ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar met Muslim ambassadors of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region on Wednesday to discuss the deteriorating human rights situation in Palestine, Islamophobia, and other issues, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Islamabad enjoys fraternal ties with Muslim countries in the MENA region, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Over three million Pakistani expatriates live in the two countries alone, making them a huge source of remittances for the South Asian country.
Pakistan has consistently lobbied for a cease-fire in Gaza, as the human rights situation in the Middle East worsens. Israel’s defense forces have killed over 20,000 Palestinians and wounded thousands more since Oct. 7, as it mounts air and ground offensives against Hamas.
Kakar met the ambassadors of Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE and Yemen for lunch on Wednesday, the PMO said.
“The Prime Minister shared Pakistan’s perspective on a number of issues, particularly the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories,” the statement said.
“Other challenges confronting the Muslim world such as Islamophobia were also discussed.”
The premier stressed the need for Muslim countries to work closely and collectively, especially through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on these “complex issues,” the PMO added.
Kakar underscored the importance that Pakistan attaches to fraternal relations with Muslim states, particularly those in the MENA region.
“The Prime Minister praised the Ambassadors for their efforts to forge stronger ties between Islamabad and their respective capitals,” the PMO said.
The ambassadors, in turn, thanked Kakar and reiterated their support toward advancing bilateral relations with Pakistan, the statement said.
Pakistan’s PM discusses Palestine crisis, Islamophobia with ambassadors of MENA countries
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Pakistan’s PM discusses Palestine crisis, Islamophobia with ambassadors of MENA countries
- PM Kakar meets ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt and other countries from MENA region
- Pakistan’s premier urges countries to work closely and collectively, especially through OIC, to combat mutual challenges
Sri Lanka seal gritty T20 win over Pakistan to level series
- In a contest trimmed to 12 overs a side, Sri Lanka scored 160 runs before choking Pakistan to 146-8
- The series saw the visitors clinch the opener by six wickets before rain washed out the second game
Dambulla: Sri Lanka eked out a hard fought 14-run victory over Pakistan in the third T20 at rain-hit Dambulla on Sunday, easing their batting jitters and squaring the three-match series 1-1.
The series, a warm-up for the T20 World Cup with Pakistan set to play all their matches in Sri Lanka due to political tensions with nuclear-armed neighbors India, saw the visitors clinch the opener by six wickets before rain washed out the second game.
“We were a bit worried about our batting and I’m glad we addressed that today,” said Wanindu Hasaranga, who walked away with both Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors.
“The bowlers did a good job too. The ball was wet and it wasn’t easy. We tried to bowl wide and slow and asked them to take risks.”
Hasaranga took four wickets in the game and in the process completed 150 wickets in T20Is.
In a contest trimmed to 12 overs a side, Sri Lanka muscled their way to a competitive 160 before choking Pakistan to 146-8.
Having been bowled out inside 20 overs in the series opener, Sri Lanka needed a statement with the bat and duly ticked every box after being put in.
The top order laid the platform and the middle order applied the finishing touches.
Wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis made hay under the Power Play, blasting 30 off 16 balls while Dhananjaya de Silva (22 off 15) and Charith Asalanka (21 off 13) kept the scoreboard ticking.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka then swung the momentum decisively, clubbing 34 off just nine deliveries, peppered with five towering sixes.
The sixth-wicket stand between Shanaka and Janith Liyanage produced 52 runs in just 15 balls and proved the turning point, shifting the game firmly Sri Lanka’s way.
Pakistan came out swinging in reply, racing to 50 in just 19 balls with captain Salman Agha hammering 45 off 12 balls, including five fours and three sixes.
But once the field spread, Sri Lanka tightened the screws, applied the choke and forced the asking rate to spiral.
“It was a good game of cricket,” Agha said.
“We conceded too many runs, but our batting effort was good. Unfortunately, we fell short. We know we are going to play all our World Cup games in Sri Lanka and it’s important that we played in similar conditions,” he added.
