You are here

  • Home
  • Pakistan PM to attend Arab-Islamic Summit meeting on Gaza and Lebanon today

Pakistan PM to attend Arab-Islamic Summit meeting on Gaza and Lebanon today

Update Pakistan PM to attend Arab-Islamic Summit meeting on Gaza and Lebanon today
A displaced Palestinian woman walks near tents in the al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on November 10, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Hamas group. (AFP)
Short Url

https://arab.news/8kjqf

Updated 11 November 2024
Follow

Pakistan PM to attend Arab-Islamic Summit meeting on Gaza and Lebanon today

Pakistan PM to attend Arab-Islamic Summit meeting on Gaza and Lebanon today
  • PM Sharif to meet Muslim World League secretary-general, Saudi investment minister on sidelines of summit
  • Pakistan has consistently criticized Israel for killing over 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October last year
Updated 11 November 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR
Follow

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will participate in the extraordinary Arab–Islamic summit meeting between the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) scheduled to be held today, Monday, in the Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss Israel’s ongoing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and escalating tensions in the Middle East. 
Sharif arrived in Riyadh on Sunday night to join various Muslim leaders in the Saudi capital who will attend the summit. Israel has waged war in Gaza since October last year, killing over 43,000 people and rendering the strip of land almost uninhabitable. Last month, it also invaded Lebanon, killing 3,000 people there since.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will attend the extraordinary summit meeting of the Arab-Islamic countries today,” a statement from Sharif’s office said. 
It added that the prime minister is expected to meet Saudi Arabia’s investment minister and the secretary-general of the Muslim World League on the sidelines of the summit. 




In this handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan’s Press Information Department on November 11, 2024, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz at the Royal terminal of Riyadh International Airport in Riyad on November 10, 2024, ahead of the Arab–Islamic summit in Saudi capital to discuss Israel's ongoing wars in Gaza, Lebanon and the Middle East situation. (Photo courtesy: PMO)

The summit today will be a follow-up to the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit held in November 2023 in Riyadh, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry. Sharif will reiterate Pakistan’s full support to the Palestinian cause in his address at the gathering.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, attended a meeting of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Riyadh, wherein he called on the world to hold Israel accountable for its “war crimes” in Gaza.
“[Dar] expressed alarm at Israeli adventurism in the Middle East that is endangering peace and security in the region,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement. “[He] called on the international community to bring an end to Gaza genocide.”
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.”
Islamabad has also 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.
After attending the summit on Monday, the Pakistani prime minister will visit Baku, Azerbaijan on Tuesday to participate in a two-day World Leaders Climate Action Summit being held as part of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference.
“The prime minister will make a robust call for climate solidarity and climate justice, based on the established principles of equity,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.

Topics: Arab-Islamic summit War on Gaza

Pakistan’s UN envoy calls for end to Israel’s ‘genocidal war’ in Gaza

Pakistan’s UN envoy calls for end to Israel’s ‘genocidal war’ in Gaza
Updated 1 min 32 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan’s UN envoy calls for end to Israel’s ‘genocidal war’ in Gaza

Pakistan’s UN envoy calls for end to Israel’s ‘genocidal war’ in Gaza
  • Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israel’s military campaign since last year has killed more than 44,500 Palestinians
  • Israel launched its air and ground war in Gaza after Hamas fighters attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7
Updated 1 min 32 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, has reiterated the country’s demand for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza at the UN General Assembly, calling on the body to take steps to end Israel’s ‘genocidal war’ on the besieged enclave. 

Israel launched its air and ground war in Gaza after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli communities across the border on Oct. 7 last year, killing 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says that Israel’s military campaign since then has killed more than 44,500 Palestinians and injured many others.

“At the United Nations, Pakistan has underscored urgent need to put an end to Israel’s genocidal war in besieged Gaza enclave,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said on Friday. “Speaking at UN General Assembly, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Munir Akram stressed the need to consider steps needed to prevent realization of Israeli extremists’ dark vision.”

The world has witnessed the “indiscriminate slaughter” of the Palestinian population of Gaza for over 400 days, Munir added, calling on the UNGA to exercise its responsibility to demand an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and implement several resolutions on the conflict by the UN Security Council and General Assembly.

Pakistan currently does not recognize the state of Israel over its thwarting of Palestinians’ aspirations for a state of their own. Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the Sinai peninsula and the Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights in the 1967 Middle East war. 

Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future free state, a demand Pakistan has supported for decades.

Topics: Pakistan at UNGA Ambassador Munir Akram War in Gaza

In a first, Pakistan stock market crosses 109,000 points on Saudi deposit rollover, upbeat indicators

In a first, Pakistan stock market crosses 109,000 points on Saudi deposit rollover, upbeat indicators
Updated 54 min 29 sec ago
Follow

In a first, Pakistan stock market crosses 109,000 points on Saudi deposit rollover, upbeat indicators

In a first, Pakistan stock market crosses 109,000 points on Saudi deposit rollover, upbeat indicators
  • The benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 799 points, or 0.74 percent, to hit a record high of 109,478 points
  • The development came a day after Saudi Arabia extended term of its $3 billion deposit for a year
Updated 54 min 29 sec ago
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday crossed 109,000 points for the first time in its history as the bullish sentiment prevailed at the market, analysts said, a day after Saudi Arabia rolled over $3 billion deposit with Pakistan and amid improving macroeconomic indicators.
The benchmark KSE-100 index surged by 799 points, or 0.74 percent, at around 3pm on Friday to hit a record high of 109,478 points during the intraday trade.
Ahsan Mehanti, chief executive officer of Arif Habib Commodities, attributed the euphoria to the rollover of Saudi deposit, a stable rupee and upbeat economic indicators.
“Stocks bullish trend was led by selected scrips, led by oil and banking sector, amid speculation ahead of SBP [State Bank of Pakistan] key policy rate announcement next week,” he told Arab News.
Saudi authorities extended the $3 billion financial support to Islamabad in November 2021 to shore up Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves. The Kingdom rolled over the deposit in 2022 and 2023 as Pakistan faced an economic crisis.
The South Asian country slashed interest rates by 250 basis points in November to help revive a sluggish economy, amid a major drop in the annual inflation rate.
On Thursday, the PSX posted its third largest single-day gain, adding 3,135 points, or 2.98 percent, to the KSE-100 index to close at 108,239 points.
According to a poll conducted by Topline Securities, 71 percent of participants expect the central bank to announce a minimum rate cut of 200bps later this month.

Topics: Pakistan economy Pakistan Stock Exchange Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)

Pakistan to export skilled manpower to Bahrain’s construction sector

Pakistan to export skilled manpower to Bahrain’s construction sector
Updated 06 December 2024
Follow

Pakistan to export skilled manpower to Bahrain’s construction sector

Pakistan to export skilled manpower to Bahrain’s construction sector
  • The Gulf market absorbs around 77 percent of Pakistan’s labor force
  • Pakistan has exported over 12.7 million people to 50 countries since 1971
Updated 06 December 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, will start exporting skilled and unskilled manpower to work in the construction sector in Bahrain, state news agency APP reported on Friday. 

The Gulf market absorbs around 77 percent of Pakistan’s labor force. The main destinations for Pakistani workers are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.

The Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BEOE) said in 2023 Pakistan aimed to increase its manpower exports to one million per annum. The South Asian country has exported over 12.7 million people to about 50 countries since 1971, official data shows.

The OEC is already facilitating the export of Pakistani manpower to over 40 countries around the world and will be collecting applications and documents until Dec. 18 for those interested in working in Bahrain’s construction sector.

“Interested candidates could apply for the following job position including Laboratory Manager, with BSc Engineering / B-Tech / Graduation / DAE Civil; Minimum 15 years of experience with relevant 5 years of experience,” APP reported.

Other positions open include laboratory technicians with a three-years diploma in Associate Engineering or at least a college degree in the science field

Interested applicants can apply via OEC’s website https://oec.gov.pk/ 

Topics: Pakistan Bahrain Ties

Pakistani IT minister confirms amendments to cybercrime law to curb ‘fake news, misinformation’

Pakistani IT minister confirms amendments to cybercrime law to curb ‘fake news, misinformation’
Updated 06 December 2024
Follow

Pakistani IT minister confirms amendments to cybercrime law to curb ‘fake news, misinformation’

Pakistani IT minister confirms amendments to cybercrime law to curb ‘fake news, misinformation’
  • Reports earlier suggested the government plans to establish new authority under the law with powers to block online content, social media access
  • Official says Internet may experience delays due to proposed licensing of private networks, but there is no intention to hinder Internet performance
Updated 06 December 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s state minister for information technology, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has confirmed the Pakistani government is reviewing amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to curb “fake news” and “online misinformation,” the Senate Secretariat said on Thursday.

