.
“A genocide of Palestinians is ongoing at the hands of Israel, with thousands killed in Israeli strikes that have persisted for the past year,” JI chief Naeem-ur-Rehman said, while addressing the rally that was also attended by a significant number of women and children.
“We condemn Israel for its inhumane behavior, brutalities and plans for expansion. The Israeli leadership has once again revealed its expansionist agenda, presenting a new map that challenges the sovereignty of various countries, while the United Nations has failed to intervene.”
Rehman paid a tribute to the people of Gaza for their steadfastness in the face of Israeli brutality and “crimes against humanity,” asserting: “This is a legitimate struggle according to the United Nations charter.”
PPP’s Nisar Khuhro condemned Israeli strikes on Gaza and called on the global community and the UN to “act responsibly.”
“This gathering sends a powerful message to the Muslim world as well, warning that if a joint strategy is not developed, Muslim countries may face attacks one after another,” he said.
Bushra Abdul Ghafoor, a student at the rally, expressed her solidarity with the Palestinians, saying that the gathering in Karachi would not go unnoticed.
“As a Muslim nation, we must support each other,” she said.
Iqra Khan, another participant, emphasized the need for unity among the Muslim world.
“Our aim is to achieve the liberation of Palestine as they face significant oppression,” she told Arab News. “God willing, this struggle will continue until Palestine is free.”
Speaking to Arab News, PPP leader Waqar Mehdi called on the Muslim world and all nations to oppose the atrocities committed by Israel in Palestine.
“Jamaat-e-Islami is holding a significant rally and we stand in solidarity with them,” he said.
Aamir Nawaz Warraich, president of the Karachi Bar Association, said the Pakistani legal community’s position on the Palestine issue was clear and the attacks and atrocities against the Palestinians must be stopped.
“All international stakeholders — whether from England, America, Germany, or elsewhere — should play their roles in ending this situation,” he said.
Warraich lamented the “inadequate response” from the global legal forums on the Palestinian “genocide.”
“If they do not take action, they will be complicit in this oppression, as everything is occurring under their watch,” he added.
 

Topics: Gaza Palestine Israel JI Pakistan Karachi Arab News Pakistan

Indian women notch cautious 6-wicket win over archrival Pakistan at T20 World Cup

Indian women notch cautious 6-wicket win over archrival Pakistan at T20 World Cup
Updated 06 October 2024
AP
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Indian women notch cautious 6-wicket win over archrival Pakistan at T20 World Cup

Indian women notch cautious 6-wicket win over archrival Pakistan at T20 World Cup
  • Pakistan was stifled by fast bowler Arundhati Reddy (3-19) and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil (2-12) to score a modest 105-8
  • India reached 108-4 in 18.5 overs as captain Harmanpreet Kaur made a calm 29 off 24 balls before retiring hurt late in the chase
Updated 06 October 2024
AP

DUBAI: India notched a cautious six-wicket win over its sub-continent archrival Pakistan for its first points at the Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday.
Pakistan was stifled by fast bowler Arundhati Reddy (3-19) and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil (2-12) to score a modest 105-8 on a slow wicket at the Dubai International Stadium with seasoned Nida Dar top-scoring with 28 off 34 balls.
India, which lost its first group A game against New Zealand by 58 runs, reached 108-4 in 18.5 overs as captain Harmanpreet Kaur made a calm 29 off 24 balls before retiring hurt late in the chase.
With only two needed for victory Kaur briefly lost her balance but regained her ground as wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali missed a stumping opportunity. Kaur clutched the back of her neck as she walked back to the dug out before Sajeevan Sajana reached the target with a boundary.
Despite the win, India is still fourth in the group with a poor net run-rate of -1.217 behind third place Pakistan, which beat Sri Lanka in its opening game and has a net run-rate of 0.555. New Zealand and Australia occupy the first two spots after winning their respective opening group games.
India had squeezed Pakistan to 7-71 in the 15th over despite Asha Sobhana dropping two easy catches off Muneeba Ali (17) and captain Fatima Sana (13). Muneeba’s struggling knock of 26 balls finally ended when she got stumped off Patil’s wide ball.
Sana smashed two boundaries but was brilliantly snapped by wicketkeeper Richa Gosh, who plucked a one-handed catch over her head behind the wicket to give some consolation to leg-spinner Sobhana (1-24) for her early lapse in the field.
Dar held the innings together in the death overs with a 28-run partnership with Syeda Aroob Shah, who scored 14, before Reddy had Dar clean bowled in the final over.
India’s batting powerhouse was over-cautious against Pakistan’s spin heavy bowling attack in their run-chase. Shafali Verma, who top-scored with 32 off 35 balls, successfully overturned a leg before wicket decision against her through television referral early in her knock but India’s top-order batters struck only five boundaries in their entire run-chase.
Sana (2-23) picked up two late wickets off successive balls when Jemimah Rodrigues (23) and Gosh both were caught behind. Sana came close to have Deepti Sharma lbw in her final over but the onfield decision was overturned by the third umpire when TV replays suggested the batter had got a thick inside edge.
In the second game of the day, Scotland won the toss and elected to bat against West Indies in a group B game with both teams looking for their first win in the tournament after losing their opening games of the tournament.

