KARACHI: Hundreds of protesters in Pakistan on Sunday burned effigies of France's leader and chanted anti-French slogans, as President Emmanuel Macron tried to send a message of understanding to Muslims around the world.
The demonstrations, which followed anti-France protests across the Muslim world last week, came after President Macron's interview late Saturday in which he said that he understood the shock Muslims felt at caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Macron was speaking with the Qatar-based Arabic TV station Al-Jazeera, where he also defended freedoms of expression and France's secular values.
Macron’s office said the interview was aimed at clarifying misunderstandings around France’s position and the president's words which they say have been taken out of context.
“I have never said that,” Macron told the Al-Jazeera interviewer, explaining that some false translations of his words in the media showed him to support the cartoons mocking Prophet Muhammad. “Those are lies.”
Macron explained that all religions are subject to the freedom of expression and “these drawings.”
“I understand and respect that people can be shocked by these cartoons,” he said. “But I will never accept that someone can justify the use of physical violence because of these cartoons. And I will always defend freedom of speech in my country, of thought, of drawing.”
The interview set off a storm on social media, as many argued the Qatari station erred by giving space to the French President, whom they said failed to apologize for offending Muslims.
Some criticized Macron for choosing Al-Jazeera, a station that has been at the center of political disputes between Arab Gulf nations and Turkey and viewed by many as giving airtime to hardliners and Islamist groups, outlawed in many countries in the Middle East.
But for others, Macron's appearance on Al-Jazeera was hailed as a success of the protest and boycott campaigns, which have forced the French president to address Muslims through an Arabic-speaking channel.
The protests in Muslim-majority nations over the last week, and calls for boycotts of French products, began initially after Macron eulogized a French teacher in Paris who was decapitated for showing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in class. Two attacks followed on a group of worshippers in a church in Nice, and a Greek priest in Lyon.
Islamist groups and hardliners around the Muslim world have rallied their supporters against the caricatures and the French government’s staunch secularist stance, keeping up protests over the last week targeting Macron.
On Sunday in the Pakistani city of Karachi, hundreds of supporters of the main Islamist party, Jaamat-e-Islami, set an effigy of Macron on fire. The crowd of about 500 chanted against Macron and called for the boycott of French products.
The crowd, which was smaller in number after larger rallies over the past days, marched toward the French Consulate in the city while security cordoned off the area.
Earlier Sunday in Karachi, Shiite students marched for three kilometers (1.8 miles) chanting and pledging to sacrifice their lives for the honor of Islam and its prophet. Some 500 students, including a couple hundred women, dragged French flags on the floor and carried pictures of Macron. One banner depicted Marcon’s face with a big cross.
“We condemn blasphemy of Islam and Prophet Muhammad by French President,” read a slogan scribbled on a French flag.
The well-organized crowd wearing face masks were chanting praise for Prophet Muhammad.
In the central Pakistani city of Multan, hundreds of merchants rallied in a demonstration to call for a boycott of French products. The crowd also burned an effigy of Macron and chanted: “Muslims cannot tolerate blasphemy of their prophet” and “the civilized world should give proof of being civilized.”
In Lebanon's capital of Beirut, a dozen protesters marched to the French Embassy in the Lebanese capital, raising banners that read: “Anything but Prophet Muhammad,” and chanted in defense of Islam. Security was tight around the embassy.
In Ahmedabad, a city in India's Gujarat state, protesters pasted photographs of Macron onto streets overnight, leaving them for pedestrians and passing vehicles to go over on Sunday.
Anti-France protests were held by Muslim groups on Friday in Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital, and Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh state.
Anti-France protests continue in Pakistan, as Macron seeks understanding
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Anti-France protests continue in Pakistan, as Macron seeks understanding
- Hundreds of supporters of Pakistan’s main religious political party, Jaamat-e-Islami, set effigy of Macron on fire
- The interview set off a storm on social media, as many argued the Qatari station erred by giving space to the French President
Pakistan Hajj mission delivers vital health care to pilgrims with over 300 staffers
- Pakistan’s Hajj Medical Mission has so far treated more than 11,000 pilgrims
- The mission has set up two hospitals, 11 dispensaries in Makkah and Madinah
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Hajj Medical Mission (PHMM), which comprises over 300 doctors and paramedics, has treated more than 11,000 pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah over the past three weeks, the PHMM head said on Sunday.
This year’s Hajj is expected to take place between June 4 and June 9, with nearly 112,620 Pakistanis set to perform the annual pilgrimage. Of these, approximately 89,000 will travel under the government scheme, while 23,620 will go through private tour operators.
“The Pakistan Hajj Medical Mission 2025 consisted of 301 doctors and paramedical staff from both civilian and armed forces backgrounds, including 72 lady doctors and female health workers,” Col. Dr. Shaheer Jamal, the PHMM director, told Arab News over the phone from Makkah.
