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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar backed the idea of a joint Arab security force this week after Israel’s Sept. 9 airstrikes on Qatar, saying that his country was ready to play a role while highlighting its conventional military abilities.

Speaking to Al Jazeera ahead of the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, Dar said it was vital to strengthen multilateralism to ensure peace for everyone by carrying out institutional reforms at the United Nations.

His remarks came days after Israel targeted a group of Hamas leaders discussing a US-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal by hitting a residential neighborhood in Doha. Qatar has been a key mediator in ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, hosting the Palestinian group’s political bureau as part of the process.

Confirming reports that Arab states were discussing the idea of a combined security force, he said: “Why not? What’s wrong with that? They should [have such a force]. And according to their own capacity, their own strength, they should create some [defense] mechanism.”

Dar maintained such a force would not be developed for offensive purposes but to defend regional states and ensure peace by “stopping the occupier … [and] somebody who just doesn’t listen [to anyone].”

When asked about the role of “nuclear powered Pakistan,” he said his country’s nuclear arsenal was for deterrence but noted Islamabad would stand with Arab states and “discharge its duty” toward the Muslim community.

“Pakistan [has] a very large, known, very effective army, very effective Air Force, very effective Navy,” he added.

Referring to Pakistan’s military standoff with India in May, Dar said his country’s armed forces had proven their worth during the exchange.

Asked if Israel had also targeted Pakistan after Qatar, he said Israel had fully supported India in its war against Pakistan but had seen the results.

KARACHI: Leading UAE lender Mashreq on Tuesday announced the launch of its digital banking services in Pakistan, offering fully Shariah-compliant online solutions as part of a $100 million commitment to the South Asian country.

Pakistan, where nearly 70 percent of adults remain outside the formal financial system, has been encouraging foreign and local lenders to expand digital banking to increase inclusion and attract investment. The State Bank of Pakistan introduced a new regulatory framework in 2022 and has since granted licenses to several digital banks, including Mashreq, as part of efforts to modernize the sector.

Mashreq, Dubai’s third-largest lender by assets, registered in Pakistan in 2023 before receiving central bank approval to launch Islamic banking operations last year.

The bank said its new platform will be powered by “state-of-the-art technology, seamless customer experience and a strong commitment to responsible banking.”

“Mashreq Bank Pakistan aims to offer unparalleled digital banking solutions, built to be fully Shariah compliant,” the bank said in a statement, adding that it aimed to drive digital transformation, financial inclusion and job creation over the next five to ten years.

Pakistani customers will be able to access zero-fee ATM withdrawals, free debit cards and AI-driven risk controls. Overseas Pakistanis in the UAE will also be able to open accounts back home and remit funds seamlessly through the new platform.

On the occasion, Mashreq Chairman Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair highlighted the bank’s decades-long relationship with Pakistan.

“Dating back to the establishment of our representative office in Karachi in 1978, we start a new chapter in our journey, grounded in trust, shaped by regional aspirations and backed by long-term cooperation,” he said.

“Pakistan is a story of resilience and sustained ambition and we’re here because the future is promising and we want to help build it.”

Mashreq Bank Pakistan Chairman Fernando Morillo said the institution’s vision was to create an ecosystem where consumers, small and medium enterprises and overseas Pakistanis could connect to financial opportunities.

“Pakistan marks the first international market where we are deploying Mashreq’s full-service digital retail bank,” he said.

The bank’s global capability center in Pakistan already employs more than 415 people across technology, compliance, human resources and customer experience.

Pakistan, with a $350 billion economy and a large overseas workforce -more than 2.5 million Pakistanis live in the UAE alone — relies heavily on remittances, much of which flows through the banking system. Mashreq said its new platform would help streamline remittance inflows while providing digital-first solutions to local consumers.

The bank’s statement said Mashreq had committed $100 million by this year to support its operations in Pakistan through the digital bank and global capability center.