ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called on the country’s interior ministry to improve coordination with provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions for security during the month of Muharram, Pakistan state media reported.
Pakistan has historically experienced sectarian violence during Muharram, a significant month for Shia Muslims who observe mourning rituals to commemorate the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grandson in the Battle of Karbala.
Ashura, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram, is the holiest event in the Shia Muslim calendar and sees hundreds of thousands of Shia Muslims take part in religious gatherings and processions to mourn the passing of Imam Hussain.
PM Sharif held a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad, wherein the two figures discussed the law and order situation during the holy month, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed to further improve harmony and coordination with provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir over security matters during Muharram and especially on Ashura,” the report read.
Muharram processions and gatherings take place amid tight security in Pakistan as militant groups have often targeted them in the past and killed of hundreds of people in the South Asian country.
Pakistan’s interior ministry said this month it had not made any decision on requests by provinces to suspend Internet service to ensure security in Muharram.
Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province also proposed a ban on all social media platforms for six days due to security concerns regarding thousands of religious processions.
Pakistan PM calls for enhanced coordination with provinces for security in Muharram
https://arab.news/ypap2
Pakistan PM calls for enhanced coordination with provinces for security in Muharram
- Ashura, 10th day of Islamic month of Muharram, is the holiest event in the Shia Muslim calendar
- It commemorates the 7th century death of Imam Hussain and his companions in Battle of Karbala
Pakistan advises citizens in Gulf to exercise caution, avoid travel after Khamenei killing
- The 86-year-old was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran
- Islamabad shares contacts of embassies and consulates to facilitate Pakistanis abroad
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday warned its citizens in the Middle East and Arabian Gulf states to exercise caution, avoid travel and strictly follow official adviseries, amid escalating tensions following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US–Israeli strikes.
Iranian state media reported that the 86-year-old was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard warned of “a severe, decisive and regret-inducing punishment” coming over Khamenei’s killing.
Israel and Iran traded new attacks Sunday, after Tehran hit both the Dubai International Airport — the world’s busiest for international traffic — and Kuwait’s main airport during its retaliatory strikes one day earlier.
As Iran’s army announced strikes targeting US bases in the Gulf and Iraqi Kurdistan, Trump threatened to unleash “force that has never been seen before” and urged Iran’s people to rise up and seize power.
“In view of the evolving regional situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to closely monitor developments and extend all necessary assistance,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
“All Pakistani nationals residing in the Gulf region are strongly advised to exercise utmost caution, remain indoors where possible, avoid unnecessary travel, and strictly adhere to the instructions and adviseries issued by the respective host governments.”
It said the CMU, which is active around the clock, could be reached for information or emergency assistance at +92-51-9207887.
Similarly, the Foreign Office shared emergency contact details of Pakistani embassies and consulates for facilitation of Pakistani nationals abroad, which are as follows:
IRAN
Embassy of Pakistan, Tehran
+98-21-669413-88/89/90/91 (landline)
+98-9107648298 (mobile)
Pakistan Consulate, Zahidan
+98-54-33223389
+98-9046145412 (mobile)
Pakistan Consulate, Mashhad
+98-9107625302 (mobile)
+98-9371807175
SAUDI ARABIA
Embassy of Pakistan, Riyadh
+966 (0)114887272 (landline)
+966(0)114884111 (landline)
+966(0)114884222 (landline)
+966 57 628 4980 (mobile)
+966 56 050 5030 (mobile)
Pakistan Consulate General Jeddah
+966(0)126689149 (landline)
+966(0)126692371 (landline)
+966 59 000 8295 (mobile)
+96653 661 7573 (mobile)
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Embassy of Pakistan, Abu Dhabi
+971 50 254 8975
Embassy Hotline
+971 2 444 7800
Pakistan Consulate General, Dubai
+971 56 647 2721
+971 (0) 4397 0412
QATAR
Community Welfare Attache-I
+974 5530 5836
Community Welfare Attache-II
+974 7791 1392
Mr. Mubashir Ahmed
+974 5090 5777
BAHRAIN
+973 1724 4113
+973 3235 1512
+973 3435 2578
+973 3407 1665
+973 3456 3037
+973 3982 6823
+973 3569 0404
+973 3535 9150
KUWAIT
Deputy Head of Mission/Head of Chancery
+965 99699513
Additional Assistant
+965 98562753
OMAN
Mr. Liaqat Ali
+968 91276197
Mr. Khadim Hussain
+968 94201095
Mr. Abdus Samad
+968 92040038
Mr. Muhammad Sajjad
+968 78596604
JORDAN
+962 77 6444546
+962 77 9444546
IRAQ
Emergency Number
+964 7834 950311
+964 7846 192482
+964 7834 950183
+964 7839 800899
SYRIA
+963 990 138 972(mobile/WhatsApp)
+963987127822(mobile/WhatsApp)
