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Pakistan religion ministry invites ‘practical suggestions’ from stakeholders before issuing Hajj 2025 policy 

Pakistan religion ministry invites ‘practical suggestions’ from stakeholders before issuing Hajj 2025 policy 
Muslim pilgrims pray around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on June 16, 2024, as they perform the farewell circumambulation or "tawaf", circling seven times around the large black cube, which is the focal point on the final day of the hajj. (AFP/File)
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Updated 30 July 2024
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Pakistan religion ministry invites ‘practical suggestions’ from stakeholders before issuing Hajj 2025 policy 

Pakistan religion ministry invites ‘practical suggestions’ from stakeholders before issuing Hajj 2025 policy 
  • Pakistan successfully concluded its post-Hajj 2024 operations on July 21, with nearly 160,000 Pakistanis performing the pilgrimage
  • Officials say the government Hajj scheme offered ‘excellent’ accommodation, transport, food and services to pilgrims this year
Updated 30 July 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has invited “practical suggestions” from stakeholders before the issuance of a policy for Hajj 2025, it said on Monday.
The statement came during a meeting of officials of the religious affairs ministry to review Pakistan’s arrangements for this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
The participants observed the official Hajj scheme offered “excellent” accommodation, intercity transport, food and services to pilgrims, according to the religious affairs ministry.
“In light of the last Hajj, practical suggestions should be prepared and submitted to the Hajj department for further improvement in the government scheme,” Religious Affairs Secretary Zulfiqar Haider was quoted as saying by the ministry.
Pakistan successfully concluded its post-Hajj 2024 operations on July 21. The annual Islamic pilgrimage was held from June 14 till June 19, with millions of pilgrims from all parts of the world performing the rituals.
Out of Pakistan’s total quota of 179,210 pilgrims, around 160,000 from the country performed Hajj this year through both the government scheme and private tour operators, according to the religious affairs ministry.
Pakistan’s national airline also announced in a statement it had concluded its post-Hajj operations on July 21.
“A total of 143 flights were operated in the post-Hajj operations out of which 61 went to Jeddah and 82 to Madinah,” the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said in a statement. “A total of 34,663 pilgrims returned to their homes after performing the rituals.”
Of these, 19,278 had performed Hajj under the government scheme and 14,754 through private tour operators, the airline added.

Topics: hajj Hajj 2025 Pakistan Saudi Ties

Pakistan PM unveils winter power relief package to cut electricity costs for consumers

Pakistan PM unveils winter power relief package to cut electricity costs for consumers
Updated 5 sec ago
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Pakistan PM unveils winter power relief package to cut electricity costs for consumers

Pakistan PM unveils winter power relief package to cut electricity costs for consumers
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif says the initiative will alleviate financial pressure on consumers, stimulate economic activity
  • Relief package will reduce tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial users for three months starting December
Updated 5 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday a three-month electricity relief package starting in December, aimed at reducing tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial consumers.

The announcement comes after the government faced widespread protests earlier this year over rising inflation and high electricity costs following the presentation of its first budget in June. Political parties urged the Sharif administration to renegotiate agreements with independent power producers to lower tariffs.

Pakistan’s manufacturing sector has also expressed concerns over the years due to the rising cost of electricity, saying the elevated power tariffs render national exports uncompetitive in the global market.

“The government has decided to offer an electricity relief package for the three winter months of December, January and February, providing substantial reductions in electricity prices for additional usage,” the prime minister said during a ceremony in Islamabad.

“Under this package, domestic consumers will pay a flat rate of Rs26.07 per unit for incremental electricity usage, resulting in savings of Rs11.42 to Rs26 per unit for household users,” he continued. “The package will apply across Pakistan.”

Electricity consumers in the country pay their bills according to the number of units that fall into various slabs, each with its own tariff rates.

Under the new winter package, industrial consumers will benefit from savings ranging between Rs5.72 and Rs15 per unit, according to Sharif, translating to an 18 percent to 37 percent reduction in electricity costs.

Commercial consumers are set to save between Rs13.46 and Rs22 per unit, equating to overall savings of 34 percent to 47 percent.

Sharif also emphasized the broader economic benefits of the initiative, saying it would alleviate financial pressures on consumers and stimulate economic activity in the country.

“With reduced electricity costs, industries will grow across Pakistan, agriculture will flourish, business and exports will expand, production will increase and Pakistan’s economy will strengthen further,” he said.

