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PM SHEHBAZ PRAYS FOR UNITY, PROSPERITY OF UMMAH IN PHONE CALLS WITH MUSLIM LEADERS Monday, 17 June, 2024 I |10 Zil-Hajj, 1445
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COVEYS EIDUL AZHA GREETINGS TO PRESIDENT ERDOGAN, PRESIDENT OF TAJIKISTAN AND KING OF BAHRAIN
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XIV No 348 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
REAFFIRM PAKISTAN’S COMMITMENT TO FURTHER CEMENT BILATERAL TIES BETWEEN PAKISTAN, TURKIYE, TAJIKISTAN AND BAHRAIN
Shehbaz, President Aliyev discuss bilateral relations during Eid call LAHORE APP
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LAHORE STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif conveyed Eidul Azha greetings to different heads of state of Muslim countries on Sunday and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation among Muslim Ummah. According a press release issued by PM Office Media Wing on Sunday, 16 June 2024, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including trade, investment, defense, and tourism. They celebrated the strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood between Pakistan and Turkiye that were rooted in shared values, history, and cultural affinities. Both leaders held a warm and cordial telephone conversation, exchanging greetings and best wishes on the occasion of Eidul Azha,. Prime Minister Sharif and President Erdogan also discussed ways to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond. “They expressed serious concern about the current situation in Palestine while urging the international
community to redouble peace efforts to end the misery and suffering of the innocent Palestinians. The two leaders agreed to continue working together to address common challenges and to support each other’s core national interests,” the press statement further added. The warm conversation between the two leaders was a testament to the strong and enduring relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye, and their commitment to continuing their close cooperation in the days ahead. To this end, the prime minister reiterated his cordial invitation to President Erdogan to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience so as to convene the 7th session of the High Level Strategic Consultative Council (HLSCC). Pakistan, Tajikistan to continue working together for peace On the other hand, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon on Sunday to exchange greetings on the occasion of Eidul Azha. The Prime Minister congratulated President Emomali Rahmon and the brotherly people of Tajikistan on the blessed occasion of Eid, and expressed his wishes for peace, prosperity, and development of both countries. President Emomali Rahmon reciprocated the greetings and best wishes, and praised the strong fraternal relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Nothing on earth could dent Sino Pak long-standing friendship: Naqvi
ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that the government was going to form a new Force for the protection of foreigners living in Islamabad, saying safety and security of the Chinese nationals, especially those working on CPEC and other projects was a foremost priority of the government.
Talking to China’s ambassador in Pakistan Jiang Zaidong during his visit to the Chinese embassy, Naqvi praised the Chinese leadership for always standing by Pakistan during testing times, saying that no country on earth could weaken the long-standing relations between the two countries. A detailed discussion was also held on the promotion of PakistanChina relations and measures taken
for the security of Chinese citizens in Pakistan. “The recent visit of the prime minister has strengthened the friendship with China”, said Mr Naqvi, adding that the Chinese President, the prime minister and senior leadership of China had always supported Pakistan. He informed the Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zedong about the measures to protect Chinese citizens across the country including Islamabad. The interior minister also briefed him on the security plan of Chinese engineers and staff working on CPEC and other projects. He said that comprehensive and effective SOPs have been made for the security of Chinese citizens and a separate force “SPU” is being created in Islamabad for foreign nationals. The protection of the Chinese brothers who are working for the construction and development of Pakistan is the first priority of the government of Pakistan, said Mohsin Naqvi.
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Hajj pilgrims ‘stone the devil’ as Muslims mark Eidul Azha MAKKAH
AGENCIES
Pilgrims perform the last major ritual of the Hajj, the “stoning of the devil”, in western Saudi Arabia on Sunday, as Muslims the world over celebrate the Eidul Azha holiday. Beginning at dawn, the 1.8 million Muslims undertaking the pilgrimage this year will throw seven stones at each of three concrete walls symbolising the devil in the Mina Valley, located outside Makkah, the holiest city in Islam. The ritual commemorates Abraham’s stoning of the devil at the three spots where it is said Satan tried to dissuade him from obeying God’s order to sacrifice his son. The stoning ritual has been witness to multiple stampedes over the years, most recently in 2015 when up to 2,300 worshippers were martyred in the worst Hajj disaster. The site has been revamped since then to streamline the movement of the large crowds. On Saturday night, pilgrims collected stones and slept under the stars in the plain of Muzdalifah, located halfway between Mina and
Arafat, where they had spent the day praying outside in heat that reached 46 degrees Celsius (114.8 degrees Fahrenheit). “It was very, very hot,” said Rohy Daiseca, a 60-year-old Gambian living in the United States. “Alhamdulilah (thank God), I put a lot of water on my head and it was OK.” Worshippers have tried to take the gruelling conditions in stride, seizing what for many is a once-ina-lifetime chance to pray at Islam’s holiest shrines. “I am so happy that I can’t de-
scribe my feelings,” said Amal Mahrouss, a 55-year-old woman from Egypt. “This place shows us that we are all equal, that there are no differences between Muslims around the world.” One of the five pillars of Islam, the Hajj must be performed at least once by all Muslims with the means. This year’s figure of 1.8 million pilgrims is similar to last year’s, and Saudi authorities said on Saturday that 1.6 million of them came from abroad.
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Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. The two dignitaries exchanged Eid greetings and expressed their best wishes for the people of both countries. They also prayed for unity, peace, and prosperity of the Muslim Ummah, according to a press release from the PM Office Media Wing. During the call, the leaders reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations, particularly in trade, defence, and energy. They expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of relations and agreed to continue working closely to further strengthen bilateral ties to match the political goodwill between both countries. Additionally, they discussed ways to address common challenges, especially climate change. The prime minister congratulated Azerbaijan for hosting COP29 in Baku later this year and thanked President Aliyev for extending a personal invitation to him to participate in the event. Both leaders reaffirmed that Pakistan and Azerbaijan would continue to support each other at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, OIC, and ECO. They particularly appreciated the consistent support each country extended to the other’s core issues.
The two leaders also expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their shared desire to enhance ties in through trade, energy, and connectivity.
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NOTICE The offices of Pakistan Today will remain closed from June 17, 2024 (Monday) to June 18, 2024 (Tuesday) on account of Eidul Azha. Hence, the paper will not be published on June 18, 2024 (Tuesday) and June 19, 2024 (Wednesday). The Pakistan Today office will reopen on June 19, 2024 (Wednesday). We wish our readers a safe Eid.
Government plans to keep Imran in jail for five years: Ahsan Iqbal ISLAMABAD
MONITORING REPORT
The PML-N government has expressed its intention to keep Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan in prison for its entire five-year term until 2029 for “economic stability.” “People approach us saying Pakistan can only progress if Imran Khan is jailed for five years,” stated Federal Planning and Development Minister and PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal while speaking to reporters on Saturday. He asserted that if Khan were released, it would lead to further protests and unrest, which the country cannot afford. “There is a public demand for Imran Khan to remain imprisoned for five years,” Iqbal emphasized, adding that Khan was a contentious figure with ongoing conflicts. Iqbal described the current situation as a pivotal moment for both Pakistan and PTI. “We cannot hold talks with PTI while it continues to campaign against state institutions. Imran Khan must demonstrate seriousness if he wishes to engage in dialogue with the government,” he stated, stressing the need for policy continuity.
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