Pakistan: Suspects in 2011 Killing of Saudi Diplomat Fled to Iran

Pakistani police at the scene of the crime in 2011. (AFP)
Pakistani police at the scene of the crime in 2011. (AFP)
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Pakistan: Suspects in 2011 Killing of Saudi Diplomat Fled to Iran

Pakistani police at the scene of the crime in 2011. (AFP)
Pakistani police at the scene of the crime in 2011. (AFP)

Islamabad has asked authorities in Tehran to assist in the arrest of the suspects behind the assassination of Saudi diplomat Hassan al-Qahtani in Pakistan's Karachi in 2011.

Reports have said the killers had fled to Iran.

The Kingdom's ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf al-Malki, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia was informed by Pakistan that the murderers were indeed in Iran.

Saudi authorities are dedicating all of their efforts to cooperate with Pakistan to arrest them and allow justice to take its course, he added.

A Saudi committee has been formed to tackle the case and it flew to Islamabad two months ago.

New leads in the case had emerged, prompting Pakistan in November to request Iran's assistance to locate the suspects, who have been identified as Ali Mustehsan, Raza Imam and Syed Waqar Ahmed

Qahtani was a diplomat at the Saudi consulate in Karachi.

He was killed after gunmen riding on two motorbikes opened fire at him in his car as he was headed to work.



OIC, MWL Condemn Escalation of Israeli Attacks in West Bank

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) logo
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) logo
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OIC, MWL Condemn Escalation of Israeli Attacks in West Bank

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) logo
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) logo

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday strongly condemned the attacks and crimes committed by Israeli forces in the West Bank, particularly in Jenin and its refugee camp.

In a statement, the OIC also condemned the destruction of roads and infrastructure in Jenin, and the establishment of military checkpoints and iron gates to isolate Palestinian cities and villages.

The OIC considered such actions as part of a broader pattern of war crimes against the Palestinian people.

The organization warned against the ongoing crimes perpetrated by extremist settler groups, operating with the protection of Israeli occupation forces, with the latest attack targeting several Palestinian villages, where property, homes, vehicles, and agricultural lands were set on fire.

It also held Israel directly accountable for such crimes and emphasized the need for accountability under international criminal law.

The OIC renewed its call on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities, put an end to the ongoing Israeli terrorism across the occupied Palestinian territories, and provide protection to the Palestinian people.

The Muslim World League (MWL) also strongly condemned the operation carried out by Israeli forces in Jenin.
In a statement issued Thursday, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa denounced this “grave violation,” stating that it adds to a series of ongoing and serious breaches of international and humanitarian laws, threatens further losses among innocent civilians, and undermines the chances of peace and stability in the region.