Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged Arab and Islamic countries to stand together to protect Al-Aqsa Mosque and defend the rights of the Palestinian people amid the worsening situation in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank. Speaking at a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem in Amman, Jordan, Dar said Muslim nations must adopt a united and coordinated approach to preserve the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy sites. He stressed that immediate action is needed to stop violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque and maintain the site’s historical and legal status. Dar said the international community must ensure unrestricted access to Jerusalem’s holy places and prevent any attempts to alter their religious or historical character. He added that continued Israeli actions threaten regional stability and undermine prospects for a lasting peace. The foreign minister strongly opposed Israeli settlement expansion, annexation efforts, forced displacement of Palestinians and demographic changes in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem. He said such measures violate international law and several United Nations Security Council resolutions. He also called for the complete implementation of the Gaza peace plan and all relevant UN resolutions. Dar welcomed diplomatic efforts by the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, expressing hope that all parties would honour their commitments and move the peace process forward. Referring to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Dar said the ceasefire had brought limited relief, but conditions remained critical. He noted that millions of Palestinians continue to face severe food shortages, displacement and insecurity despite recent progress. Dar urged Muslim countries to strengthen diplomatic efforts to ensure international protection for Palestinians and hold those responsible for violations of international law accountable. He said justice and respect for international law are essential for achieving sustainable peace. Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding support for Palestine, Dar said Israel has no sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The minister also warned that continued attacks on religious sites could inflame tensions across the Muslim world and increase the risk of wider regional conflict. The ministerial meeting concluded with a joint declaration by Arab and Muslim foreign ministers announcing the creation of a permanent mechanism to document Israeli violations in Jerusalem and at its Islamic and Christian holy sites. The mechanism will include a media platform to record incidents involving worshippers and religious sites and present documented evidence before international organisations and the global community. The declaration reaffirmed that East Jerusalem remains an occupied territory and rejected all unilateral measures aimed at changing its legal or demographic status. It also stressed that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace in the region. On the sidelines of the meeting, Dar held separate discussions with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, Jordan and Somalia. The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, reviewing regional developments and coordinating diplomatic efforts on the Palestinian issue.

KARACHI: Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed has identified 14 serious deficiencies in the post-mortem examination of Mir Raza Ali and formally raised concerns with the police, calling for a thorough review of the forensic findings. In a letter addressed to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) District East, Dr Summaiya questioned the quality and completeness of the autopsy report prepared by Dr Osama Sheikh. She highlighted several procedural and forensic shortcomings that, according to her, could affect the accuracy and credibility of the investigation. According to the letter, no X-rays were conducted on the body before or during the post-mortem examination. Dr Summaiya stated that such imaging is a standard forensic requirement and can help identify bullet trajectories, fractures and other internal injuries that may not be visible during a routine examination. She further pointed out that no chemical analysis was carried out to determine the presence of gunpowder residue around the entry wound. The absence of such testing, she noted, limits the ability to determine the firing distance and other important forensic details. The police surgeon also stated that the internal examination of the skull and neck was not performed. She said these examinations are essential in cases involving firearm injuries, particularly when determining the exact cause of death and the path of the bullet. Dr Samia’s letter also criticised the documentation process followed during the autopsy. She said no measurement scale was used while recording the injuries, making it difficult to accurately assess the size of the wounds. She added that photographs of the injuries were not taken in accordance with accepted forensic standards. She further observed that the report did not adequately explain the bone characteristics associated with the entry and exit wounds, making the injury assessment incomplete. The letter also highlighted that the nature and stage of decomposition of the body had not been clearly described in the report. According to Dr Summaiya, documenting decomposition is important in estimating the time of death and assessing the condition of the body. Another major concern raised was the reported size of the wounds. The post-mortem report recorded the entry wound as significantly larger than the exit wound, a finding Dr Summaiya described as unusual and requiring immediate re-examination and verification. She also questioned the identification process, stating that although the face of the deceased was reportedly unrecognisable, no DNA sample was collected to scientifically confirm the identity of the body. Dr Summaiya urged the investigating authorities to carefully review the post-mortem findings and address the identified shortcomings to ensure that the forensic investigation meets professional standards and supports a fair and transparent legal process.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar has called for the creation of more provinces, saying Pakistan cannot be effectively governed through the existing four provinces or by the influence of a few political families. Speaking after arriving at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi, Sattar said the country needs a more inclusive and participatory federal structure with additional provinces to ensure balanced governance and fair representation. He said the movement for administrative reforms would continue until the establishment of more provinces across the country. According to Sattar, creating new provinces is essential for improving governance, strengthening the federation and addressing regional disparities. The MQM-P leader also praised the country’s leadership for demonstrating resilience during challenging times. He commended Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the nation for showing determination and courage. Sattar reiterated that constitutional and administrative reforms are necessary to build a stronger and more representative Pakistan, adding that decentralisation would help improve public service delivery and promote national unity.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara commemorated Kashmir Exploitation Day with national spirit and dignity, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and their right to self-determination. The event marked seven years since India’s August 5, 2019, decision to revoke the special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. Participants reiterated solidarity with the Kashmiri people and called for a peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. The ceremony was attended by prominent Turkish political leaders, diplomats, academics, members of parliament, representatives of think tanks, members of the diplomatic corps, media personnel, and members of the Pakistani and Turkish communities. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by special messages from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The messages reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle and urged the international community to play an effective role in implementing UN Security Council resolutions on the Kashmir dispute. Chairman of the Geopolitical Foresight Institute, retired Major General Goray Alpar, highlighted the strategic and geographical importance of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the people of Pakistan and Türkiye share deep historical, cultural, and brotherly ties. He also warned that India’s unilateral actions, constitutional changes, and attempts to use shared water resources as political leverage could threaten peace and stability across the region. SESRIC Director General and former Turkish minister Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk reaffirmed the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s principled stance on the Kashmir issue. She said a just and lasting solution could only be achieved by allowing the people of Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination in line with UN Security Council resolutions. She also drew parallels between the situations in Kashmir and Palestine, urging the international community to fulfil its responsibilities in pursuing a fair and durable solution. Turkish parliamentarian and Deputy Chairman of the Felicity Party, Mustafa Kaya, strongly criticised India’s policies in Indian-administered Kashmir, describing them as “demographic terrorism.” He said efforts to alter the region’s demographic composition, deprive local residents of land rights, and implement settlement policies similar to those seen elsewhere would not suppress the Kashmiri people’s aspirations for freedom. In his concluding remarks, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, thanked the Turkish government and people for their continued support on the Kashmir issue. He alleged that India was pursuing a policy of demographic change in the region by issuing millions of domicile certificates to non-local residents while maintaining restrictions on independent media and continuing state repression. The ambassador said India’s unilateral constitutional measures could not change the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed that lasting peace, security, and stability in South Asia depended on a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute and reiterated Pakistan’s call for a free, fair, and impartial UN-supervised plebiscite to allow the Kashmiri people to determine their political future.