In Rawalpindi, century-old mosque blends history, architecture and faith to attract worshippers in Ramadan

In Rawalpindi, century-old mosque blends history, architecture and faith to attract worshippers in Ramadan
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Worshippers offer prayers in the compound of the century-old Markazi Jamia Mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on March 12, 2025, during Arab News’ Ramadan special coverage. (AN Photo)
In Rawalpindi, century-old mosque blends history, architecture and faith to attract worshippers in Ramadan
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Worshippers offer prayers in the compound of the century-old Markazi Jamia Mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on March 12, 2025, during Arab News’ Ramadan special coverage. (AN Photo)
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In Rawalpindi, century-old mosque blends history, architecture and faith to attract worshippers in Ramadan

In Rawalpindi, century-old mosque blends history, architecture and faith to attract worshippers in Ramadan
  • Surrounded by busy markets, the Markazi Jamia Masjid is an architectural marvel that offers a unique retreat to devotees
  • Its foundation was laid in 1896 by Amanullah Khan, who later became Afghanistan’s King, along with a local religious leader

RAWALPINDI: Sheikh Sajid Mahmood, a Pakistani entrepreneur in his late 50s, soaks the winter sun after offering Zuhr prayers at a mosque in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. The worship place, which stands as a spiritual and cultural beacon, draws thousands like Mahmood, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, with its tranquil appeal.
Surrounded by busy markets and towering buildings, the Markazi Jamia Masjid, or central grand mosque, is an architectural marvel that not only offers a unique retreat to devotees, but also captivates visitors with its vibrant frescoes and intricate design, offering a glimpse into the rich religious and cultural heritage of Rawalpindi.
The mosque’s foundation was laid in 1896 by Amanullah Khan, who later became the King of Afghanistan, alongside a prominent local religious figure, Peer Mehar Ali Shah of Golra Sharif in Islamabad. Since its completion, the mosque has served as a central place of worship for Sunni Muslims in the city, whose numbers multiply in Ramadan.
“I am from the second generation [of devotees praying here]. I am almost 60 years old now. [We] get a lot of spiritual satisfaction by praying here,” Mahmood told Arab News, explaining how the vastness of the space provides him a sense of serenity.
“Look at the sunlight, there are rows of prayer mats laid out in the courtyard. You can also get an idea from this, smaller mosques are confined on the sides.”




This photo, taken on March 12, 2025, shows the main entrance of the century-old Markazi Jamia Mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. (AN Photo)

Mufti Muhammad Siddiq-ul-Hasnain Sialvi, who leads prayers at the mosque, shares a “deep connection” with the place.
“This mosque is the largest in the Rawalpindi division, accommodating up to 7,000 worshippers,” he said. “The arrangements for [late night] Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan are excellent, and we also have a grand arrangement for Iftar. A large number of people perform Itikaf [or seclusion in the last ten days of Ramadan] here as well.”
The Markazi Jamia Masjid’s architectural beauty is a sight to behold as it blends elements of Mughal architecture with local designs. The main prayer hall, dominated by three domes and several minarets, reflects the grandeur of traditional Mughal architecture, featuring arches and intricate floral motifs. Local adaptations imbue the mosque with a unique identity that speaks of Rawalpindi’s heritage.




Worshippers offer prayers inside the main hall of the century-old Markazi Jamia Mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on March 12, 2025, during Arab News’ Ramadan special coverage. (AN Photo)

Inside, the walls are adorned with hand-painted frescoes, some of which have been meticulously restored over the years. The frescoes, with their detailed floral patterns and geometric symmetry, evoke the splendor of Mughal craftsmanship. Though some of the vibrant blues, reds and yellows have faded with time, they still retain their beauty, telling the story of an era long past.
The mosque’s spacious courtyard serves as the heart of the complex, where worshippers gather before entering the prayer hall. During Ramadan, the worship place comes alive, especially during Iftar and Taraweeh as the open space allows for a comfortable congregation, offering a welcoming environment for all.
“There is more rush here in Ramadan, the open courtyard makes it comfortable for people,” said Waqas Iqbal, a jeweler who regularly visits the mosque. “You don’t feel cramped, whether it’s summer or winter.”




