Pakistan joins Muslim states in Doha ahead of Arab-Islamic summit after Israeli strikes
Pakistan joins Muslim states in Doha ahead of Arab-Islamic summit after Israeli strikes/node/2615249/pakistan
Pakistan joins Muslim states in Doha ahead of Arab-Islamic summit after Israeli strikes
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar (left), arrives in Doha, Qatar, on September 14, 2025, to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the Ministerial meeting ahead of the Emergency Arab Islamic Summit on Israel’s attack against Qatar. (MOFA Pakistan)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Doha on Sunday ahead of the upcoming Arab-Islamic summit, the foreign ministry said, to express solidarity with Qatar in the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes that killed at least six earlier this week.
Israel carried out airstrikes at a civilian neighborhood in Doha on Tuesday in its attempt to target Hamas leaders discussing a Gaza ceasefire proposal floated by the US. Qatar has been a key mediator in ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, hosting the Palestinian group’s political bureau as part of the process.
The unprovoked strikes drew a sharp reaction from Pakistan, which condemned the Israeli military action. Pakistan’s foreign office said on Saturday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Qatar to participate in the summit being held in Doha on Sept. 15.
“Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, has arrived in Doha to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the Ministerial meeting ahead of the Emergency #ArabIslamicSummit on Israel’s attack against #Qatar,” the foreign office said.
The ministry said Dar was received by Pakistan’s ambassador to Qatar, Pakistan’s envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and senior officials of the Qatari government upon his arrival in Doha.
Pakistan’s foreign office said earlier this week that Islamabad “accords high importance to its relations with State of Qatar” and has “strongly condemned Israeli aggression against Qatar and other regional states.”
It added that Sharif’s visit underlines Pakistan’s “unwavering support for the security and sovereignty of Qatar and its commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Pakistan has also repeatedly condemned Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which has killed nearly 65,000 people, mostly women and children, since October 2023, and called for an immediate ceasefire and war-crimes accountability.
Pakistan does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and has called for a two-state solution to resolve the Middle East crisis. Pakistan supports an independent Palestinian state as per the aspirations of the Palestinian people, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital and according to the pre-1967 borders.
KARACHI: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb vowed on Sunday that the government would not allow traders to carry out artificial inflation and would take action against hoarding and arbitrage, as experts warn of a looming food supply chain disruptions caused by devastating floods in Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Floods in Pakistan’s Punjab, also referred to as the country’s breadbasket province, have wreaked havoc since late August, killing over 104 people and affecting more than 4.5 million people. Deluges have inundated thousands of fields of standing crops such as rice, sugarcane and vegetables.
Economists and traders have warned that the floods, which are now moving downstream toward the southern Sindh province, may elevate food and overall inflation in the coming months due to crop losses and supply chain disruptions. This has sparked fears of traders hoarding products to create an artificial shortage and selling them at inflated rates later.
“We [government] will not allow arbitrage to take place, hoarding to take place,” Aurangzeb told reporters during a visit to a flood relief camp in the eastern Toba Tek Singh city.
“Because this is wrong, there should not be artificial intelligence. So, we are looking at both the structural level and the administrative level, and god willing, will continue to take administrative measures against the hoarders.”
The minister said that while a lot of the destruction was triggered by climate change effects in Pakistan, some of it was also “self-inflicted.”
“We also have to see where we have to keep the population, where we have to do farming, where we have to build our [housing] societies and what their zoning laws should be,” Aurangzeb said.
“I think it’s about time we also think about the self-inflicted pain.”
Aurangzeb said the government will assess the damages that the floods have inflicted on Pakistan’s economy within the next 10-15 days as floodwaters recede.
“And on that basis, we will proceed together with everyone on a comprehensive basis,” he said.
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said a fresh spell of monsoon rains across the upper catchment of the country’s major rivers was expected next week, warning it could trigger flooding in streams and nullahs as the death toll from flooding and downpours since late August reached 104.
Floods in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province since late August have wreaked havoc, affecting more than 4.5 million people and inundating over 4,700 settlements, causing damage to livestock and thousands of acres of crops. Heavy monsoon rains and excess water released by Indian dams have caused rivers Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej in Punjab to swell and overflow downstream, raising the risks of catastrophic floods in southern Sindh province.