This is the first time that an official has confirmed changes to the cybercrime law since reports emerged this month that the government was planning to introduce changes to PECA that would see the formation of a new authority with powers to block online content and access to social media as well as prosecuting those propagating “fake news.” The amendments propose up to five-year imprisonment or fine extending to Rs1 million ($3,600) or both for anyone who “intentionally” posts false information online to create “a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest.”

Passed in 2016 by the then government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party, the law was originally enacted to combat various forms of cybercrime, including cyber terrorism, unauthorized access, electronic fraud and online harassment, but it has variously been used to crackdown on journalists, bloggers and other critics of the state.

On Thursday, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication held a meeting, at which committee chairperson, Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, expressed concerns over persistent Internet disruptions in the South Asian country. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders from the IT and telecom sectors.

“Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima, who also briefed the Committee, reassured members that the government was actively addressing the issues surrounding IT infrastructure,” the Senate Secretariat said.

“She confirmed that amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PICA) were under review to address concerns related to fake news and online misinformation, but clarified that these measures were not intended to restrict the Internet itself.”

The development comes as millions of Pakistanis continue to face a mysterious months-long Internet slowdown that has drawn backlash from activists and business leaders. The Pakistani government has previously blamed a surge in the use of VPNs and damaged underwater cables for the slowdown, whilst also admitting that the country was “undergoing a transition.”

Hafeez-ur-Rehman, chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) that regulates Internet in the country, said there was no government policy to intentionally slow down Internet services.

“While the Internet may experience delays due to issues related to the proposed licensing of Private Network (PN) services, there is no intention from the government to hinder overall Internet performance,” Rehman was quoted as saying by the Senate Secretariat.

“The PTA plans to introduce the licensing process for VPN services starting January 1, 2025, which officials believe will streamline network management.”

Topics: cybercrimes law fake news Pakistan IT minister

Pakistan’s jailed former PM Imran Khan threatens civil disobedience movement

Pakistan’s jailed former PM Imran Khan threatens civil disobedience movement
Updated 06 December 2024
Reuters
Follow

Pakistan’s jailed former PM Imran Khan threatens civil disobedience movement

Pakistan’s jailed former PM Imran Khan threatens civil disobedience movement
  • Ex-PM demands probe into crackdown on the Nov 25 protest march which he says killed 12 supporters
  • In a post on X, Khan asks supporters to converge on December 13 in the northwestern city of Peshawar
Updated 06 December 2024
Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has called on his supporters to hold a rally next week and threatened to start a civil disobedience movement days after his party led a deadly protest march in Islamabad.
In a post on X on Thursday, Khan asked supporters to converge on Dec. 13 in the northwestern city of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which is ruled by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
He demanded a judicial probe into the crackdown on the Nov 25 protest march which he said killed at least 12 of his supporters and violence on May 9 last year which killed 8. All arrested political workers should also be released, he said.
“If these two demands are not met, a civil disobedience movement will start from December 14, and the government will be held responsible for any consequences,” Khan said.
The government denies any deaths during the Nov 25 protest march, and says that Khan’s supporters had attacked military installations on May 9 last year.
Khan was indicted on Thursday on charges of directing the May 9 attacks, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The indictment was the latest in dozens of cases against the 72-year-old former cricket star, who has been in jail since late last year.
He and his party say the cases were made up to keep him out of politics at the behest of the military after he had fallen out with the army’s generals ahead of his 2022 ouster.

Topics: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan PTI protest PTI protests

Latest updates

London’s Muslim mayor set for knighthood: Report
London’s Muslim mayor set for knighthood: Report
The Emirati officials putting safety at the heart of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
The Emirati officials putting safety at the heart of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Police prevent Indian Punjabi farmers marching to Delhi to demand better prices
Police prevent Indian Punjabi farmers marching to Delhi to demand better prices
North Gaza hospital director says Israeli strikes hit facility
North Gaza hospital director says Israeli strikes hit facility
UN says Syria fighting has displaced 280,000 so far
UN says Syria fighting has displaced 280,000 so far

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2024 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.