Minister says Israel’s Mossad fueling sectarianism in Pakistan through social media

Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri during a press conference on Aug. 11, 2020. (Photo courtesy: Ministry of Religious Affairs)
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Updated 11 August 2020
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Minister says Israel’s Mossad fueling sectarianism in Pakistan through social media

  • Pir Noorul Qadri says a conspiracy is being hatched to destabilize Pakistan by creating riots among different sects
  • The minister also urged the Council of Islamic Ideology to promote sectarian harmony in the country

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri claimed on Tuesday that Israel’s secret service, Mossad, was trying to spread sectarianism in Pakistan by using fake social media accounts.
“A female Mossad operative in Israel is spreading sectarian material in Pakistan by using a fake account,” he told a gathering organized by the Council of Islamic Ideology in Islamabad to commemorate the National Minorities Day. “This woman identifies herself as Aisha, has good command of Arabic, and regularly shares sectarian material on social media.”
The minister did not provide further details, and Arab News could not independently verify his claim. However, he added that “ignorant people” using these platforms spread the material without considering its implications.
Addressing the event that focused on pluralism and sectarian harmony, he said that the government had organized the convention to raise awareness about this issue and request scholars and general public not to fall for the Israeli conspiracy.
“We have noticed that blasphemous material related to sacred religious personalities gets frequently distributed [on social media]. It’s all planned,” he warned.
“For four decades, the conspiracy to destabilize Pakistan along linguistic, religious and ethnic lines has failed,” Qadri said. “Now the last attempt is a conspiracy to spread riots among Shias, Sunnis, Barelvis, Deobandis and Salafis.”
The minister said that the Council of Islamic Ideology should introduce a “new national charter” to promote harmony and understanding among different sects.
“The Muttahida Ulema Board Punjab, Milli Yakjehti Council and Inter-Faith Harmony Committee have made separate efforts to eradicate sectarianism. The Council of Islamic Ideology should put all these efforts together in the form of a new national charter,” he added.
“The state will maintain its writ in any case,” Qadri continued. “It is unfortunate that administrative officials have been urging scholars to remain peaceful before the arrival of Muharram [the first month of the Islamic calendar] since scholars should do it themselves.”


PM Sharif calls on Pakistan, UAE to enhance cooperation in trade and investment

Updated 23 December 2025
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PM Sharif calls on Pakistan, UAE to enhance cooperation in trade and investment

  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets UAE Ambassador Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi
  • Sharif invites collaboration with UAE in energy, minerals, IT, railways and aviation sectors, says PMO

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called on Pakistan and the UAE to enhance their trade, economic and investment relations, inviting investment from the Gulf country in Pakistan’s priority sectors. 

The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment for the South Asian country. In May 2024, the UAE committed to investing $10 billion in Pakistan’s economic sectors in the coming years.

Sharif met UAE Ambassador Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi at the Prime Minister House on Tuesday where the two sides discussed bilateral relations and economic ties, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. 

“Expressing his satisfaction at the volume of bilateral trade between the two sides, the Prime Minister further highlighted the need for both sides to focus on enhancing economic ties, trade, investment opportunities, and collaboration in areas such as energy, minerals, IT, railways and aviation,” the statement said. 

Sharif also invited increased UAE investments in key sectors to support Pakistan’s economic growth and stability, the PMO said.

The Pakistani prime minister acknowledged the UAE’s consistent support for Pakistan “in times of need,” acknowledging the country’s humanitarian assistance and developmental projects.

Al Zaabi thanked the Pakistani premier for extending him a warm welcome, the PMO said. 

“He reaffirmed the UAE’s firm resolve and keen interest to deepen its partnership with Pakistan across all spheres and assured the Prime Minister that he would work hard to explore new avenues for cooperation that would benefit both nations,” the statement concluded.