Nationwide, the death toll from rain-related incidents since Jun. 26 has reached 972, with the highest number of casualties reported from the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, 504.
“Met Office has informed that a fresh westerly wave will cause scattered thunderstorm/rain of moderate intensity over the upper catchments of all major rivers during 16th to 19th September,” the PDMA Punjab said in its weather advisory on Saturday.
The PDMA Punjab said it has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to remain on alert due to the possibility of flooding in streams and nullahs across the province during the rains.
“Citizens are requested to take precautionary measures during adverse weather conditions,” the statement quoted DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia as saying. “Avoid gathering near rivers and refrain from recreational activities there.”
Meanwhile, the water levels at almost all locations in river Chenab have been recorded as “steady,” while at Sidhnai Headworks in river Ravi it was recorded at a “rising” level of 40,325 cusecs. This indicates the floods have been moving downstream into southern Sindh province.
Meanwhile the water level at Guddu Barrage, one of the two main barrages that channel waters into southern and central Sindh, was recorded at 561,205 cusecs at a high flood level.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned in its latest situation report on Sept. 13 that River Indus at Guddu Barrage is expected to remain at a high flood level for the next 24 hours and attain a “very high flood level” from Sept. 14-15.
It said the water level at Panjnad Headworks, the confluence of the Sutlej and Chenab rivers, is expected to decline from an exceptionally high flood level to a high flood level in the next 24 hours.
In its latest report, the PDMA informed that it has set up 372 relief camps and 459 medical camps in flood-affected districtswhile 391 veterinary camps have been established to treat animals.
The disaster management authority said it has shifted over 2.5 million people and 2.02 million animals to safe places.
IMF ASSESSING FLOOD DAMAGES
Meanwhile, as Pakistan reels from the floods, a top International Monetary Fund (IMF) official in Pakistan said on Saturday his organization is assessing damages caused by the deluges and will use its next review mission to evaluate appropriate policy responses to support affected people and strengthen national resilience.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the people of Pakistan as they endure the devastating floods,” said Mahir Binici, Resident Representative of the IMF in Pakistan. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life.”
“An assessment of the flood damage caused by torrential monsoon rains is still ongoing, as the situation continues to evolve,” he continued.
“The upcoming EFF review mission provides an opportunity to discuss the appropriate policy response to support flood-affected populations and protect the most vulnerable.”
Binici also noted that both the EFF and the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) provide frameworks crucial for external and financial stability amid these natural calamities.
The RSF, approved in May, offers Pakistan around $1.4 billion to help build economic resilience against climate vulnerabilities and disasters, though its disbursement depends on successful reviews under the EFF.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced immediate relief for households in flood-hit districts, ordering power distribution companies to suspend collection of August electricity bills and adjust any payments already received in the next billing cycle.
KARACHI: The foreign ministries of Ƶ, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkiye this week condemned militant attacks in northwestern Pakistan that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers, extending condolences to the victims’ families.
Pakistan’s military announced on Saturday that 19 soldiers and 45 militants had been killed in separate clashes this week near the country’s border with Afghanistan in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
In one of these clashes, thirteen militants affiliated with the Pakistani Taliban were killed in an encounter in the South Waziristan district, the military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), adding that 12 soldiers also died in the clash. In another statement released later in the day, the military mentioned yet another incident in Lower Dir District where an intelligence-based operation on Sept. 11 led to the killing of 10 more militants. It disclosed that the shootout also led to the death of seven more soldiers.
“The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Ƶ’s condemnation of the terrorist attack that targeted Pakistani soldiers in northwest Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of several people,” Ƶ’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
| The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Ƶ’s condemnation of the terrorist attack that targeted Pakistani soldiers in northwest Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of several people.
— Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN)
The UAE also strongly condemned the attack, announcing its “permanent rejection” of all forms of violence and “terrorism” aimed at undermining security and stability.
