logo
Ministry advises 'strict adherence' to Saudi laws

Ministry advises 'strict adherence' to Saudi laws

Express Tribune2 days ago

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MoRA) on Monday advised Pakistani pilgrims to comply fully with Saudi regulations, particularly during Mashair days in Mina, Arafat, Muzdalifa and Jamarah.
Issuing an advisory ahead of Hajj starting from 8th Zilhajj (June 4 – Wednesday), Secretary Religious Affairs Dr Syed Ataur Rehman emphasized the importance of following the instructions of Saudi authorities without argument.
He cautioned Pakistani pilgrims that violating Saudi laws and engaging in prohibited activities could bring a bad name for the country, and stressed that individuals would be responsible for their own actions.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pakistan becomes co chair of UNSC counter-terrorism committee
Pakistan becomes co chair of UNSC counter-terrorism committee

Express Tribune

time21 minutes ago

  • Express Tribune

Pakistan becomes co chair of UNSC counter-terrorism committee

Listen to article In a major setback for India, Pakistan has been elected vice-chair of the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) Counter-Terrorism Committee and will also chair the UNSC's 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025. This marks a significant diplomatic victory for Islamabad on the global stage. The recent development comes as a high-level parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York following the confrontation with India over the Pahalgam attack. The situation de-escalated after US President Donald Trump's intervention, leading to a ceasefire. During their visit, the delegation presented Pakistan's position on regional tensions, calling for respect for international law and advocating for peaceful relations with neighbouring countries. Read More: Bilawal proposes ISI-RAW tie-up to fight terror The delegation met with the UN Secretary General, the President of the General Assembly, members of the Security Council, ambassadors of the OIC group, media representatives, civil society members, and the Pakistani diaspora. Pakistan stressed India's unlawful actions, including violations of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, while condemning attacks on civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The delegation also rejected India's claims regarding the April 22 attack, pointing out the lack of evidence to support those assertions. According to the updated list of chairs for UNSC's subsidiary bodies, Denmark will take charge of the 1267 ISIL (Da'ish) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee in 2025, with Russia and Sierra Leone appointed as vice-chairs. Algeria will take the lead of the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee, with France, Pakistan, and Russia serving as its vice-chairs on the 15-member committee. In addition, Pakistan will also chair the UNSC's 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025. This committee is responsible for overseeing the implementation of sanctions, including asset freezes, travel restrictions, and arms embargoes, on individuals and groups linked to the Taliban that pose a threat to peace and stability in Afghanistan. Guyana and Russia will serve as vice-chairs of the Taliban Sanctions Committee. These appointments place Pakistan at the heart of global discussions and policymaking concerning counterterrorism efforts and regional stability. The country's active role in these committees highlights its increasing influence within the UNSC. #BREAKING UN General Assembly ELECTS the following countries as Security Council non-permanent members for two-year terms starting 1 Jan 2026: 🇧🇭 Bahrain 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo 🇱🇻 Latvia 🇱🇷 Liberia Follow our coverage ⤵️ — UN News (@UN_News_Centre) June 3, 2025 In the latest UNSC elections held on Tuesday, five new countries—Bahrain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Latvia, and Colombia—were elected to serve on the Council for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2026. Read More: Pakistan secures non-permanent seat on UN Security Council Pakistan's election to serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2025–26 term further solidifies its leadership. Last year, Pakistan won an overwhelming 182 votes out of 193 in the General Assembly election, well above the required two-thirds majority of 124 votes. The UN Security Council consists of 15 members, including five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—who hold veto power, and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The current non-permanent members are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia. Elections take place annually through a secret ballot, with seats distributed according to regional groups. To be elected, candidates must obtain a two-thirds majority in the 193-member General Assembly.

After Pakistan downed Indian jets, Indonesia weighs purchase of China's J-10s
After Pakistan downed Indian jets, Indonesia weighs purchase of China's J-10s

