Archbishop of Canterbury ‘withdraws’ award given to Tahir Ashrafi

Lambeth Palace, the London residence and office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, has withdrawn the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation 2026, days after presenting it to Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, citing previous comments over Osama bin Laden. Ashrafi was presented with the award on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 at a ceremony held at Lambeth Palace in London in recognition of his services to interfaith reconciliation and cooperation. Read: Tahir Ashrafi receives Hubert Walter Award for reconciliation, interfaith cooperation in London The comment that led to the withdrawal dated back to 2007, when Ashrafi said he would confer the title “Saifullah”, meaning “Sword of God”, on then-Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden — the orchestrator of the Sept 11 attacks — in protest against Britain awarding a knighthood to writer Salman Rushdie, whose book he described as blasphemous. In a video statement posted on X regarding the withdrawal, Ashrafi said some of his statements had been presented "out of context" and that the decision to withdraw the award was based on them. He alleged that an “Indian and Ahmadi lobby” had played a role in the decision. حافظ محمد طاہر محمود اشرفی نے کہا: “ہم ناموسِ رسالت ﷺ، عقیدۂ ختمِ نبوت اور اپنی اسلامی اقدار پر قائم تھے، قائم ہیں اور قائم رہیں گے؛ اور اسی مضبوطی کے ساتھ امن، مکالمے، بین المذاہب ہم آہنگی اور ہر انسان کے جائز حقوق کے لیے اپنی جدوجہد بھی جاری رکھیں گے۔ ایوارڈ ہونا یا نا ہونا… pic.twitter.com/TUfgq4tz8r — TahirMahmoodAshrafi حافظ محمد طاهراشرفى (@TahirAshrafi) September 17, 2026 He said the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury had sought clarification from him before withdrawing the award over several matters, including Pakistan’s blasphemy law, Salman Rushdie, Osama bin Laden and his wife’s hijab. Ashrafi said he had clarified that he supported retaining the blasphemy law but opposed its misuse. Explaining an earlier statement about Osama bin Laden, he said he was opposed to the use of religion for terrorism and had cited “Saifullah” as an example at the time. Regarding his previous remarks about Salman Rushdie, Ashrafi said he could not retract the statement and would not withdraw from his views. Read More: Religious leadership must play active role in ending wars, global peace: Ashrafi A statement issued by Lambeth Palace on Sept 17 said interfaith dialogue and cooperation required engagement “across deeply-held differences”. “It is a longstanding principle of interfaith dialogue and co-operation that we must engage with one another across deeply-held differences, and that remains the case,” it said. “However, previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award, and we can now confirm today that the award has been withdrawn.” Church of Pakistan honours Ashrafi In a related development, the Church of Pakistan honoured Ashrafi on Friday with a Global Peace Award for his services to peace, interfaith harmony and religious tolerance. President of the Church of Pakistan Bishop Azad Marshall presented the award to Ashrafi at a ceremony in Lahore. According to the Church of Pakistan, the award recognised his services in promoting peace, religious harmony, dialogue among followers of different faiths and protection of the rights of non-Muslim citizens.   Church of Pakistan honours Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi with Global Peace Award https://t.co/1RPXQeHCdT — TahirMahmoodAshrafi حافظ محمد طاهراشرفى (@TahirAshrafi) September 18, 2026 Bishop Marshall said Ashrafi had continued to play a role in promoting dialogue and harmony among followers of different religions in Pakistan. He also appreciated his efforts for interfaith peace and harmony at national and international levels. After receiving the award, Ashrafi thanked the Church of Pakistan and Bishop Marshall. He said that under Bishop Marshall’s leadership, the Church of Pakistan was working with leaders of different religions and Muslim schools of thought for peace, national security and stability in Pakistan. Ashrafi said joint efforts by Muslim and non-Muslim religious leaders through the National Paigham-e-Peace Committee would further strengthen peace, interfaith and sectarian harmony and national unity in Pakistan. He also expressed his resolve to continue working for peace, religious harmony and the protection of the legitimate rights of all Pakistanis.

