Day: February 6, 2025

Paris: Prince Aga Khan IV’s son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, has been named the 50th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, of the Ismaili community. This significant announcement follows the unsealing of the will of his late father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.

According to Radio Pakistan, the decision marks a new chapter for the Ismaili community as Prince Rahim assumes his role as the spiritual leader. The unsealing of the will has confirmed Prince Rahim’s succession, ensuring the continuation of leadership within the community.

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the residence of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl Chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, in Islamabad today (Thursday) and inquired after his health. The visit underscored the continuing relationship between the political leadership and key religious figures in the country.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister prayed for the speedy recovery of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, demonstrating concern for the health of the JUI-F Chief. In return, Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister for his well-wishes.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for the leaders to discuss pressing national and political issues. This conversation reflects the ongoing dialogue among political entities aimed at addressing the country’s challenges. Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Attaullah Tarar were also present during the meeting, indicating the significance of the discussions.

New York: Turkiye and Azerbaijan have once again expressed support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination in line with the UN Security Council resolutions. Addressing a Kashmir Solidarity Day event hosted jointly by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN and the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York, Permanent Representative of Turkiye to the UN Ambassador Ahmet Yildiz voiced his country’s opposition to unilateral steps taken by India in Jammu and Kashmir, including demographic and other administrative and legal changes. He noted that the annulment of Article 370 complicated the situation in the region and emphasized that the relevant UNSC resolutions provided the framework for just resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

According to Radio Pakistan, Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN Ambassador Tofig Musayev highlighted the need for the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with international norms, the UN Charter, and Security Council resolutions. He stressed that continuous efforts are necessary for the establishment of sustainable peace in South Asia and noted the active engagement of the OIC in matters of peace and security.

Permanent Observer of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ambassador Hameed Ajibaiye Opeloyeru reiterated the OIC’s strong support for the Kashmir cause, demanding the revocation of all illegal measures initiated on August 5, 2019, which aimed to change the demographic structure of Jammu and Kashmir.

Deputy Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Abdulaziz Alateek emphasized the importance of constructive dialogue and engagement for the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He underscored the necessity of upholding and respecting the aspirations of the Kashmiris.

In his welcome remarks, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Munir Akram expressed gratitude to the members of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir for their unwavering support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. He remarked that the Kashmiris’ story of defiance against Indian occupation is fundamentally about rights and justice.

Beijing: China-Pakistan All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership is a choice by history and by the people, and enjoys broad support from all walks of life in both countries. This understanding was reached during President Asif Ali Zardari’s meeting with the Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji in Beijing.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Chinese side reiterated that the China-Pakistan relationship is a priority in its foreign relations and holds special significance in Beijing’s foreign policy. The Pakistani side highly commended and expressed strong support for the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping. Both sides agreed to enhance international cooperation to jointly tackle global challenges and foster a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind.

The Chinese side acknowledged Pakistan’s National Economic Transformation Plan titled Uraan, applauding the achievements made by Pakistan in economic reform and national development. The Chinese leadership expressed its wishes for Pakistan’s continued stability, security, development, and prosperity. Both sides reaffirmed their unyielding support for each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns.

The Chinese side reiterated its firm support for Pakistan’s efforts to safeguard national security, stability, development, and prosperity. Both nations agreed to strengthen high-level interactions, enhance exchanges and cooperation across various departments, and engage in in-depth exchanges of governance experience.

They also reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and agreed to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism. The Pakistani side will continue to make efforts to investigate terrorist attacks involving Chinese personnel and bring perpetrators to justice. It will also increase security input and take targeted measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions in Pakistan.

The Chinese side praised Pakistan’s ongoing efforts and sacrifices in combating terrorism and expressed its willingness to provide support for Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capacity building.

Islamabad: Pakistan has reaffirmed strong support for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and its mandate in assisting the people and government of South Sudan. The resolve was expressed by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram, in a statement during a briefing on South Sudan at the UN Security Council.

According to Radio Pakistan, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative noted with concern the slow progress on developing a clear, actionable, and financially backed roadmap to complete outstanding tasks, including the unification of forces, transitional security arrangements, and the constitution-making process.

The Pakistani envoy acknowledged the decision to extend South Sudan’s transition period by two years, with elections now scheduled for December 2026. He emphasized the importance of utilizing this extension to ensure a credible electoral process and reaffirm support for timely elections.

The Pakistani Ambassador appreciated the dedication and sacrifices of the UN Mission in South Sudan’s Peacekeepers in advancing peace, stability, and development in South Sudan. He urged the South Sudanese government to fully cooperate with the UN Mission in South Sudan, particularly regarding deployment requests and operational challenges, including the pending request for additional forces and concerns over the partial vacation of the Mission Headquarters.