ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar met Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Friday and discussed bilateral cooperation, appreciating the Kingdom for facilities for pilgrims during this month’s Hajj, Pakistani state media said.
More than 1.83 million Muslims performed the Hajj this year, including more than 1.6 million from 22 countries, and around 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, according to Saudi Hajj authorities. Among them were around 160,000 Pakistanis.
During a meeting with the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Dar “appreciated the facilities extended by Saudi Arabia to Hujjaj during the Hajj.”
The two leaders also discussed “bilateral cooperation and key areas of mutual interest and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen their strategic bilateral partnership.”
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have close diplomatic ties and the Kingdom is home to over two million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top source of remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.
Dar also separately met United States Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidon on Friday.
Pakistan deputy PM meets Saudi envoy, appreciates facilities for pilgrims during Hajj
https://arab.news/ztsse
Pakistan deputy PM meets Saudi envoy, appreciates facilities for pilgrims during Hajj
- Over 1.83 million Muslims performed Hajj this year
- Among them were around 160,000 Pakistanis
Government says Imran Khan’s ‘detailed’ medical report shared, family disputes claim
- Khan underwent an eye procedure last month, PTI says family was not informed
- Ex-PM’s sister says only brief notes provided despite Supreme Court assurance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government said on Friday a “detailed” medical report of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan had been shared with his family following directions from the prime minister’s office, even as Khan’s relatives disputed the claim and accused jail authorities of withholding information.
Concerns over Khan’s health were raised by his family and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party last month after the government confirmed he was taken from prison to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for a brief eye procedure. Authorities said at the time that Khan’s condition was stable and the treatment routine, while PTI leaders said they were not informed in advance and questioned the lack of transparent medical disclosure.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the report was prepared by PIMS and had been forwarded to the prison authorities and handed over to Khan’s family.
“A letter was written by the Leader of the Opposition to the Prime Minister and PTI Leaders also approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan regarding medical check up of Mr. Imran Ahmad [Khan] Niazi who is serving his sentences in Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala),” he said in a social media post on X.
“On directions from Prime Minister’s Office, a detailed report has been sent by Executive Director PIMS Hospital to the Superintendent of Central Jail Rawalpindi (Adiala) which has been handed over to the family,” he added.
https://x.com/TararAttaullah/status/2019749131049381901?s=20
However, the former prime minister’s sister Aleema Khan said they had not received complete medical reports, despite assurances given by the country’s top judge.
“The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court committed last Friday that Imran Khan’s medical reports would be provided to his family,” she said on X. “Today, when the jail superintendent appeared before the ATC [Anti-Terrorism Court], only two brief notes were submitted.”
https://x.com/Aleema_KhanPK/status/2019738410873741643?s=20
She said the government’s conduct reflected a disregard for the court’s order, urging the Chief Justice of Pakistan to issue a contempt notice to the jail authorities and ensure that Khan’s medical reports were handed over to his family without further delay.
The dispute has renewed tensions surrounding Khan’s incarceration, which has become a flashpoint in Pakistan’s deeply polarized politics.
Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, has been in prison since August 2023 following multiple convictions that he and his party say are politically motivated, a charge the government denies.