Worshippers gesture inside the main hall of the century-old Markazi Jamia Mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on March 12, 2025, during Arab News’ Ramadan special coverage. (AN Photo)


But for Mahmood, the mosque is a sanctuary of peace.
“The open courtyard and the peaceful surroundings make it a special place to pray,” Mahmood said, explaining how the vastness of the space provides a sense of serenity that “smaller mosques often lack.”
More than just a place of worship, Rawalpindi’s Markazi Jamia Masjid offers visitors a chance to connect with the city’s past. Its management, which falls under the Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department, ensures the mosque undergoes maintenance every 10 to 15 years, so that it stays in pristine condition for the future generations.
“Many prominent personalities have offered prayers in this grand mosque and the Imam of Haram Sharif [in Makkah] has visited and led prayers here,” said Sialvi, the prayer leader, adding all these factors makes it a special place for the residents of the neighborhood and an honor for Rawalpindi.


Security forces kill nine militants, lose two soldiers in Pakistan’s northwest

Security forces kill nine militants, lose two soldiers in Pakistan’s northwest
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Security forces kill nine militants, lose two soldiers in Pakistan’s northwest

Security forces kill nine militants, lose two soldiers in Pakistan’s northwest
  • Pakistani forces carried out two separate intelligence-based operation in Mohmand and Dera Ismail Khan
  • An official statement says the armed forces recovered weapons, ammunition from the deceased militants

KARACHI: Pakistani security forces killed nine militants in two intelligence-based operations in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement on Saturday, adding two soldiers also lost their lives in one of the encounters.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has seen a surge in violence by banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in recent months, with deadly suicide bombings, attacks on security checkpoints and targeted of civilians and security personnel.
Pakistani security forces have conducted several intelligence-based operations in the region, with the latest ones carried out in Mohmand District and Dera Ismail Khan between March 14 and 15.
Pakistan refers to TTP militants as “khwarij,” a historical term describing an extremist sect in early Islam known for rebelling against authority and declaring other Muslims apostates.
“On reported presence of Khwarij, an intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces in Mohmand District,” the ISPR said. “During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarijs’ location, resultantly, seven khwarij were sent to hell.”
“However, during intense fire exchange, two brave sons of soil, Havildar Muhammad Zahid (age: 37 years, resident of District Malakand) and Sepoy Aftab Ali Shah (age: 26 years, resident of District Chitral) having fought gallantly, rendered the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat [martyrdom],” it added.
The second operation was carried out in Maddi, Dera Ismail Khan District, where security forces engaged militants in a gunfight.
“A fire exchange took place between own troops and khwarij,” the statement continued. “Resultantly, two khwarij were effectively neutralized.”
The ISPR said security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from the militants, who, according to the military, were actively involved in multiple violent activities.
The statement informed that “sanitization operations” were ongoing in both districts to eliminate any remaining militants.


Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch

Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch
Updated 15 March 2025
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Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch

Pakistan set to face New Zealand in T20I series opener tomorrow in Christchurch
  • Skipper Salman Ali Agha says the team will try to produce better results in New Zealand
  • A three-match ODI series, set to follow the T20I action, will run from March 29 to April 5