“We have treated over 11,194 pilgrims so far and are currently attending to an average of about 2,000 pilgrims daily in Makkah and 40 in Madinah, mostly suffering from dehydration.”
The mission includes medical specialists, surgeons, cardiologists, orthopedic specialists, gynecologists, dermatologists, ENT specialists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, public health specialists and physiotherapists, according to Dr. Jamal.
It has established two hospitals, one each in Makkah and Madinah, along with nine dispensaries in Makkah and two in Madinah.
“Separate wards of 30 beds each had been established for men and women in the central hospital in Makkah, while in Madinah, a small hospital with 11 beds was set up,” he said, adding that their teams were working in three shifts to provide 24/7 care to pilgrims.
Other departments at the mission include emergency, isolation ward, pharmacy, pathology, minor OT, dental, and radiology, the official added.
For patients needing further medical assistance, Dr. Jamal said, the mission had reached an agreement with the Saudi German Hospital which has been treating Pakistani pilgrims both in Makkah and Madinah.
“So far, we have referred 30 patients to the Saudi German Hospital in Makkah and Madinah,” he shared.
The PHMM chief said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Ministry of Health have extended full support in the establishment of the hospitals and the transfer of medicines and medical equipment to the Kingdom.
He said all medicines had been tested before being brought to Saudi Arabia and were being provided to pilgrims free of cost.
The medical plan for the core Hajj days in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah will follow a multi-layered approach, according to the official. Saudi health authorities will assume primary responsibility of providing comprehensive health care services to all pilgrims.
“However, to support Pakistani pilgrims specifically, the Pakistan Hajj Medical Mission deployed its own medical staff in Mina with the first aid kits to provide initial medical assistance, ensuring timely primary care before referring patients to larger Saudi facilities, if needed,” Dr. Jamal said.
Due to extreme weather conditions, the mission has proactively prepared and is disseminating educational materials specifically designed to guide pilgrims on how to prevent heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.
“This guidance includes advice on hydration, appropriate clothing, recognizing symptoms, and seeking timely medical help,” he said.
The South Asian country launched its Hajj flight operation on Apr. 29, which will continue till May 31.
Blast kills three, injures 11 in Pakistan’s restive southwest
- The explosives were planted on a vehicle and were detonated at a market next to a security forces’ camp in the Killa Abdullah district
- No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack that came two days after Pakistani Taliban said they had killed four troops
QUETTA: At least three people were killed and 11 others wounded after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in a border district in Pakistan southwestern Balochistan province, a government official said on Sunday.
The blast took place inside a market next to a security forces camp in Gulistan town of Killa Abdullah district, located close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The explosives were planted on a vehicle and were detonated at around 8:30pm, according to Killa Abdullah Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Riaz Dawar.
“Majority of the shops inside the market were closed when the blast hit the market,” Dawar told Arab News.
“A wall of the security forces’ camp was also partially damaged due to the intensity of the blast.”
The bodies and injured were shifted to hospital. Two of the wounded persons were brought to Trauma Center in Quetta who were in stable condition and undergoing treatment, according to Dr. Arbab Kamran Kasi.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in Gulistan town that is situated close to Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.
Pakistan is currently battling twin insurgencies: one led my religiously motivated groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), mainly in its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and the other by ethno-nationalist Baloch separatist groups in Balochistan.
The TTP and Daesh have also maintained some presence in Balochistan.
The latest attack comes two days after the TTP said it had targeted a security check post in Balochistan’s Khuzdar that killed four members of the Levies paramilitary force.
In Jan. 2025, Pakistan’s military said security forces had thwarted an attack on a paramilitary force’ camp in Gulistan, killing two suicide bombers among five attackers.
Pakistan to send high-level delegation to key world capitals to expose ‘Indian propaganda’
- New Delhi last month accused Pakistan of backing an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, mostly Hindus
- Pakistan denies complicity and reached out to world powers before a limited-scale military standoff with India began this month
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to send a high-level diplomatic delegation to important world capitals to expose ‘Indian propaganda’ against Islamabad, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday, days after a ceasefire deal was reached with New Delhi.
New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam town that killed 26 tourists, mostly Hindus, on April 22. Islamabad has denied complicity and called for a credible, international probe into the assault.
Tensions over the attack last week led the nuclear-armed neighbors into a military conflict, the worst between them in decades, with both countries attacking each other with drones, missiles and artillery and killing around 70 people on both sides.
The conflict began when India struck what it said were “terrorist camps” in multiple Pakistan cities on May 7, alarming world powers that the standoff could spiral into a full-blown war. US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on May 10, which has since held.
