ISLAMABAD: Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on a three-day visit today, Monday, as thousands of supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan march toward the capital for an anti-government march.
Pakistan’s state media said last week that Lukashenko was expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on bilateral cooperation while several agreements would be signed between the two countries.
His visit comes at a time when thousands of supporters of jailed ex-PM Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party are headed toward Islamabad for a protest “long march.” Khan’s party is demanding his release from prison, independence of the judiciary and protesting against alleged rigging in the February national elections.
“President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko will undertake three-day visit to Pakistan from today,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
As a 68-member delegation from Belarus arrived in Pakistan’s capital on Sunday ahead of Lukashenko’s visit, Pakistan’s government described the PTI’s protest as a “deliberate conspiracy” against the country’s “honor,” vowing stern action against any persons found violating the law.
The government last week took measures to enhance security in Islamabad, sealing off key highways and motorways leading to the capital from surrounding areas with shipping containers.
Security in the capital has also been beefed up with the deployment of paramilitary forces and police while the government has suspended Internet services in areas deemed sensitive for security.
PTI CARAVAN
Meanwhile, the PTI convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur left Peshawar around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday and reached Swabi in the evening, where it was joined by protesters from across the province.
The caravan then proceeded to Ghazi Barotha near Punjab, where it encountered blockades and barriers.
Hajji Fazal Elahi, a PTI provincial lawmaker, told Arab News the party supporters were determined to reach D-Chowk, the protest venue in Islamabad.
“We will go to D-Chowk and cross all the barriers, even if it takes a day or two,” he said.
As per the latest updates, the PTI’s caravan has crossed Ghazi Barotha and reached at the Hazara Interchange.
Meanwhile, sporadic clashes erupted between law enforcers and Khan supporters near Islamabad on Sunday night after they tried to enter the capital from the nearby Rawalpindi city.
Speaking to Arab News, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, a senior PTI leader and close aide to Khan, expressed dismay at the government’s response, saying his party only wanted to hold a peaceful protest.
“There is a heavy crackdown in Rawalpindi, as they [the law enforcement officials] have shot rubber bullets, teargas and also picked up people,” he said on Sunday.
Belarus President Lukashenko to arrive in Pakistan today amid Islamabad protest
https://arab.news/ntud6
Belarus President Lukashenko to arrive in Pakistan today amid Islamabad protest
- Thousands of ex-PM Khan supporters expected to arrive in Pakistan’s capital for anti-government protest
- Pakistan, Belarus expected to sign several agreements during Aleksandr Lukashenko’s three-day visit
Pakistan to host week-long Qur’an recitation gathering at Faisal Mosque starting tonight
- Religious affairs ministry says ‘Mehfil-e-Shabeena’ will run from 21st to 27th night of Ramadan
- Daily recitations of four to five Qur’an sections to conclude with completion prayer on 27th night
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry on Tuesday said it will organize a week-long Qur’an recitation event known as “Mehfil-e-Shabeena” from the 21st to the 27th night of Ramadan at Islamabad’s iconic Faisal Mosque.
Mehfil-e-Shabeena is a devotional gathering held during Ramadan in which large portions of the Qur’an are recited at night in congregation. In Pakistan, such events are often organized during the final days of the holy month, with reciters completing the entire Qur’an over several nights of extended prayers.
“The seven-day Mehfil-e-Shabeena will formally begin today at Faisal Mosque,” the ministry said in a statement. “Each day, four to five sections of the Qur’an will be recited.”
The statement added that a special prayer will be offered on the 27th night after the completion of the recitation of the Holy Qur’an.
The event will be broadcast live on state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) and Radio Pakistan.
Renowned Qur’an reciters, known as qaris, have gathered in the capital to participate in the event.
Muslims around the world visit mosques more frequently during the last ten nights of Ramadan, considered the most blessed period of the holy month, when believers spend late hours offering voluntary prayers and reciting the Qur’an.
Muslims believe that one of these odd-numbered nights is the “Night of Power,” when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Faisal Mosque is a landmark of Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Spread over more than 54,000 square feet, it can accommodate over 250,000 worshippers at a time.
It is the largest mosque in Pakistan and among the largest mosques in the world.
Unlike traditional Islamic structures featuring domes, it was built along clean modern lines resembling the tents used by nomadic Arab tribes, with sloping roofs and a distinctive angular design.