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Six soldiers martyred, 10 terrorists killed in K-P IBOs: ISPR

Security forces killed 10 terrorists belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna Al-Khawarij in multiple engagements in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa between Sept 15 and 17, while six soldiers embraced martyrdom, the military’s media wing said on Thursday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan district following reports of the presence of khawarij in the area. “During the conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged the khawarij location and after intense exchange of fire, six khawarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna Al-Khawarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR said. Read: 21 terrorists killed in multiple engagements across K-P: ISPR Fitna Al-Khawarij is the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In another encounter in Hangu district, security forces successfully neutralised four more khawarij, it added. On Sept 17, an improvised explosive device exploded on a security forces convoy, resulting in the deaths of six soldiers, the military’s media wing said. “Six brave sons of the soil rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat,” the ISPR said. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed Indian-sponsored khawarij, who, according to the statement, remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area. The ISPR said sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored khawarij found in the area. “The relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it said. “These sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs,” the statement concluded. Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks rising every year since 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation. Data from ACLED shows attacks in Pakistan rose nearly fourfold to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022. Earlier this month, security forces killed 21 terrorists belonging to the Indian-sponsored Fitna Al-Khawarij in multiple engagements in K-P. Last month, security forces killed 11 terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations in K-P and Balochistan, targeting suspected members of Fitna Al-Khawarij and Fitna Al-Hindustan.

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Pakistan, China activate Boundary Joint Commission in inaugural meeting

Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their consensus and agreed on a framework for future cooperation under the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission (BJC), the Foreign Office said on Thursday. The inaugural meeting of the commission was held in Islamabad on Sept 16-17, formally activating a mechanism envisaged under a 2013 boundary management agreement between the two countries, the ministry said in a statement. “Both sides described the establishment of the Commission as a vital milestone in further strengthening the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” the statement said. 🔊PR No.2️⃣4️⃣8️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission 🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/iiXKzHfhWA — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 17, 2026 The FO said discussions at the inaugural meeting covered a wide range of matters related to border management and cooperation, including cross-border coordination, movement of goods and people, joint border surveys and people-to-people linkages. The meeting concluded with the signing of minutes to reaffirm the mutual consensus and set out the framework for future cooperation under the commission, it added. “Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the commission in China at mutually convenient dates,” the FO said. The two-day inaugural meeting of the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission concluded today with a signing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad. Both sides signed the minutes, reaffirming their consensus and setting out the framework for future cooperation. pic.twitter.com/jr4srpDi7k — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 17, 2026 The Pakistani delegation was led by Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary, director general (China) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Chinese delegation was led by Li Ya, deputy director general of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Senior representatives from various ministries and departments participated from both sides, including the ministries of foreign affairs, defence, interior, commerce and communications, as well as relevant customs, survey and other boundary management authorities. India rejected the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission, saying the commission lacked a legal basis and that no boundary existed between Pakistan and China. Responding to the objections, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan rejected India’s assertions at his weekly news briefing. “Pakistan categorically rejects India’s baseless and legally untenable assertions concerning the Pakistan-China Boundary Agreement of 1963 and the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission,” he said. “China is not only our neighbour but also an all-weather strategic cooperative partner. Our ironclad friendship has withstood the test of time,” he added. The spokesperson said the 1963 agreement was a valid arrangement concluded between Pakistan and China. He said India’s claims regarding Jammu and Kashmir were equally untenable, as the region remained an internationally recognised disputed territory whose final disposition was to be determined in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. “This is to be done through a UN-led process, under the auspices of the United Nations, through a plebiscite,” he said. Haider criticised India’s assertion, saying it was a “mockery of international law” for India to speak of legality while challenging the validity of the Boundary Joint Commission. “India must carry out its own introspection, especially regarding its illegal and unilateral decisions of 5 August 2019,” he said. He called on India to rescind what he described as illegal decisions, saying they were “in utter violation of the UN Security Council resolutions”. “Instead of advancing fictitious territorial claims, India should end its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and faithfully implement the UN Security Council resolutions,” the spokesperson said.