“The delegation will visit London, Washington, Paris and Brussels to highlight India’s disinformation campaign and its attempts to destabilize regional peace,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster said, adding Sharif has tasked ex-foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari with leading the body.
“It will also underscore Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace and stability in the region.”
Members of the high-level body include Dr. Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir, Senator Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, Faisal Subzwari, Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani.
Bitter rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars, including two over the disputed region of Kashmir, since gaining independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety but rule it in part.
India has long battled an insurgency on the side it rules by armed separatists fighting for independence or a merger with Pakistan. New Delhi accuses Pakistan of backing the militants, Islamabad says it only offers political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris.
The region has long been described as the “nuclear flashpoint” of South Asia and last week prompted President Trump to offer Washington’s mediation to resolve the issue.
Separately, Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar will travel to China on Monday for a two day visit to discuss “evolving regional situation,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.
“The two sides will also review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-China bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” it said in a statement.
Dar told parliament on May 7, hours after aerial combat between the two sides, that Islamabad used Chinese jets against India, with Beijing’s ambassador called to his office over the deployment.
“At 4am in the morning, the whole Chinese team, led by their ambassador, was present at the foreign office,” Dar told the parliament.
“We apprised them about all the developments taken place until that time.”
US President Donald Trump announced a surprise truce on May 10, which appears to be holding over a week later.
While Islamabad stated earlier this week that the ceasefire would last until Sunday, the Indian army said there was no expiry date to the agreement.
Pakistan Senate chief attends inaugural mass of Pope Leo in show of interfaith harmony
- Pope Leo XIV set the tone for his papacy with a call to stop exploiting nature and marginalizing the poor at the inaugural mass
- Ten days after he became first US head of 1.4 billion Catholics, some 200,000 people gathered to see the mass in St. Peter’s Square
ISLAMABAD: Yousuf Raza Gillani, chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, on Sunday attended the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City, Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID) said, in a show of Islamabad’s commitment to promoting interfaith harmony.
Pope Leo XIV set the tone for his papacy with a call to stop exploiting nature and marginalizing the poor at the inaugural mass, attended by dignitaries including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President JD Vance.
Ten days after he became the first US head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, some 200,000 people gathered to see his inaugural mass in St. Peter’s Square, according to the Vatican.
Gillani’s presence at the mass highlighted Pakistan’s respect for the Catholic community worldwide and its dedication to fostering dialogue and mutual understanding among diverse religious traditions.
“Gillani is scheduled to engage in bilateral meetings with Vatican officials and international counterparts to discuss shared interests, including the promotion of peace, protection of minority rights, and the advancement of interfaith collaboration,” the PID said.
“Pakistan remains steadfast in its advocacy for religious tolerance and coexistence, and Chairman Gillani’s participation in this significant event reaffirms the nation’s role in promoting global understanding and harmony.”
Before the mass began, the Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost delighted the crowds by taking to the popemobile for the first time, smiling, waving and blessing those he passed.
In his homily, the soft-spoken 69-year-old returned to the themes of peace, reconciliation and social justice that have marked his first few days as pope.
“In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth’s resources and marginalizes the poorest,” he said.
After two decades spent as missionary in Peru, the new pope — who was only made a cardinal in 2023 — is unknown to many Catholics.
But many of those gathered in St. Peter’s Square said they liked what they had heard so far.
Maria Grazia La Barbera, 56, a pilgrim from Palermo in Sicily, said Leo was “the right person at the right time” to lead the Church.
“He will certainly do what he promised: knocking down walls and building bridges,” she said.
— With additional input from AFP
At least one killed, 11 injured as storm hits upper parts of Pakistan
- Sporadic rainfall was witnessed in some areas as several trees were uprooted, roofs caved in and walls of some homes collapsed
- Pakistan has seen erratic changes in weather leading to frequent heatwaves, untimely rains, cyclones and droughts in recent years
ISLAMABAD: A child was killed and 11 people were injured as a thunderstorm hit upper parts of Pakistan on Sunday, a rescue official said.
The storm hit Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda and adjacent districts in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and Punjab’s Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Rawalpindi, Murree districts as well as the federal capital of Islamabad.
Sporadic rainfall was witnessed in these areas as several trees were uprooted, roofs caved in and walls of some homes collapsed because of strong gusts of winds.
“So far, one child lost their life and 11 people have been injured in Nowshera and Charsadda,” Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for the KP Rescue 1122 service, said, adding that rescue teams were busy clearing affected areas.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) earlier warned citizens of temporary disruptions in power supply, cautioning citizens of potential hazards.
“Stay away from trees, billboards, and unsecured structures that could collapse,” it said. “Park vehicles in safe, covered areas and avoid unnecessary movement during storms.”
Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change.
In 2022, devastating floods, blamed on human-driven climate change, killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.