Topics: Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif electricity relief package

No official word from India it will participate in Champions Trophy in Pakistan — PCB

No official word from India it will participate in Champions Trophy in Pakistan — PCB
Updated 08 November 2024
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No official word from India it will participate in Champions Trophy in Pakistan — PCB

No official word from India it will participate in Champions Trophy in Pakistan — PCB
  • Mohsin Naqvi’s statement comes amid Indian media reports their team may not play the tournament
  • PCB chief maintains sports should be free from politics, says Pakistan’s preparations are continuing
Updated 08 November 2024
Falak Mahmood Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday there has been no official communication from Indian cricket authorities regarding their national team’s participation in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in Pakistan next year, despite recent reports in the Indian media suggesting otherwise.
Political tensions between India and Pakistan mean the two South Asian rivals only face each other at international tournaments. The Indian team last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the 50-over Asia Cup.
India’s refusal to play on Pakistani soil since then forced the PCB to settle for a “hybrid model” during last year’s Asia Cup, in which only four of the 13 matches were held in Pakistan, with the remaining nine played in Sri Lanka.
“For the past two months, there have been reports in Indian media that the Indian team is not coming [to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy],” Naqvi said during a news conference in Lahore.
“As far as what Indian media is reporting, if the Indian media is reporting this, then with that there must also be a letter that the ICC will give us [Pakistan] or the Indian [cricket] board must have announced [this decision] somewhere,” he continued. “So far, no such letter has reached me or the PCB.”
The ICC Champions Trophy, set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, marks Pakistan’s first time hosting this prestigious tournament. The PCB has been preparing extensively, investing in stadium upgrades and infrastructure improvements to meet international standards.
Naqvi emphasized the need to keep sports free from political influence, adding the preparations for the Champions Trophy would continue as planned with hopes for a successful event.
The ICC has previously expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s preparations, signaling that the tournament remains on track.
The PCB chief said during his media talk he was in contact with the cricket authorities in other countries, saying they were all excited about the upcoming event and wanted to play the tournament in Pakistan.

Topics: Champions Trophy 2025 Pakistan vs India Pakistan India Cricket

Pakistan, UAE sign agreements in customs, rail, airport infrastructure, maritime sectors

Pakistan, UAE sign agreements in customs, rail, airport infrastructure, maritime sectors
Updated 08 November 2024
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Pakistan, UAE sign agreements in customs, rail, airport infrastructure, maritime sectors

Pakistan, UAE sign agreements in customs, rail, airport infrastructure, maritime sectors
  • UAE minister of state for foreign trade calls on Pakistani PM Sharif
  • In May, Pakistan said UAE had committed $10 billion in investments
Updated 08 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the UAE on Friday signed four MoUs in the sectors of customs, rail and airport infrastructure, maritime shipping and logistics, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office in Islamabad said in a statement.
The MoUs were signed between the Pakistani ministries of maritime affairs, aviation and railways and the Federal Board of Revenue with the Abu Dhabi (AD) Ports Group.
“As per these MoUs, Pakistan and AD Ports Group would explore potential collaboration in customs, rail, airport infrastructure and maritime shipping and logistics sectors,” the PM’s office said after Sharif met a delegation of UAE investors led by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of state for foreign trade.
“These MoUs are aimed at improving digital customs controls, developing dedicated freight rail corridors, upgrading Pakistan’s maritime fleet and marine services, as well as Pakistan’s international airports.”
Sharif said the delegation’s visit demonstrated that the UAE government wanted to enhance its “investment footprint” in Pakistan and continue to play a “crucial role” in boosting Pakistan’s economy.
“The Prime Minister highlighted the comprehensive economic partnership between the two nations across sectors such as trade, energy, and investment, which has contributed to growth and prosperity in both countries.”
The UAE delegation’s visit to Pakistan comes as Islamabad is seeking to strengthen trade and investment ties with friendly nations. 
In May this, Pakistan said the UAE had committed $10 billion to invest in promising economic sectors in Pakistan.
Riyadh has also promised a $5 billion investment package that cash-strapped Pakistan desperately needs to shore up its dwindling foreign reserves and fight a chronic balance of payment crisis. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also signed 34 MoUs worth $2.8 billion last month.

Topics: Abu Dhabi Ports Karachi port Pakistan UAE ties

UN rights body urges Pakistan to end military trials of civilians, release them on bail

UN rights body urges Pakistan to end military trials of civilians, release them on bail
Updated 08 November 2024
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UN rights body urges Pakistan to end military trials of civilians, release them on bail

UN rights body urges Pakistan to end military trials of civilians, release them on bail
  • The UN body asks the government to release all civilians detained under the jurisdiction of military courts
  • It expressed concern over ‘increasing trend of enforced disappearances,’ as well as torture, other rights issues
Updated 08 November 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Human Rights Committee on Thursday expressed concerns over Pakistan’s use of military courts to prosecute civilians, calling for immediate reforms to safeguard due process and fair trial standards in the country.
The committee, an expert body established under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, one of the core international human rights treaties, primarily monitors its implementation by member states.
Pakistan first expanded military courts’ jurisdiction in recent years to include civilians in terrorism-related cases and lifted its moratorium on the death penalty following the killings of over 100 school children in an attack in Peshawar carried out by militants in 2014.
It has also tried supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in these courts following the May 9, 2023, riots, in which people carrying PTI flags targeted government buildings and military installations after the ex-premier was briefly detained on corruption charges.
“The Committee remains concerned about the use of the Pakistan Army Act 1952 to prosecute civilians in military courts,” said the review document prepared by the UN body. “It is also concerned about reports that indicate a very high rate of convictions handed down by military courts and that those convicted have been sentenced to death in the majority of cases between 2015 and 2019.”
“It is further concerned that military courts lack independence and that civilians tried in military courts do not benefit from the same due process guarantees as those provided for in the civilian judicial system,” it added.
The UN body noted that Pakistan’s Supreme Court had declared the military trial of civilians unconstitutional and contrary to international human rights standards last year in October, though it added that the ruling was suspended, and expressed concern that civilians could remain under military court jurisdiction until the top court issues a final verdict.
“The State party should take prompt measures to review the legislation on military courts, abrogate their jurisdiction over civilians and their authority to impose the death penalty, and bring their proceedings into full conformity with articles 14 and 15 of the Covenant in order to ensure a fair trial,” the document said. “The State party should also release on bail all civilians detained under the jurisdiction of military courts.”
Additionally, the UN body raised broader human rights concerns in the country, noting “the increasing trend of enforced disappearances,” as well as torture and extrajudicial executions.
It particularly mentioned “arbitrary restrictions, in law and in practice, on freedom of expression online and offline, including the broad and alarmingly frequent use of Internet shutdowns,” pointing out that the overall environment in the country makes it difficult to exercise freedom of expression by journalists, activists and human rights defenders.
The UN rights body’s findings and recommendations are not legally binding on member states. However, they carry significant weight and can be used to inform advocacy efforts and to apply diplomatic pressure on countries to adhere to human rights obligations.

