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Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition Launches ‘Idmaj’ Rehabilitation Initiative in Pakistan

Officials are seen at the launch ceremony in Islamabad on Monday. (IMCTC)
Officials are seen at the launch ceremony in Islamabad on Monday. (IMCTC)
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Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition Launches ‘Idmaj’ Rehabilitation Initiative in Pakistan

Officials are seen at the launch ceremony in Islamabad on Monday. (IMCTC)
Officials are seen at the launch ceremony in Islamabad on Monday. (IMCTC)

The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) launched in Islamabad on Monday the Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration Initiative for Individuals with Extremist Ideologies and Terrorist Behavior, known as Idmaj.

The ceremony was attended by Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan’s Minister of Defense, and Mohammed Al-Moghedi, Secretary General of the Coalition, alongside a number of military, security, and diplomatic officials.

In his address, Al-Moghedi said the Idmaj initiative represents a core pillar of the Coalition’s work in the intellectual domain, stressing that rehabilitation and reintegration programs constitute the first line of defense against extremist thought.

Addressing extremism cannot be limited to security and military measures alone, but requires integrated intellectual and social approaches aimed at rebuilding awareness, rehabilitating individuals, and reintegrating them into society in a positive and sustainable manner, he stressed.

The initiative aims to rebuild the lives of individuals involved in terrorism-related crimes by extracting them intellectually, psychologically, and socially from the grip of extremist and terrorist groups, he explained.

The program aims to transform them into constructive members of their families and communities, prevent their continued exploitation by terrorist leaders, and facilitate their return to serving their countries across humanitarian and civic fields, Al-Moghedi went on to say.

For his part, Asif praised the IMCTC's efforts and its partnership with Pakistan in combating extremism and terrorism. He said hosting the Idmaj initiative reflects Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and exchanging expertise in intellectual rehabilitation and reintegration.

The initiative includes specialized scientific modules covering concepts of rehabilitation and reintegration, model frameworks for rehabilitation programs, program design principles, the nature of terrorist crime, social care foundations, and challenges related to reintegration. These are delivered through training sessions and panel discussions led by experts and specialists.

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Gulf

Enayati to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia is a Pivotal Partner, Relations Are ‘Shielded’

The Saudi Crown Prince during his reception of the Secretary General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council in September (SPA)
The Saudi Crown Prince during his reception of the Secretary General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council in September (SPA)
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Enayati to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia is a Pivotal Partner, Relations Are ‘Shielded’

The Saudi Crown Prince during his reception of the Secretary General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council in September (SPA)
The Saudi Crown Prince during his reception of the Secretary General of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council in September (SPA)

The Iranian ambassador to Riyadh said relations with Saudi Arabia are “shielded” and cannot be undermined, stressing that both countries share a commitment to regional security and stability, and to avoiding escalation that could unsettle the region.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Alireza Enayati said there is ongoing coordination between the two countries, including visits and meetings, some public and others conducted away from the spotlight.

“We must recognize the sensitivity of the current situation amid recurring threats facing the region and the risk of sliding into unprecedented escalation,” Enayati said.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that regional stability serves the interests of all countries. This has been repeatedly affirmed during our meetings and discussions with Saudi officials.”

A senior Saudi official had told Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday that reports circulated by some media outlets about a shift in the Kingdom’s stance on regional escalation were inaccurate.

The official said Saudi Arabia supports efforts to reach peaceful solutions to all outstanding issues between the United States and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy, stressing the Kingdom’s rejection of the use of its airspace or territory for any military action against Iran.

Saudi Arabia as a Pivotal State

The Iranian diplomat emphasized that Tehran considers Saudi Arabia a pivotal and influential country in the region, noting that cooperation between the two sides on issues of mutual interest contributes to strengthening regional security and stability.

He said Iran and Saudi Arabia are keen on maintaining the region’s security and stability and stress the importance of avoiding escalation that could disturb regional calm.

He added that consultations are underway, based on a strategic conviction shared by both sides that serves their respective interests and those of the region as a whole.

According to Enayati, the Kingdom views Iran as a reliable partner, while Iran regards Saudi Arabia as an important and effective regional actor. Cooperation between the two countries on shared concerns, he said, helps reinforce regional security and stability.

“Shielded” Relations

Enayati said these relations are shielded and cannot be compromised, thanks to the leaderships of both countries and their understanding of the inevitability and importance of maintaining and developing these ties, with positive implications for all parties.

He recalled Saudi Arabia’s supportive stance toward Iran during the recent Israeli war, saying Tehran welcomed the Kingdom’s position, which strongly condemned the Israeli aggression. The diplomat added that any harm to Iran affects the security of the entire region, a reality reflected in constructive regional positions, including that of Saudi Arabia.

Negotiating Framework with Washington

On reports of a negotiating framework taking shape between Iran and the United States, Enayati said Iran entered negotiations in 2015 and again in 2025 with full seriousness, but that Washington withdrew and handled the process inconsistently.

“If the United States is serious about an equal dialogue without preconditions, Iran welcomes that,” he said, adding that Iranian officials have repeatedly affirmed this position.

He noted that while recent statements suggest work is ongoing on a framework for talks, negotiations cannot begin with predetermined outcomes. Results, he said, must emerge from the negotiating process itself, not be imposed in advance.

Last week, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian the Kingdom’s support for efforts to resolve differences through dialogue in a way that enhances regional security and stability.

The Crown Prince stressed Saudi respect for Iran’s sovereignty and its refusal to allow the use of Saudi airspace or territory for any military actions against Iran.

Pezeshkian, in turn, thanked the Kingdom for its firm stance on respecting Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and praised the Crown Prince’s efforts to promote regional security and stability.

Gulf

KSrelief Distributes Food Baskets in Southern Gaza 

KSrelief distributes food baskets in Gaza on Monday. (SPA)
KSrelief distributes food baskets in Gaza on Monday. (SPA)
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KSrelief Distributes Food Baskets in Southern Gaza 

KSrelief distributes food baskets in Gaza on Monday. (SPA)
KSrelief distributes food baskets in Gaza on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed on Monday food baskets in displacement camps in the southern Gaza Strip, as part of the Saudi popular campaign to support the Palestinian people in the coastal enclave.

The gesture is part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support the Palestinian people and is an embodiment of its continued commitment to stand by them during all circumstances.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Congo over Mine Collapse Victims

A general view of a portion of an open pit coltan mine in Rubaya on January 30, 2026. (AFP)
A general view of a portion of an open pit coltan mine in Rubaya on January 30, 2026. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences to Congo over Mine Collapse Victims

A general view of a portion of an open pit coltan mine in Rubaya on January 30, 2026. (AFP)
A general view of a portion of an open pit coltan mine in Rubaya on January 30, 2026. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Monday its condolences to the families of the victims, and to the people and government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, following the collapse of a mineral mine in the city of Rubaya that claimed the lives of more than 226 workers.

The Kingdom conveyed its solidarity with Congo, its government, and its people during this ordeal.

Congo's government said on Sunday it feared "at least 200 dead" in a "massive" landslide that struck a militia-held mine in the country's east.

Since its resurgence in 2021, the M23 armed group has seized vast tracts of the DRC's resource-rich east, capturing the Rubaya mine in North Kivu province in April 2024 with Rwanda's help.

The mine produces 15 to 30 percent of the world's supply of coltan, a key component in the production of electronics such as laptops and mobile phones.

Thousands of artisanal miners work daily in precarious conditions in Rubaya's pits, most equipped with simple shovels and rubber boots.