PESHAWAR: Sher Zamin Khan, a 74-year-old from Peshawar, lives 17 kilometers away but has faithfully attended Friday prayers at the historic Mahabat Khan Mosque since 1989.
Khan’s dedication reflects the mosque’s allure, not just as a place of worship but as a beacon of historical and cultural significance, attracting visitors from near and far, including those from other countries, to experience its ancient legacy and communal spirit.
Located in Peshawar’s ancient walled city, the Mahabat Khan Mosque, an architectural gem from the 17th century Mughal era built under the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan, becomes a bustling hub of spirituality, especially during Ramadan, drawing worshippers in large numbers.
Named after the Mughal governor of the city at the time, the mosque has faced the ravages of time, including looting and damage during the Sikh invasion and the notorious governance of Ranjit Singh’s chosen General Paolo Avitabile, who is said to have used its minaret for executions.
“I have been coming to this mosque since 1989,” Khan said while speaking to Arab News. “I used to come [here] only for the Friday prayer [back then]. At that time, the mosque wasn’t like this. The outside floor wasn’t paved and had a small pond which contained fish.”
He agreed that there was always a bigger influx of worshippers during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan when people offer the special Tarawih night prayer in which the Holy Qur’an is recited in full over a span of nearly four weeks.
“During Ramadan, when I come to the mosque, I don’t get a space even [in the] outside [lawn],” he continued.
The Mahabat Khan Mosque stands out for its Mughal architectural style, featuring a spacious courtyard, a blue-tiled ablution pool and elaborate decorations with floral designs and Arabic calligraphy.
It has undergone significant restoration efforts to preserve its historical essence. Today, it remains a vibrant place of worship and a heritage site, drawing visitors to its stunning architectural details and serving as a testament to Peshawar’s rich culture.
68-year-old Zahir Khan, who is a member of the mosque managing committee, said he learned how to read the Qur’an as a child under the same roof and witnessed how its ancient domes and arches drew people from far off places.
“Masjid Mahabat Khan is 400 to 450 years old, and a lot of people from foreign countries, including the Arab and other states, visit this place,” he said.
“People coming from others countries [to Peshawar] want to visit this place as it is a historical mosque,” He continued. “They want to see its history that there is such a place [in the city].”
Asked about the rising numbers of worshippers in Ramadan, he said: “Praise be to God, we are Muslims. This is a historic mosque, and a lot of people worship here [in Ramadan].”
Zia Ur Rehman, a 31-year-old Peshawar resident, said people visiting the walled city always wished to offer their prayers at this mosque.
“In Ramadan, all those who come to explore the adjoining City Bazar always come to the mosque to offer their prayers.”
Peshawar’s Mahabat Khan Mosque, a Mughal gem, draws worshippers in droves during Ramadan
https://arab.news/29xs4
Peshawar’s Mahabat Khan Mosque, a Mughal gem, draws worshippers in droves during Ramadan
- Built during Shah Jahan’s reign, the 17th century mosque attracts visitors from near and far, including other countries
- The Mahabat Khan Mosque features a spacious courtyard and decorations with floral designs and Arabic calligraphy
Pakistan to sell excess gas in international markets from Jan.1— petroleum minister
- Pakistan was reportedly exploring ways to reduce $378 million in annual losses from supply glut caused by excess fuel imports
- Move to sell excess LNG in international markets will limit $3.56 billion losses caused since 2018-19, says petroleum minister
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will sell its excess liquefied natural gas (LNG) in international markets from Jan. 1, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said, revealing the move would limit losses caused from a years-long supply glut.
Local and international media outlets had reported in July that Pakistan was exploring ways to sell excess LNG cargoes amid a gas supply glut that government officials said was costing domestic producers $378 million in annual losses. News reports had said Pakistan had at least three LNG cargoes in excess that it imported from Qatar and has no immediate use for.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference on Sunday, Malik said there was an excess of imported gas in Pakistan as the use of this fuel for power generation had reduced in the country during the past few months. He said Islamabad had been forced to sell the gas to local consumers, due to which the circular debt in the gas sector from 2018 till now had ballooned to around Rs1,000 billion [$3.56 billion].
“From Jan. 1 we will sell this excess fuel in international markets to reduce our burden and limit our losses of this Rs1,000 billion [$3.56 billion],” Malik said.
He said this move would also allow Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises in the sector to operate on their full capacity and generate profits and employment.
Malik also spoke of foreign oil companies that were ready to invest millions in the country in the near future.
The minister cited the recent visit of Turkish energy minister to Pakistan which had resulted in the state-owned Turkish Petroleum signing deals to carry out onshore and offshore drilling activities in Pakistan.
“Turkish Petroleum will also open its office in Islamabad, where 10 to 15 Turkish nationals will be working,” Malik said.
He also said that a delegation of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) visit Pakistan this week, adding that it was also expected to collaborate with local companies for oil and gas exploration.
The minister said SOCAR was also opening its office in Pakistan.
“It will also invest millions of dollars in the construction of an oil pipeline from Machike to Thalian in collaboration with the PSO (Pakistan State Oil) and FWO (Frontier Works Organization),” Malik said.
