ISLAMABAD: Leaders of Islamist political factions in Pakistan on Friday rallied against a French magazine, Charlie Hebdo, for republishing sacrilegious images of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and demanded immediate expulsion of the French ambassador from the country.
The protest demonstrations were organized in various cities by groups like Tehreek-e-Labbaik, Sunni Tehreek and Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen.
The participants of the rally said they would not tolerate “blasphemous acts” against their religion, adding that the publication of controversial sketches was yet another manifestation of Islamophobia in the guise of free speech and expression.
Charlie Hebdo, a satirical weekly publication, was attacked by Islamist gunmen in 2015 after it published anti-Islam images that offended a large number of Muslims and led to widespread protests.
The publication printed the same material again as a court began to try some people who allegedly facilitated the attack.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday denounced the magazine’s decision to republish the sketches, pointing out in a video message that such caricatures hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world.
Meanwhile, the magazine’s management announced on Friday that its latest edition had sold out in just one day, and a new batch of 200,000 copies would hit newstands on Saturday.
Protesters in Pakistan demand expulsion of French ambassador as Charlie Hebdo sells out latest edition
https://arab.news/ce6pk
Protesters in Pakistan demand expulsion of French ambassador as Charlie Hebdo sells out latest edition
- The French satirical magazine republished anti-Islam images that resulted in an attack on its office in 2015
- Pakistan has already denounced Charlie Hebdo’s decision to republish material that hurt ‘the sentiments of millions of Muslims’
Pakistan, Oman navies discuss maritime security, ink agreement to share shipping data
- Visiting Oman royal navy commander calls on Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf in Islamabad
- White shipping agreement refers to exchange of prior information on movement of commercial ships
ISLAMABAD: The naval commanders of Pakistan and Oman discussed regional maritime security on Wednesday and signed an agreement to share shipping information with each other, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
The press release followed a meeting between Pakistan Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and the visiting Oman Royal Navy Commander Rear Admiral Saif Bin Nasser Bin Mohsin Al Rahbi at Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.
Both navies maintain close professional relations, reflected in expert-level staff talks, joint training, bilateral exercises, and participation in multilateral exercises between the Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security and bilateral naval cooperation were discussed,” the Pakistan Navy said.
The MoU was signed by both sides at a ceremony at the Naval Headquarters, the navy’s media wing confirmed.
“The MoU is aimed at establishing of guidelines and procedures for information sharing in order to enhance mutual awareness of white shipping,” the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
White shipping agreement refers to the exchange of prior information on the movement and identity of commercial non-military merchant vessels.
Information regarding the identity of vessels helps countries tackle potential threats from sea routes. This particularly helps in the development of a proper regional maritime domain awareness
The statement said Al Rahbi lauded Pakistan Navy’s professionalism and acknowledged its ongoing contributions to maritime security and regional stability.
Pakistan and Oman share geographical proximity and common maritime boundaries. Bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries span a wide range of areas, including economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and strong defense ties.
In December, a Royal Navy flotilla from Oman visited Karachi to take part in the annual bilateral Thamar Al Tayyib (TAT) 2025 exercise.
Pakistan Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the TAT series of exercises regularly since 1980.