Business Recorder

time2 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

After Pakistan downed Indian jets, Indonesia weighs purchase of China's J-10s

JAKARTA: Indonesia is weighing buying China's J-10 fighter jets, given their relatively cheaper price and advanced capability, as it also considers finalising a purchase of US-made F-15EX jets, a senior official said on Wednesday. Southeast Asia's most populous country has in recent years embarked on efforts to modernise its ageing military hardware. In 2022 it bought 42 French Rafale jets worth $8.1 billion, six of which will be delivered next year. A potential purchase has been considered for over a year, before the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, but Taufanto said Indonesia would factor in reports that a Pakistani J-10 plane shot down multiple Indian jets last month. 'We have had talks with China and they offered us a lot, not just J-10, but also ships, arms, frigates,' said Deputy Defence Minister and retired Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto. 'We're evaluating J-10,' Taufanto said, adding that Jakarta was reviewing system compatibility and after-sales support as well as pricing. A potential purchase has been considered for over a year, before the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, but Taufanto said Indonesia would factor in reports that a Pakistani J-10 plane shot down multiple Indian jets last month. Success of Chinese jets against India raises alarm in Asia: report Jakarta also continues to consider whether to proceed with the next step for its purchase of F-15EX fighters, he said, following the defence ministry's deal with planemaker Boeing for the sale in 2023. Taufanto said the U.S. jets' capabilities were well recorded, but suggested the offered price of $8 billion for 24 planes remained in question. French President Emmanuel Macron said after meeting Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta last week that they had signed a preliminary defence pact that could lead to new orders of French hardware including Rafale jets. 'We're considering (France's) offer. We're considering our own budget, we're evaluating, especially given we have other options like J-10, F-15,' Taufanto said.

Bilawal-led Pakistani delegation ends two-day UN visit in New York
Bilawal-led Pakistani delegation ends two-day UN visit in New York

Express Tribune

time2 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

Bilawal-led Pakistani delegation ends two-day UN visit in New York

Listen to article A high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples' Party and former foreign minister, wrapped up a two-day visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The delegation conveyed Pakistan's stance on regional tensions, urging respect for international law and peaceful relations with neighbours. During the visit, the delegation met with the UN Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly, members of the Security Council, ambassadors of the OIC group, media representatives, civil society, and the Pakistani diaspora. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan seeks peaceful, cooperative relations based on equality and mutual respect but will not tolerate aggression or violations of international norms. READ MORE: Pakistan downed five Indian jets 'like mosquitoes': Bilawal The delegation highlighted India's unlawful actions, including violations of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, and condemned attacks on civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). They rejected India's claims about the April 22 terrorist attack, citing a lack of evidence. Speaking at a press conference at the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, he blamed India for using the April 22 Pahalgam attack in IIOJK as a pretext for aggression. He emphasized that Pakistan has consistently condemned terrorism in all its forms and proposed a collaboration between ISI and RAW to combat terrorism. "I am completely confident that if ISI [Inter-Service Intelligence of Pakistan] and RAW [Research and Analysis Wing of India] sat down and worked together to fight these forces, we would see a significant decrease in terrorism both within India and Pakistan," he said. He described the recent ceasefire as a 'welcome first step,' but warned it was 'merely a first step.' Bilawal also highlighted the human cost of terrorism in Pakistan, stating, 'If you compare the number of victims to terrorism then far more Pakistanis are killed by terrorists than Indians.' Concern was raised over India's unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), vital for more than 240 million Pakistanis. The delegation warned that India's "weaponisation of water" breaches treaty obligations and international law. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to fighting terrorism in all forms and condemned Indian-sponsored terrorism and transnational assassination campaigns. The delegation called for cooperation over politicisation to combat terrorism effectively. The delegation stressed Pakistan's restrained and lawful response to Indian provocations and warned against attempts to normalise arbitrary strikes in the nuclear-sensitive region, cautioning that such actions could have disastrous consequences. READ MORE: Pak delegation to expose India's propaganda They called for a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The delegation urged the international community to uphold treaty sanctity, restore the Indus Waters Treaty, and support comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. Other members of the delegation included Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Masood Malik; Senator Sherry Rehman, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change; former foreign ministers Hina Rabbani Khar and Khurram Dastgir Khan; Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari; Senator Bushra Anjum Butt; and former foreign secretaries Jalil Abbas Jilani and Tehmina Janjua. Pakistan sent two delegations to different world capitals as part of Islamabad's diplomatic campaign to present its position on India's aggression following the Pahalgam attack. A nine-member delegation led by Bilawal is visiting the United States, while another team, headed by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, is currently in Moscow, where they met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday. READ MORE: Pakistan launches diplomatic offensive against India At the United Nations, the Pakistani delegation engaged with representatives from UN Security Council member states, including some of India's close allies, briefing them on the concerning security developments in South Asia after India's recent military aggression and unilateral actions. The parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal arrived in Washington on Wednesday, where they were warmly welcomed by Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store