PM played key role in Iran-Israel ceasefire: Naqvi

Says Pakistan did not suffer much damage during conflict with India

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had played a key role in Iran-Israel ceasefire after the two countries carried out attacks against each other for 12 days.
PM Shehbaz also held a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Pezeshkian, where the latter thanked the premier and appreciated Pakistan’s consistent and principled stance in support of Tehran.
Speaking during a presser alongside religious scholars regarding security measures for the month of Muharram, Naqvi also touched upon the recent Pakistan-India conflict, saying that the country did not suffer much loss.
“None of the missiles fired by India reached their target. India fired about 11 missiles at a [military] base [in Pakistan], but none of our aircraft was damaged,” he said while shedding light on the 87-hour-long conflict which saw both Islamabad and New Delhi carrying out cross-border attacks against each other.
On the issue of security during Muharram and sectarian harmony, the minister said that the efforts of law enforcement agencies are as important as those of religious scholars.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary underlined the need for unity to ensure law and order during Muharram as well as to defeat the terrorist elements.
Mohsin Naqvi stressed the crucial role of religious scholars in ensuring peace during the month of Muharram.
Stringent security measures are being taken across the country, such as army deployment as well as a crackdown on sectarian content and hate mongers, ahead of Ashura (Muharram 10), which will be observed on Sunday.
“It is not enough how much we thank you for your role — the heads and ulema of all sects — in Muharram, as everyone has a role in this,” Naqvi said as he met with scholars from various schools of thought in Islamabad.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, chairman of the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee, were also present during the meeting.
Naqvi highlighted that the efforts of law enforcement agencies during Muharram were as important as those of religious scholars, according to a post on X by the interior ministry.
The government today officially notified July 5 and July 6 (Saturday and Sunday) as public holidays on account of Ashura, both for offices observing a five- and six-day working week.
During the meeting, Naqvi noted that ulema remained in “constant communication” with the administration during Muharram and “solved minor disputes”.
He requested Maulana Azad, as well as other scholars, to collectively offer Zuhr prayers at Islamabad’s Faisal Mosque on August 14. “This will give a message to the whole world that we are all united, and there is no better day than the 14th of August.”
Chaudhry also credited religious scholars for dealing with terrorism, sectarianism, and maintaining peace during the month of Muharram.
On his part, Maulana Azad affirmed that they all were united for the country’s security.
Speaking about the uptick in terrorism in KP, Naqvi called on the ulema to engage with religious scholars in the province, offering his cooperation in the matter.
“This terrorism will only end on the condition that the locals there do not help them,” he said.