Pakistan praises Muslim World League for advocating Muslim causes, fostering unity

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks during a meeting with Secretary General of the World Muslim League Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Issa on the sidelines of Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summitt in Riyadh on November 11, 2024. (Photo courtesy: PMO)
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Updated 15 November 2024
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Pakistan praises Muslim World League for advocating Muslim causes, fostering unity

  • Shehbaz Sharif met with MWL Secretary-General Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa in Riyadh
  • The two figures discussed various projects and initiatives that were being planned by the two sides

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday met with Muslim World League (MWL) Secretary-General Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa and praised his organization for advocating the causes of and fostering unity among Muslim countries, Sharif’s office said.
Sharif met the secretary-general of the MWL, a Makkah-based non-governmental organization that represents followers of Islam around the world, in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, where the Pakistan premier was attending an extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit on the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, and rising tensions in the Middle East amid ongoing Israeli military campaigns.
He appreciated the “remarkable” work being done by the MWL in promoting the true image of Islam around the world, particularly lauding the leadership of the secretary-general in steering the organization.
“Muslim World League had a critical role in advocating for Muslim causes and spreading the message of fraternity, tolerance and mutual respect,” he said. “[This] is particularly important during the ongoing conflict in Gaza and various other challenges confronting the Muslim world.”
The Prime Minister recalled the secretary-general’s visit to Pakistan in April this year and said he was looking forward to early completion of various projects and initiatives that were being planned by the two sides.
He mentioned the establishment of the Seerat Musuem in Pakistan and said this noble project would be instrumental in highlighting various aspects of the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Sharif laid the foundation stone of the museum that would exhibit relics related to the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) at a ceremony in Islamabad on April 14, which was also attended by the MWL secretary-general.
Through these projects, Sharif said, the MWL was attracting the attention of younger generation and reinforcing the timeless message of Islam by using latest digital technologies. He hoped to receive the secretary-general soon in Pakistan to build on the momentum and fast track implementation of ongoing projects.
“The Secretary General of Muslim World League praised the Prime Minister for his commitment and efforts to further strengthen ties between Pakistan and Muslim Ummah,” Sharif’s office said. “He also congratulated the Prime Minister on the success of his recent visits to Saudi Arabia.”


Pakistan says it seized 32 square kilometers inside Afghanistan as border clashes escalate

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Pakistan says it seized 32 square kilometers inside Afghanistan as border clashes escalate

  • Security official describes ‘limited tactical action’ in Gudwana after Afghan assaults
  • Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering militants as UN, China and Russia urge restraint

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has seized a 32-square-kilometer area inside Afghanistan following overnight fighting, a security official said on Saturday, as cross-border clashes between the two countries escalated sharply.

A Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said troops carried out a “limited tactical action” in the Gudwana area opposite the Zhob sector along the frontier, capturing Afghan territory after responding to attacks on Pakistani positions.

“On the night of Feb. 26/27, posts opposite the Zhob sector launched anticipated physical attacks on multiple Pakistani positions,” the official said, referring to fighters linked to Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, whom Islamabad identifies as Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA).

“In response to aggressive unprovoked fire and physical attacks, Pakistan security forces launched a limited tactical action on the night of Feb. 27/28 in the general area of Gudwana with a view to capture TTA Tahir Post,” he continued, adding that 32 square kilometers of Afghan territory were seized.

The official said special combat teams crossed the border after preparatory bombardment, supported by intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets providing “real-time battlefield awareness.”

He said 24 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and 37 wounded, with no Pakistani casualties reported.

The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation from Taliban authorities in Kabul of any territorial loss in the Gudwana area.

The latest clashes erupted after Pakistani airstrikes targeted what Islamabad described as militant hideouts inside Afghanistan over the weekend, triggering retaliatory fire along the frontier and sharply escalating long-running tensions. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering Pakistani Taliban militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, an allegation that Afghanistan denies.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday evening that 352 Afghan Taliban fighters had been killed and more than 535 wounded since the latest phase of hostilities began.

Tarar said Pakistani strikes had destroyed 130 check posts, 171 tanks and armored vehicles and targeted 41 locations across Afghanistan by air. Those figures could not be independently verified.

The United Nations, as well as China and Russia, have called for restraint.

The United States said Pakistan has the right to defend itself against cross-border militancy.