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Turkish intelligence chief visits Pakistan, discusses regional security and bilateral cooperation

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) Chief Ibrahim Kalin visited Pakistan following his trip to Afghanistan, holding talks with senior officials on bilateral ties, regional security, and ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Turkish security sources said on Thursday. During his visit to the capital, Islamabad, Kalin met Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and Inter-Services Intelligence Chief Asim Malik, and he was also received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The talks addressed the current state of Türkiye-Pakistan relations and opportunities for further cooperation, as well as regional and global developments. The officials discussed the security landscape that emerged in the Middle East following the beginning of the US-Israel war with Iran, rising regional tensions, and the conflict’s political, security, and economic repercussions for regional countries. Read: Hormuz will remain closed until Trump, Netanyahu are removed: Iran supreme leader’s aide They also assessed the risk of the conflicts spreading to other countries and regions, according to the sources. Recent tensions and developments between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, as well as the risks they pose to regional stability, were also among the issues discussed. The talks highlighted the importance of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in providing common ground among the parties as part of efforts to restore regional stability. The officials also pointed to the roles of Türkiye and Pakistan in reducing tensions and keeping diplomatic channels open. Türkiye stressed that it would continue to make every effort to help resolve tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan through dialogue, as it has done in the past. The two sides also agreed to further strengthen their existing high-level cooperation in the security and intelligence fields. Türkiye reiterated its support for Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and underlined that it would continue supporting efforts to strengthen the country’s counterterrorism capacity. Kalin’s Pakistan visit came after he held talks in Kabul and Kandahar with senior Afghan officials.

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Khuhro regrets ‘unintentional’ remarks about Field Marshal Asim Munir

PPP senior leader and Sindh chapter President Nisar Khuhro on Wednesday expressed regret over his remarks about the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, made a day earlier, saying the statement was unintentional in its meaning. “My statement regarding the field marshal yesterday was unintentional in terms of its meaning,” Khuhro said in a statement. “I sincerely regret the statement,” he said, adding that he held the dignity of the institution in the highest regard. “I deeply respect the dignity of the institution and regret if my words caused any misunderstanding,” the PPP leader said. We Didn’t Run From Zia-ul-Haq or Musharraf , This Field Marshal Can’t Stand Against Us Either! Nisar Khuhro | Star Asia TV . . . .. . .#NisarKhuhro #PPP #PakistanPolitics #PoliticalStatement #BreakingNews Disclaimer: This content is for informational and news reporting purposes… pic.twitter.com/v04s224jGe — Star Asia Tv (@StarAsiatvHD) September 16, 2026 The clarification came after Khuhro, while speaking at a seminar on new provinces earlier this week, criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks about the governance system and his call for new administrative units, while questioning the significance given to his statement. Referring to the interior minister’s speech, Khuhro had said its significance was that he had “dragged” Gen Asim Munir, who is referred to as the field marshal, into the issue. Read: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi calls for new administrative units citing existing governance failure “Then I said that when we did not run away anywhere out of fear of Ziaul Haq and did not run away anywhere out of fear of Musharraf, then this field marshal also cannot confront us,” he had said, adding that the army chief should not have been dragged into the issue. He accused the minister of trying to “defame” the army. “The Pakistan Army is protecting our borders, and by dragging it into politics, you are destroying its dignity and status,” Khuhro said. Taking a dig at Naqvi, he also said the interior minister would not become prime minister through such means. “Mohsin Naqvi sahib, I am telling you that you will not be able to become prime minister in this way. If this is your next desire, it will not be fulfilled if people do not want you,” he said. The debate over the creation of new provinces began in July this year when Naqvi called for the creation of additional administrative units or provinces to overhaul the country’s outdated governance system, stressing that meaningful structural reforms were essential to ensure justice and create opportunities for young people. The proposal appeared to receive support from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who said an administrative reset, if required, should be undertaken to ensure good governance. Also Read: ‘Sindh is one, shall remain one’: Assembly passes resolution against division of province The remarks resulted in a series of exchanges among major political parties in Sindh, with the MQM supporting the idea while the proposal drew strong criticism from the PPP and nationalist parties in the province. Later, the Sindh Assembly passed a resolution, tabled by Khuhro, rejecting any proposal to divide the province or alter its territorial limits, as opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in protest. The assembly reaffirmed that it would not consent to any alteration of Sindh’s territorial limits and would exercise its constitutional authority under Article 239(4) to safeguard the province’s unity and territorial integrity.

