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.