KARACHI: Pakistan are all set to take on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series starting Sunday, the country's cricket board said in a statement, with the first game to be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The Pakistan squad arrived in New Zealand on Thursday and held their first training session on Friday afternoon. Before their arrival, the T20I squad underwent a pre-series camp from March 7 to 10 in Lahore.
Pakistan’s squad includes three uncapped players — Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali — who earned call-ups to the national side following their impressive performances in recent domestic events.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha, who led the team to a 2-1 T20I series win in Zimbabwe in his first series as captain, expressed satisfaction with the players' performance ahead of the series.
“The team's preparations are going well, and we will try to produce better results in New Zealand," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) quoted him as saying in a statement. "We have some young players in the side, and it is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent at the international level after performing well in domestic cricket.”
Pakistan have an upper hand over New Zealand in the 44 T20I contests between the two sides, with 23 wins, while the Black Caps have secured victory in 19 fixtures.
The last T20I series featuring the two sides, played in Pakistan in 2024, ended in a 2-2 draw, with one match abandoned due to rain.
More recently, though, Pakistan's cricket squad has come under significant criticism for their performance following their early exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy after losses to New Zealand and India.
During their tour to New Zealand, Pakistan will play their second match at University Oval in Dunedin on March 18, while the third match of the series will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on March 21.
The fourth and fifth T20Is will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui and Sky Stadium in Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.
A three-match ODI series will follow the T20I action and will be played from March 29 to April 5.


Pakistan deadline for illegal foreigners to leave country to expire in less than three weeks

Pakistan deadline for illegal foreigners to leave country to expire in less than three weeks
Updated 15 March 2025
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Pakistan deadline for illegal foreigners to leave country to expire in less than three weeks

Pakistan deadline for illegal foreigners to leave country to expire in less than three weeks
  • Islamabad says it has already granted sufficient time to these foreigners for their ‘dignified return’
  • Pakistan initially launched the deportation drive in Nov. 2023 following a string of suicide bombings

ISLAMABAD: A deadline set by Islamabad for undocumented foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card-holders will expire in less than three weeks, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday.
The Pakistan government on March 7 announced that all undocumented foreigners and Afghan nationals, including ACC-holders, residing illegally in Pakistan must depart voluntarily by March 31 or face deportation starting April 1.
The ACC scheme, initiated in 2017, provided temporary legal status to undocumented Afghans in Pakistan. It differs from the Proof of Registration (PoR) system, which grants refugee status to Afghan nationals recognized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Pakistan government.
The recent directive will primarily impact the ACC-holders along with other undocumented Afghan nationals, many of whom fled to Pakistan following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
“Seventeen days are left for illegal foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave Pakistan,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“The government has assured that no mistreatment will occur during the process and it has made arrangements for food and health facilities for those returning.” 
Unlike PoR-holders, who are protected under international refugee frameworks, ACC-holders were never formally recognized as refugees and were only granted temporary permission to stay in Pakistan.
The Pakistani government said on March 7 it was already implementing the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program (IFRP) since Nov. 1, 2023.
“In continuation to Government’s decision to repatriate all illegal foreigners, national leadership has now decided to also repatriate ACC holders,” it said, adding that it had granted sufficient time to these people to ensure their “dignified return.”
The Pakistani government launched the deportation drive against “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, in Nov. 2023 after a string of suicide bombings in the country. Officials in Islamabad cited security concerns for the decision, alleging that a number of Afghan nationals had been involved in militant activities, including attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces, a claim denied by the Taliban authorities in Kabul.
Last year, the government also announced that Afghan citizens residing in Islamabad would require No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) after alleging that many of them had participated in an anti-government protest led by former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition party, which later turned violent.
The government’s directive will affect numerous Afghans in Pakistan awaiting resettlement to third countries, including the United States. Many of them had assisted international forces and now fear retribution from the Taliban. However, recent policy changes under President Donald Trump’s administration have all but suspended US refugee admissions, leaving thousands in limbo.