UAE Condemns Terrorist Attack on Military Convoy in Northwest Pakistan
— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae)
The foreign ministry of Kuwait issued a similar statement, conveying its condolences to the Pakistani government and people, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
بيان صادر عن وزارة الخارجية
السبت 13 سبتمبر 2025
تعرب وزارة الخارجية عن إدانة دولة الكويت للهجوم الإرهابي الذي استهدف قافلة عسكرية في شمالي غرب جمهورية باكستان الإسلامية، والذي تسبب في سقوط عدد من القتلى والمصابين.
وإذ تؤكّد الوزارة مجدداً موقف دولة الكويت الثابت والرافض لكافة…
— وزارة الخارجية (@MOFAKuwait)
Statement | Qatar Condemns Attack on Military Convoy in Pakistan
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN)
SHARIF ASKS AFGHANISTAN TO ‘CHOOSE’
After visiting wounded troops at northwestern Bannu’s Combined Military Hospital on Saturday, Sharif asked Afghanistan to “choose” between militancy and Pakistan.
Pakistani officials frequently accuse the administration in Kabul of facilitating cross-border attacks, a charge Afghan authorities rejected, saying Pakistan’s security troubles were domestic.
“Terrorists come from Afghanistan and, together with the TTP, these khawarij join forces to martyr our soldiers, our brothers and sisters and ordinary citizens,” the Pakistani prime minister said, referring to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militant group.
“Today I want to send a clear message to Afghanistan,” he added. “Choose one of two paths. If they wish to establish relations with Pakistan with genuine goodwill, sincerity and honesty, we are ready for that. But if they choose to side with terrorists and support them, then we will have nothing to do with the Afghan interim government.”
Pakistan has been struggling to contain surging militancy in KP, which borders Afghanistan, since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and the state broke down in November 2022.
The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and checkpoints, as well as carried out targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
ISLAMABAD: All eyes will be on Dubai as an unpredictable Pakistan cricket team takes on arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Stadium today, Sunday, in arguably the most anticipated clash of the Asia Cup tournament so far.
This is the first cricket match between the Asian giants after the militaries of both countries engaged in a days-long battle in May. Over 70 people were killed on both sides of the border as India and Pakistan attacked each other with drones, fighter jets, missiles and artillery fire before Washington brokered a truce on May 10.
India will head into the match as favorites, having won the last couple of encounters between the two sides in the shortest format of the game. A new-look Pakistan squad without former skipper Babar Azam and ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan will look to deliver a decisive blow to India in the Asia Cup tournament under new leader Salman Ali Agha.
Speaking to the reporters on Saturday night, Pakistan’s left-handed opener Saim Ayub said his team was not just looking forward to beating India, but also lifting the Asia Cup.
“It’s a big game, and fans from both countries care deeply about it,” Ayub said. “But it’s important for us to follow our processes in the same way, and work on improving our execution.”
Pakistan head into the match with some confidence as well, winning the tri-nation series against the UAE and Afghanistan last week. The Green Shirts opened their account in the Asia Cup courtesy of a dominating 93-run victory over minnows Oman on Friday.
India also enjoyed an impressive start to the tournament, beating the UAE by nine wickets. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s side chased UAE’s paltry 58-run target in just 4.3 overs and with nine wickets to spare earlier this week.
India have a strong bowling attack in the form of Jasprit Bumrah and spinners Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy. Pakistan will look to their pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and spinners Sufyan Moqeem, Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz to deliver the goods.
Agha and Ayub can also function as part-time spinners for Pakistan will Faheem Ashraf can be used as a seamer for the Green Shirts.
India have a strong batting lineup with the explosive Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson and skipper Yadav in the top order. Pakistan will look for their aggressive batters Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz to strike the ball hard against India’s spin attack to post a formidable score on the board.
India and Pakistan do not play against each other bilaterally due to political tensions. Both countries only face off at multi-nation tournaments and at neutral venues.
India resisted calls to boycott the Asia Cup T20 group-stage match between the two countries, who have not played in any bilateral series since the deadly attacks in Mumbai in 2008 that Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants, a charge Islamabad denied.
The match between the two sides is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. as per Pakistan Standard Time.
ISLAMABAD: As Saqlain Arshad, 25, steps into a colorful kennel, Paal, a tracker dog at the Islamabad police’s Canine Unit, stands ready to join duty. This time, however, it is not an outside assignment but a mock training session that handlers regularly conduct to keep these dogs, whom their handlers proudly call “silent heroes,” in shape to take up field assignments.