Topics: India v Pakistan Cricket Women’s T20 World Cup Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Center sets up panel to probe use of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial resources for Islamabad protest

Center sets up panel to probe use of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial resources for Islamabad protest
Updated 06 October 2024
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Center sets up panel to probe use of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial resources for Islamabad protest

Center sets up panel to probe use of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial resources for Islamabad protest
  • Ex-PM Khan supporters this week marched toward Islamabad from different parts of the country, mainly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where his party rules
  • Clashes erupted between Khan supporters and police when they were prevented from entering capital, with one cop killed and dozens of others injured
Updated 06 October 2024
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government has constituted an inquiry committee to probe the use of resources of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government for this week’s protest by former prime minister Imran Khan’s party in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, the Pakistani interior ministry said on Sunday.
Supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Friday marched toward Islamabad from different parts of the country, mainly the neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, to protest the government’s proposed constitutional amendments that it claims are aimed at curtailing the independence of the judiciary, the government denies this. They also aimed to mount pressure for the release of their leader who is in jail since August last year.
Clashes erupted as police tried to prevent the protesters from entering the Pakistani capital, with federal officials accusing KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of firing tear gas at police while leading caravans of protesters from the neighboring province ruled by the PTI. They said Gandapur was accompanied by serving police officers as well as heavy machinery to remove road blockades.
“An inquiry committee is hereby constituted to probe the use of government resources and manpower by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in the rally, for sit-in at Islamabad, by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on 4th and 5th October 2024,” the Pakistani interior ministry said in a notification.

A supporter of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), throws back a tear gas shell during an anti-government rally in Islamabad, Pakistan, October 5, 2024. (REUTERS)

The three-member committee comprises Additional Interior Secretary Riffat Mukhtar, Additional Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Munir Masood Marath, and a representative of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), according to the notification.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday evening and praised him, the Islamabad administration, and police for maintaining law and order in the capital, despite two days of clashes that killed at least one policeman and injured dozens of others, and prompted authorities to seal almost all roads and suspend mobile phone services.
Federal authorities said on Sunday they had rounded up nearly 900 protesters, while there had been no clue of the whereabouts of CM Gandapur, who led thousands to Islamabad, since arriving in the capital on Saturday. The PTI said Gandapur had been “kidnapped,” and that police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at its supporters in “excessive” use of force.
Khan’s party says it is facing an over-year-long crackdown since protesters allegedly linked to the PTI attacked and damaged government and military installations on May 9, 2023, after the former premier’s brief arrest the same day in a land graft case.
Hundreds of PTI followers and leaders were arrested following the riots and many remain behind bars as they await trial. The military, which says Khan and his party were behind the attacks, has also initiated army court trials of at least 103 people accused of involvement in the violence.
Khan, who has been in jail since last August, was ousted from the PM’s office in 2022 in a parliamentary vote of no confidence after what is widely believed to be a falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military, which denies being involved in politics.

Topics: Imran Khan PTI police KP

Over 50 Pakistanis imprisoned in Sri Lanka due to return home today

Over 50 Pakistanis imprisoned in Sri Lanka due to return home today
Updated 06 October 2024
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Over 50 Pakistanis imprisoned in Sri Lanka due to return home today

Over 50 Pakistanis imprisoned in Sri Lanka due to return home today
  • The return of these Pakistani prisoners follows months of diplomatic negotiations between Pakistani and Sri Lankan authorities
  • Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi spearheaded the effort, while Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan announced bearing all expenses
Updated 06 October 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: More than 50 Pakistanis, who had been imprisoned in Sri Lanka, were due to return home on Sunday, Pakistani state media reported.

The return of these Pakistani prisoners follows months of diplomatic negotiations between Pakistani and Sri Lankan authorities.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi spearheaded the efforts to secure their release, while Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan announced bearing all expenses in this regard.

“A chartered flight has left for Sri Lanka to bring the Pakistani prisoners back,” the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

Naqvi expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan government and the high commissioner for their support in this regard, according to the report.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Ravindra Chandra Srivijay Gunaratne met Naqvi in July and discussed with him matters of mutual interest, including the release of Pakistani nationals imprisoned in Sri Lanka.

A total of 23,456 Pakistani citizens are imprisoned in various countries, local media reported, citing the Pakistani Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights.

Of them, 15,587 have been convicted of different offenses and 7,869 are under-trial.

Topics: Pakistan Sri Lanka Ties Sri Lanka

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