Topics: military trial Pakistan Army Pakistan Humanitarian Forum

Pakistan says operation launched in southwest against separatists behind August assault

Pakistan says operation launched in southwest against separatists behind August assault
Updated 08 November 2024
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Pakistan says operation launched in southwest against separatists behind August assault

Pakistan says operation launched in southwest against separatists behind August assault
  • Outlawed BLA claimed responsibility for string of coordinated attacks on Aug 25-26 in which over 50 people killed
  • Former separatist who recently surrendered to authorities addresses press conference but unclear if spoke freely
Updated 08 November 2024
Muhammad Ibrahim

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched an armed operation in its southwestern Balochistan province against separatist militants who were behind multiple attacks in August in which more than 50 people, civilians and security officials, were killed, a senior counterterrorism officer said on Friday.
The outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army group claimed responsibility for the attacks, most of which occurred on the night of Aug. 25-26 and indicated that the BLA, which has targeted security forces for years in small-scale attacks and is allied with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), is now much more organized.
Speaking to media on Friday, Counterterrorism Department DIG Aitzaz Ahmed Goraya said two militants had been arrested and three killed in an operation over the weekend in connection with investigations into the August attacks. The two arrested militants had provided, among other leads, information on how the attacks were planned and carried out, where the funding came from, who the local facilitators of the insurgents were and where their hideouts in the mountains of Balochistan were located, Goraya said. 
“Now as I speak to you, based on the information, an operation has been launched since the last two days in Duki, Loralai and surrounding districts in which Frontier Corps, CTD, Levies, police and others are taking part,” the CTD official told reporters. 
The press conference was also addressed by a Baloch man who identified himself as Talal Aziz and said he had surrendered to authorities after a brief stint as a separatist. 
He did not specify when he had turned himself in and it was unclear under what circumstances he addressed the press conference and whether he spoke freely or under pressure from state authorities in Balochistan, a resource-rich but impoverished province where separatist militants have been fighting a decades-long insurgency to win secession of the region. Insurgents say they are fighting what they see as the unfair exploitation of the province’s mineral and gas wealth by the federation at the center. 
The Pakistani government and military deny they are exploiting Balochistan and have long maintained that neighbors such as India, Afghanistan and Iran foment trouble in the remote province and support and fund the insurgency there. 
Pakistan’s largest province, Balochistan borders Iran and Afghanistan and is home to major China-led projects such as a strategic port and a gold and copper mine. 
Speaking to media, Aziz said he had studied in Quetta and Sibi before getting a scholarship to pursue higher education at the Punjab University in the eastern city of Lahore, where he met some students from Balochistan.
“They convinced me to take up arms for the independence of Balochistan,” Aziz said, saying that later, when he went back to Balochistan during university holidays, some friends pushed him to attend a protest by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) where he was introduced to some dissidents. 
The group says it is a human and ethnic rights movement established in response to alleged state human rights abuses in Balochistan but Pakistan’s government and army have repeatedly called it a “terrorist proxy.”
Aziz said after the BYC sit-in, he became convinced to join militants at their mountain hideouts where he claimed he met many other educated, young people like himself who had been similarly “brainwashed.” There, Aziz said he learnt that the purpose of the Baloch militants was to plot the killings of ethnic Punjabis in Balochistan, who they consider outsiders, and he soon realized that he did not want to be part of any such agenda. He then ran away and surrendered to the authorities.
“These terrorists only wanted to lead Baloch people astray and try to break up Pakistan,” Aziz concluded. 
The rise of separatist attacks in bBalochistan poses a major challenge for the weak coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which is battling an economic crisis and political instability as well as a rise in militant violence by both religiously motivated and separatist groups across the country. 
Balochistan is also currently in the grips of civil rights protests by young ethnic Baloch who are calling for an end to what they describe as a pattern of enforced disappearances and other human rights abuses by security forces, who deny the charge.

Topics: Balochistan Attacks Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)

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