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Government raises petrol price by Rs6.88, HSD by Rs5.62 for Sep 17

The federal government on Wednesday increased the price of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs6.88 and Rs5.62 per litre, respectively, for Sept 17. According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the price of petrol was fixed at Rs391.22 per litre, while HSD would cost Rs421.45 per litre from Thursday. The latest revision comes after the government increased the price of petrol by Rs4.10 per litre and that of HSD by Rs6.41 per litre for Sept 16. Read: PM Shehbaz holds review meeting for fuel subsidy scheme amid escalation in Gulf tensions, rising oil prices On July 17, the government announced a new pricing mechanism under which petroleum product prices would be reviewed and notified on a daily basis, replacing the weekly pricing mechanism, as renewed tensions between the United States and Iran continued to drive volatility in global oil markets and raise concerns over fuel supplies. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced a special relief scheme offering Rs100 per litre off petrol for motorcycles, three-wheeler rickshaws, and cars up to 800cc engine, in an attempt to shield lower-income consumers from the impact of sharply rising petroleum prices. “In this hour of difficulty, we will not leave the public alone. To alleviate the burden of rising oil prices on users of motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingchis, and small vehicles, a special scheme is being initiated,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Under the proposal, an estimated 11.8 million beneficiaries would be covered. Around 10 million two-wheeler users and 800,000 three-wheeler users would be entitled to relief on 20 litres of fuel per month, translating into a maximum monthly benefit of Rs2,000 per beneficiary. Another one million users of cars of up to 800cc would receive relief on 30 litres per month, providing them a maximum benefit of Rs3,000 each. The government estimated the monthly fiscal impact of the scheme at Rs24.6 billion – Rs20 billion for two-wheelers, Rs1.6 billion for three-wheelers and Rs3 billion for cars.

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AJK moves to digitise land records, streamline public services

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has accelerated work on a range of digital initiatives aimed at making public services faster, more transparent and accessible, potentially reducing citizens’ need to visit government offices repeatedly for routine matters. The initiatives, being implemented through the AJK Information Technology Board, include computerisation of land records, a one-window public service system, a complaints management mechanism and IT excellence centres designed to expand access to technology and digital skills. The progress on the projects was reviewed at a meeting of the IT Board chaired by AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani. Secretary IT and Information Rashid Hanif briefed the meeting on the ongoing initiatives and their implementation. Read: Gilani seeks wider tax net to boost AJK revenue The computerisation of land records is expected to make ownership and other land-related information more readily accessible to citizens while reducing dependence on paper-based records and lengthy administrative procedures. Digital records could also help improve transparency and reduce the need to approach multiple offices for land-related matters. Under the one-window operation, different government services are being brought under a single system so that citizens can obtain services through one platform instead of visiting several departments for a single matter. The proposed complaints cell is intended to provide citizens with a formal mechanism to lodge complaints and track their progress. The system will also allow authorities to monitor complaints and hold the relevant departments accountable for timely action. The IT Excellence Centres will focus on technology training and skills development, with particular emphasis on creating opportunities for young people to acquire modern IT skills and improve their prospects in the digital economy. Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Gilani directed the authorities to use modern technology to make government services easier, faster and more transparent for the public. Also Read: PML-N leadership urges prioritising healthcare, education, infrastructure in meeting with new AJK PM Gilani He said the government’s focus was on public service and initiatives that could bring tangible improvements to people’s daily lives. The prime minister particularly directed the authorities to establish an effective and transparent mechanism for the registration, monitoring and resolution of public complaints so that citizens did not have to make unnecessary visits to government offices and could receive timely relief. Principal Secretary Sardar Adnan Khursheed, Deputy Secretary Malik Hamid Siddique and other relevant officials also attended the meeting.

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