ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday condemned the “sacrilegious storming” of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir along with a group of settlers under heavy police protection this week.
The incident came after thousands of Palestinian Muslims gathered peacefully for Eid Al-Fitr prayers at Islam’s third holiest mosque amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Ben-Gvir, who has previously staged similar displays of force, has been widely criticized by majority-Muslim nations, who called it an act of deliberate provocation during a religious festivity.
Islamabad also condemned the escalation of the Israeli onslaught against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
“Pakistan denounces Israel’s latest military offensive aimed at establishing new security corridors, including the illegal seizure of the Morag Corridor and further annexation of Palestinian land,” the foreign office said in a statement.
“Of particular concern is the sacrilegious storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex by Israeli occupying forces, during the holy occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr,” it added. “This provocative act not only violates the sanctity of one of Islam’s holiest sites but also demonstrates Israel’s determination to escalate tensions and pursue its expansionist agenda at the expense of regional peace.”
The foreign office also condemned recent Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza, including the targeting of a UN-run clinic in Jabalia sheltering displaced civilians, describing it as a violation of international humanitarian law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week announced the creation of a new security corridor known as the “Morag Corridor,” aimed at cutting off the southern city of Rafah in Gaza from Khan Younis.
The move, referencing the area around the former Israeli settlement of Morag, is part of what Netanyahu described as a broader strategy to “divide up” the Palestinian enclave and increase pressure on Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
Pakistan reiterated its support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Pakistan condemns Israeli far-right minister’s storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
https://arab.news/g2zck
Pakistan condemns Israeli far-right minister’s storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
- Incident took place as thousands of Muslims gathered at Islam’s third holiest site for Eid Al-Fitr prayers
- Itamar Ben-Gvir’s show of force drew criticism from Muslim nations who called it an act of provocation
Pakistan launches double-decker buses in Karachi after 65 years to tackle transport woes
- Karachi citizens will be able to travel in double-decker buses from Jan. 1, says Sindh government
- City faces mounting transport challenges such as lack of buses, traffic congestion, poorly built roads
ISLAMABAD: The government in Sindh province on Wednesday launched double-decker buses in the provincial capital of Karachi after a gap of 65 years, vowing to improve public transport facilities in the metropolis.
Double-decker buses are designed to carry more passengers than single-deck vehicles without taking up extra road space. The development takes place amid increasing criticism against the Sindh government regarding Karachi’s mounting public transport challenges and poor infrastructural problems.
Pakistan’s largest city by population faces severe transportation challenges due to overcrowding in buses, traffic congestion and limited bus options. Commuters, as a result, rely on private vehicles or unregulated transport options that are often unsafe and expensive.
“Double-decker buses have once again been introduced for the people of Karachi after 65 years,” a statement issued by the Sindh information ministry said.
Sindh Transportation Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah inaugurated the bus service. The ministry said the facility will be available to the public starting Jan. 1.
The statement highlighted that new electric bus routes will also be launched across the entire province starting next week. It added that the aim of introducing air-conditioned buses, low-fare services, and fare subsidies is to make public transport more accessible to the people.
The ministry noted that approximately 1.5 million people travel daily in Karachi using the People’s Bus Service, while around 75,000 passengers use the Orange Line and Green Line BRT services.
“With the integration of these routes, efforts are being made to benefit up to 100,000 additional people,” the ministry said.
