Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir have secured joint first place in the 2027 edition of The Muslim 500, a publication recognising the world’s most influential Muslim personalities.
The two Pakistani leaders share the top position with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The annual publication is compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre (RISSC), a research institute based in Amman, Jordan.
The 18th edition marks the first time the publication has awarded a joint No. 1 position to five individuals.
According to the report, the recognition reflects growing defence cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The publication particularly highlights the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed by the three countries on August 7, 2026.
The agreement aims to strengthen collective security and deterrence against external aggression. It also states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack against all three.
The publication describes the partnership as a combination of Saudi Arabia’s financial resources, Türkiye’s defence technology and Pakistan’s military capabilities.
It also recognises the roles played by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir in strengthening the strategic relationship.
Pakistan has also secured strong representation in the publication’s top 50 rankings.
Religious scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani has been ranked seventh, making him one of the highest-ranked Pakistani personalities.
Maulana Tariq Jamil secured the 32nd position, while Tablighi Jamaat leader Maulana Nazar ur-Rehman ranked 41st.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadri has been placed at number 44.
Together with Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir, these personalities bring Pakistan’s total representation in the top 50 to six.
Former prime minister Imran Khan has also been included in the publication’s political honourable mentions.
The 2027 edition features several other prominent international personalities.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has been ranked fourth, followed by Jordan’s King Abdullah II at fifth.
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani secured sixth place, while UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ranked 12th.
Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah has been placed at number 39.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also appears in the top 50, securing the 49th position.
Published annually since 2009, The Muslim 500 highlights influential personalities across politics, religion, business, science, culture and other fields.
The latest edition places Pakistan’s political, military and religious figures among influential personalities shaping Muslim communities and international affairs.
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The joint first-place recognition also highlights the growing strategic cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
