ISLAMABAD: Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz has offered condolences to Pakistan’s president Dr. Arif Alvi over the precious lives lost in the tragic train blaze, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Friday.
“We call Allah the Almighty to bestow his mercy on the deceased, and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the king said in a cable message sent to the president.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also condoled the deaths in a separate message sent to President Alvi, the SPA reported.
“I offer my condolences to Your Excellency and victims’ families, calling Allah the Almighty to bestow his mercy on the deceased, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” the message from the crown prince read.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, also expressed sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan over the victims of Tezgam accident.
On Friday, the Saudi embassy in Islamabad expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives and reiterated solidarity with the people of Pakistan in this time of difficulty.
Around 74 people were killed when a massive fire broke out on a moving train in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province on Thursday while 40 others sustained injuries, according to officials.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has termed the incident a “terrible tragedy” and offered immediate probe into the matter.
The train “Tezgam,” which met the tragic accident, was a daily express service shuttling between Karachi and Rawalpindi and, according to officials, was carrying pilgrims to an annual religious congregation outside Lahore where a tented village is prepared to house around 400,000 people for joint prayers.
Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to Pakistan over train inferno
Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to Pakistan over train inferno
- 74 people were reported dead and another 40 injured when a crowded train caught fire on Thursday
- Prime Minsiter Khan termed the incident a "terrible tragedy" and has ordered immediate probe
Pakistan opposition rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to demand release of Imran Khan
- PTI-led gathering calls the former PM a national hero and demands the release of all political prisoners
- Government says the opposition failed to draw a large crowd and accuses PTI of damaging its own politics
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s opposition led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party demanded the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan at a rally in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday, describing him as a national hero who continues to command public support.
The gathering came days after a rare and strongly worded briefing by the military’s media chief, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who dismissed Khan as “narcissistic” and “mentally ill” on Friday while responding to the former premier’s allegations that Pakistan’s chief of defense forces was responsible for undermining the constitution and rule of law.
He said that Khan was promoting an anti-state narrative which had become a national security threat.
The participants of the rally called for “civilian supremacy” and said elected representatives should be treated with respect.
“We, the people of Pakistan, regard Imran Khan as a national hero and the country’s genuinely elected prime minister, chosen by the public in the February 8, 2024 vote,” said a resolution presented at the rally in Peshawar. “We categorically reject and strongly condemn the notion that he or his colleagues pose any kind of threat to national security.”
“We demand immediate justice for Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi and all political prisoners, and call for their prompt release,” it added, referring to Khan’s wife who is also in prison. “No restrictions should be placed on Imran Khan’s meetings with his family, lawyers or political associates.”
Addressing the gathering, Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, denied his administration was not serious about security issues amid increased militant activity. However, he maintained the people of his province had endured the worst of Pakistan’s conflict with militancy and urged a rethinking of long-running security policies.
The resolution asked the federal government to restore bilateral trade and diplomatic channels with Afghanistan, saying improved cross-border ties were essential for the economic stability of the region.
The trade between the two neighbors has suffered as Pakistan accuses the Taliban administration in Kabul of sheltering and facilitating armed groups that it says launch cross-border attacks to target its civilians and security forces. Afghan officials deny the claim.
The two countries have also had deadly border clashes in recent months that have killed dozens of people on both sides.
Some participants of the rally emphasized the restoration of democratic freedoms, judicial independence and space for political reconciliation, calling them necessary to stabilize the country after years of political confrontation.
Reacting to the opposition rally, Information Minister Attaullah Tarrar said the PTI and its allies could not gather enough people.
“In trying to build an anti-army narrative, they have ruined their own politics,” he said, adding that the rally’s reaction to the military’s media chief’s statement reflected “how deeply it had stung.”
“There was neither any argument nor any real response,” he added, referring to what was said by the participants of the rally.
