Pakistan Asserts Its Place in the Muslim World

Rising domestic pressure is pushing Pakistan to publicly voice concern over pan-Islamic issues. But in doing so, Islamabad will seek to avoid exacerbating the country’s economic crisis by alienating trade and investment partners. During a May 3 meeting, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the Islamabad-based ambassadors to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to work together to counter Islamophobia around the world. A couple of weeks earlier, Pakistan -- which is home to the world’s second-largest Muslim population -- also announced a global campaign to fight blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad in the hopes of driving conversations with the European Union and the United Nations.  ...