ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday his government wanted to establish the rule of law in the country by following the principles established by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which required a state to hold its powerful citizens accountable for their misdeeds as well.
Khan made the comment while addressing a national conference in Islamabad as people across the country celebrated Mawlid Al-Nabi – or the birth anniversary of the Prophet (PBUH) – with traditional religious fervor.
The Prophet’s birth anniversary is observed on the 12th day of Rabi Al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar, by Muslims all over the world.
The prime minister emphasized in his speech no society could progress without maintaining equal standards of justice for everyone.
“The central pillars of the State of Madinah established by our Prophet (PBUH) were morality and rule of law,” he noted. “A welfare state always looks after its people irrespective of their status. We will have to make the powerful abide by the laws of this country. Otherwise, we will not be able to fix the system.”
He said a leader should be honest and trustworthy, adding that the two qualities were also quite prominent in the Prophet’s own personality.
Khan reiterated he was striving to implement in his country the political ideals that were central to the State of Madinah.
“I will keep on fighting for the rule of law in the country until my last breath,” he continued. “We have to bring the powerful within the ambit of the rule of law.”
The prime minister said his government had formed a special authority to apprise the people about the life and teachings of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH).
“Children have access to all types of information through mobile phones these days,” he said. “The challenge is to show them the right path and direction. The newly established authority will provide guidance to our youth by showing them different aspects of the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).”
He added the objective of setting up an Islamic welfare state that followed the principles of the State of Madinah had been there in his party’s manifesto for 25 years.
“Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave women right to property which they did not have it before,” he said. “The State of Madinah also introduced the concept of providing pension to older people.”
Earlier, while addressing the first session of the conference, President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized the need for promoting unity among Muslims in the light of the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH).
“The last Prophet preached not to spread discord and said that Muslims were united like a single body,” Alvi said, adding that the revolution that emerged from the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah had truly transformed the world.
“I have a firm belief that change in Pakistan and the Muslim world will once again come from the mosque which holds special significance in the character building of a nation,” he maintained.
A special documentary on the life of the Prophet (PBUH) was also screened at the conference.
PM Khan promises rule of law as nation celebrates Mawlid Al-Nabi
https://arab.news/2hfb3
PM Khan promises rule of law as nation celebrates Mawlid Al-Nabi
- Says will strive to create welfare state in following the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
- Birthday of Prophet (PBUH) is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi Al-Awwal by Muslims all over the world
Pakistan beefs up security in Karachi, Islamabad and Skardu as Khamenei protests kill 24
- At least 14 killed in northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, 10 in Karachi during Sunday’s clashes between protesters, law enforcers
- Police close off roads leading to key government buildings in Islamabad, US consulate in Karachi with army deployed in Skardu
ISLAMABAD/GILGIT: Authorities beefed up security by deploying additional police contingents and sealing off most roads leading to government buildings in Islamabad, Karachi and Skardu on Monday after violent protests in the aftermath of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing led to the deaths of at least 24 people in Pakistan.
At least 10 people were killed and 73 others sustained injuries on Sunday in clashes with law enforcement outside the US consulate in Karachi. Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside the consulate, with videos showing angry crowds armed with sticks as they smashed doors and windows.
In Islamabad, protesters entered the Red Zone which houses key government and diplomatic offices in the capital, prompting authorities to fire tear gas to disperse them. Similarly, people gathered outside the press club in the northwestern city of Peshawar to protest Khamenei’s killing as well.
Skardu in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region saw violent clashes on Sunday as well, as protesters set fire to and vandalized several buildings, including United Nations (UN) regional offices. Clashes with law enforcers caused the deaths of at least 14 people in the region, among them a soldier, a senior official told Arab News.
“Seven protesters were killed in Gilgit and seven in Skardu,” GB Caretaker Information Minister Ghulam Abbas confirmed. “One was soldier martyred in Skardu while the injured there were around 50.”
The minister said the station house officer and deputy superintendent of police in Skardu were also injured, along with two soldiers, while 10 properties were damaged in the clashes. He said police have registered complaints against the culprits for the violence.
“Schools are closed on Monday and courts’ activities will also be closed,” Abbas said. “A curfew has also been imposed for three days initially in Skardu and Gilgit cities from Mar. 2 to Mar. 4.”
The flare-up also prompted authorities to call in the army in Skardu under Article 245 of the Pakistani constitution, state media reported on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Traffic Police said entry into the Red Zone area will remain open for people only through the Margalla Road and another route through Marriott Hotel.
“All other entry points leading toward the Red Zone will remain closed,” it said in its advisory.
A spokesperson for the Karachi Traffic Police said in a press release that the MT Khan Road, from PIDC road to the Mai Kolachi Road railway crossing, will remain closed on Monday for general traffic due to security reasons.
The US consulate, which was the scene of clashes between protesters and police, is located on Mai Kolachi Road near MT Khan and PIDC.
“The general public is requested to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and traffic police to avoid inconvenience and difficulties,” the Karachi Traffic Police spokesperson said.
MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS
The violence on Sunday came hours after Iranian authorities confirmed Khamenei was killed in coordinated strikes carried out by the US and Israel, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and triggering protests in several countries.
According to US officials, the operation targeted Revolutionary Guard command facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. The US military said it suffered no casualties and reported minimal damage to its bases despite what it described as “hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks.”
Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and targeting US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. The Emirati government said its air defense systems intercepted dozens of Iranian missiles and drones, but debris from the interceptions caused material damage in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and at least one civilian, a Pakistani national, was killed. It issued rare emergency alerts urging residents to seek shelter, underscoring how the conflict has rippled far beyond Iran’s borders.
The Israeli military said dozens of Iranian missiles were fired toward Israeli territory, many of which were intercepted. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said a woman in the Tel Aviv area died after being wounded in a missile strike.