Pakistan, IMF make ‘significant progress’ on first review of $7 billion program — IMF mission chief

Pakistan, IMF make ‘significant progress’ on first review of $7 billion program — IMF mission chief
Updated 15 March 2025
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Pakistan, IMF make ‘significant progress’ on first review of $7 billion program — IMF mission chief

Pakistan, IMF make ‘significant progress’ on first review of $7 billion program — IMF mission chief
  • The development comes as an IMF mission concluded its weeks-long visit to Pakistan to review Islamabad’s progress on key conditions under the program
  • Progress has also been made in discussions on Pakistan’s climate reform agenda, which aims to reduce natural disasters-related vulnerabilities, IMF says

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have made “significant progress” on the first review of a $7 billion loan program Islamabad secured last year, the IMF mission chief said on Friday.
The South Asian country, which has faced an economic meltdown in recent years, is treading a long path to economic recovery under the $7 billion IMF program it secured in Sept. last year.
An IMF mission visited Pakistan from Feb. 24 till Mar. 14 to analyze Islamabad’s progress on key conditions as part of the first review of the facility. A successful review will result in the release of around $1 billion as second installment under the program.
In a statement on Friday, IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter said the two sides made significant progress toward reaching a staff-level agreement on the first review under the 37-month program, and they would continue policy discussions virtually to finalize the review over the coming days.
“Program implementation has been strong, and the discussions have made considerable progress in several areas including the planned fiscal consolidation to durably reduce public debt, maintenance of sufficiently tight monetary policy to maintain low inflation, acceleration of cost-reducing reforms to improve energy sector viability, and implementation of Pakistan’s structural reform agenda to accelerate growth, while strengthening social protection and rebuilding health and education spending,” Porter said.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb have previously said they were confident of meeting targets of the IMF program.
The South Asian country was able to build some trust with the IMF by completing a short-term, nine-month program last year. Previous loan programs in Pakistan ended prematurely or saw delays after the governments at the time faltered on meeting key conditions.
Pakistan also seeks to secure an additional $1.5 billion loan from the IMF to deal with climate-related issues under a Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement.
“Progress has also been made in discussions on the authorities’ climate reform agenda, which aims to reduce vulnerabilities from natural disasters-related risks, and accompanying reforms which could be supported under a possible arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF),” Porter said.
“The IMF team is grateful to the Pakistani authorities, private sector, and development partners for fruitful discussions and their hospitality throughout this mission.”


Pakistan looks forward to strengthening ties with Canada under Mark Carney, PM Sharif says

Pakistan looks forward to strengthening ties with Canada under Mark Carney, PM Sharif says
Updated 15 March 2025
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Pakistan looks forward to strengthening ties with Canada under Mark Carney, PM Sharif says

Pakistan looks forward to strengthening ties with Canada under Mark Carney, PM Sharif says
  • Carney was sworn in after overwhelmingly winning a Liberal Party vote to replace Justin Trudeau
  • Islamabad has friendly ties with Canada, which was one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is looking forward to strengthening its relations with Canada under Prime Minister Mark Carney, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday, as he felicitated his new Canadian counterpart.
Ex-central banker Carney was sworn in as prime minister of Canada on Friday after overwhelmingly winning a Liberal Party vote to replace Justin Trudeau as leader.
Pakistan enjoys friendly relations with Canada, which was one of the first countries to recognize Pakistan as a sovereign independent state in 1947.
The two countries regularly hold bilateral consultation on political matters, while Pakistani diaspora in Canada numbers around 500,000. Islamabad has also awarded the Reko Diq gold mine project to a Canadian firm which is the largest in terms of foreign direct investment in Pakistan.
“I congratulate Mr. Mark Carney on being sworn in as the Prime Minister of Canada,” Sharif wrote on X. “Wish him a successful tenure in office and look forward to working with him to further strengthen Pakistan-Canada relations in all spheres.”
Over the years, the bilateral cooperation and engagement in the political, economic, and cultural arenas between Pakistan and Canada has witnessed a consistent upwards trajectory, according to the Pakistani foreign office. At present, there are two Pakistan-origin senators and six House of Commons members in the Canadian parliament, who act as a bridge between the two countries.
Carney’s election, however, comes at a time Ottawa has been rattled by collapsing cross-border relations since Donald Trump returned to power in January, launching a trade war and demanding that Canada surrender its independence to become the 51st US state.
Carney, a political novice, said he will fly to Paris and London next week, part of an effort to reinforce alliances overseas as ties with the United States unravel. Those talks will include trade and security.