ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Thursday his country was proud of its “special strategic and brotherly relationship” with Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The military commander's remarks came during a meeting with Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir, and UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan in Rawalpindi, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.
The leaders discussed matters of mutual interest including “growing bilateral ties and security situation in the region,” the army said, adding that the visiting dignitaries appreciated “Pakistan’s role for peace and stability in the region and assured of their full support to resolve the situation created by India’s unilateral steps” in Kashmir.
The ministers arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday and met Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
In his meeting with the ministers, Khan said Saudi Arabia and the UAE had an “important role” to play in urging New Delhi to halt and reverse its “illegal actions” in Indian-administered Kashmir. Qureshi also discussed the situation in Kashmir with the visiting dignitaries.
“The visiting Ministers underlined the strong bonds of Saudi Arabia and the UAE with Pakistan and the strategic salience of their relationships with Pakistan. They reaffirmed their strong support and solidarity with the people of Pakistan,” the foreign office said in a statement on Wednesday.
Pakistan proud of ‘special’ ties with Saudi Arabia, UAE – army chief
Pakistan proud of ‘special’ ties with Saudi Arabia, UAE – army chief
- Top Saudi, UAE ministers discuss growing bilateral ties and security situation in region with military commander
- Assure Pakistan of full support to resolve conflict in Indian-administered Kashmir
Ramadan moon sighted in Pakistan, first fast to be observed on Thursday
- Pakistan moon sighting committee receives testimonies of moon being sighted from several cities
- Muslims fast from dawn till sunset during holy month of Ramadan, which is followed by Eid Al Fitr
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee has announced that the Ramadan moon has been sighted in the country and the first fast of the holy month will be observed on Thursday.
Pakistan’s Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) determines the dates for new Islamic months and Eid festivals by sighting the moon every year. Committee members announce the dates for the Islamic months after visually observing the crescent and receiving testimonies of its sighting from several parts of the country.
Speaking to reporters after the RHC’s meeting in Peshawar, the committee’s chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad said testimonies of the moon sighting were received from several parts of the country, including Quetta, Islamabad, Waziristan, Dir, Karachi, Buner, Mardan and Tando Allahyar.
“Therefore, it was decided with consensus that the first day of Ramadan would be on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026,” Azad said in a televised press conference.
Pakistan’s national space agency announced last week that the Ramadan crescent is likely to be visible in the country on Feb. 18 and consequently, the first date of Ramadan is likely to be on Feb. 19.
Muslims fast from dawn till sunset during Ramadan. This is followed by Eid Al Fitr, a religious holiday and celebration to mark the end of Ramadan which is observed by Muslims worldwide.
