Pakistan army chief orders 'comprehensive security measures' for OIC meeting in Islamabad

Pakistani police commandos walk in front of the Parliament, in Islamabad on August 17, 2018. (AFP/File)
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Updated 18 March 2022
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Pakistan army chief orders 'comprehensive security measures' for OIC meeting in Islamabad

  • OIC Council of Foreign Ministers session is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on March 22-23
  • Opposition parties have also announced a ‘long march’ toward Islamabad starting March 23

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday ordered that “comprehensive security measures” be taken for a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM) and the Pakistan Day parade scheduled to take place in Islamabad next week, the Pakistani military said.

The 48th session of the OIC-CFM will be held in Islamabad on March 22-23, for which at least 46 OIC foreign ministers or representatives have confirmed their participation. All heads of the visiting delegations have also been invited to witness the Pakistan Day parade on March 23 as "guests of honor."

The parade is held every year to commemorate the Lahore Resolution, which was adopted on the same day in 1940 and laid the foundation for a Muslim-majority state in South Asia.

On Tuesday, the army chief presided over a corps commanders' conference in Rawalpindi to review important global and regional developments as well as the internal security situation.

“COAS [Chief of Army Staff] directed that comprehensive security measures be ensured for peaceful conduct of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting and Pakistan Day Parade,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military's media wing, said in a statement.

“The forum expressed resolve to take all requisite measures to ensure security of the country.”

Pakistan has witnessed intense political turmoil since the opposition filed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan last week, accusing his administration of misgovernance.

Khan has vowed to gather a “sea of people” in front of parliament on March 27 ahead of the no-trust proceedings in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

In response to his call, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is heading the opposition alliance, has asked supporters to embark on a long march towards the capital on March 23.


If India doesn’t want handshakes, Pakistan has no desire for it either— PCB

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If India doesn’t want handshakes, Pakistan has no desire for it either— PCB

  • Indian cricketers have refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in recent matches
  • Pakistan’s senior men’s cricket team willl next face India on Feb. 15 in T20 World Cup group clash

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently criticized the Indian cricket team’s “no-handshake” policy, saying Pakistani cricketers will also refrain from the friendly gesture if it persists. 

The Indian cricket team has refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts in recent matches between the two sides. This policy made headlines worldwide in September when the two sides met for the Asia Cup 2025 in three cricket matches, with the Indian team refusing to shake hands with Pakistani team members each time. 

India’s new policy to not shake hands with Pakistani cricketers took place months after the two nuclear-armed neighbors clashed in a four-day military conflict in May. Washington eventually intervened and brokered a ceasefire on May 10 after four days of conflict.

“If they do not want to do handshakes, then we also have no desire for it either,” Naqvi told reporters at a press conference on Sunday. 

The PCB chairman, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, said cricket matters related to India will be decided on an “equal footing.”

“It won’t happen that they do one thing and we beg them in return,” Naqvi said. “This won’t happen.” 

Pakistan’s Under-19 squad this month defeated India in a one-sided final for the U-19 Asia Cup tournament in Dubai. 

Pakistan’s senior men’s cricket team is set to face India in Sri Lanka on Feb. 15 in a group stage clash for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.