Arshad holds out a cap belonging to a colleague who hid a few hundred feet away. As soon as he loosens the leash, Paal leaps and pauses briefly to scent the cap before heading straight to the target crouched behind a car. Upon finding the target, Muhammad Salman, the unit’s 60-year-old supervisor, tosses a tennis ball that Paal catches midair — his reward for a job well done.
Daily rehearsals like these ensure Islamabad police dogs are always prepared and prove their effectiveness in tracking drugs and criminals. Police solved one such case this year, when they received a missing complaint about 28-year-old Hamza Khan, who left his home in Islamabad for Mansehra on March 15, but never returned, with his family naming a retired Islamabad police superintendent, Arif Shah, as the last person Khan had gone to meet over a financial dispute.
Shah claimed Khan had left for the capital after their meeting him, a claim seemingly supported by the last known location of Khan’s phone in Islamabad, though the device was found dumped at a greenbelt in the city days later. On April 15, police took Paal and his two-year-old companion, Mofe, to Shah’s residence and investigators placed Khan’s clothes in front of Paal.
“While sniffing those articles, because of the footprints, he reached his target, and we found the dead body [buried at Shah’s home],” Arshad, Paal’s handler, told Arab News.
The photograph taken on September 4, 2025, shows statues of a police officer and a canine at the entrance of the Islamabad Police Canine Unit in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AN Photo)
Khan’s body had been hidden inside an animal shed and Paal led officers directly to the site. For his role, Arshad was awarded Rs100,000 ($352) and Paal received special recognition certificate.
Paal and Mofe are among 19 canine officers procured from the Army Canine Center in Rawalpindi, when Islamabad police established its Canine Unit in Nov. 2024 under the Bomb Disposal Squad.
“Initially, we got 11 handlers trained for three months at the Army Canine Center, while the rest were trained in-house,” said Umer Saleem Khan, head of the unit.
Currently, the unit maintains 13 dogs, trained in explosives and arms detection, four for narcotics, and two tracker dogs. The explosives team is trained to detect 12 types of devices, while narcotics dogs are trained on more than half a dozen substances.
The photograph taken on September 4, 2025, shows entrance of the Islamabad Police Canine Unit in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AN Photo)
“The training process is separate for all dogs,” Salman, supervisor of the Canine Unit, told Arab News. “Those who are for explosives [searching], they have separate [training modules], narcotics [dogs] have separate.”
Explosive detection dogs conduct daily clearance searches at sensitive installations in the capital each morning, including the president’s and the prime minister’s offices and the Supreme Court, while narcotics and suspect trackers are deployed upon requests by police stations.
Each dog works in half-hour shifts before being given up to 45-minute rest, after which they can be redeployed.
Veterinary staff at the unit say puppies learn very quickly.
“By the time they are six months old, they can already be put to professional work and remain effective for five to six years,” said Haider Ali, a veterinarian who has been with the unit since joining four months ago.
Police dogs inside their kennels at the Islamabad Police Canine Unit in Islamabad, Pakistan, on September 4, 2025. (AN Photo)
All dogs in the unit were procured through the Army Canine Center, which introduced breeds through the British Army. Labrador retrievers are often trained for tracking due to their lineage, while Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds are primarily used for search operations.
To keep them healthy, the dogs are treated like athletes.
Their diet consists of protein-rich meals twice a day, including chicken necks, rice and specialized feed. Two veterinary doctors, one for each shift, monitor their health, while each dog undergoes a checkup before and after deployment.
“Our main focus here is timely treatment, vaccination, and deworming,” Ali said. “This is essential not only for their health but also for the safety of the handlers working with them.”
Veterinarian Haider Ali poses for a photograph with canine officers at the Islamabad Police Canine Unit in Islamabad, Pakistan, on September 4, 2025. (AN Photo)
The sense of smell of dogs, far superior to humans’, allows them to detect traces and follow trails that technology can miss, which is why these canine officers continue to play a vital role worldwide.
“These are silent heroes, all our dogs,” said Umer, the unit’s in-charge. “You do not see them in the field, but to secure Islamabad, their role is very crucial.”
