ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday welcomed the “Declaration of Unity” signed by Palestinian political factions in Beijing while acknowledging and appreciating China’s role in bringing the factions together for meaningful negotiations.
“Unity among the Palestinian people is of paramount importance in light of the ongoing war crimes against the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza, and the blatant disregard for international law by the Israeli occupation forces,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in her weekly. press briefing.
She called on the international community to immediately intervene and end the ongoing illegal and continuous aggression in Gaza and reiterated that Pakistan supports the realization of the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination, their right to return to Palestine and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine with Al-Quds Al- Sharif.
Regarding the Geneva Human Rights Committee’s regular report on India, it said during the proceedings that important issues were raised regarding arrests under draconian laws such as the Public Security Act and the Public Security Act and the frequent suspension of mobile internet service in India Illegally occupied Jammu. and Kashmir.
We call on the international community to take note of this human rights violation by India in the IIOJK and end the oppression of the Kashmiri people.” ” she said, reiterating Pakistan’s continued political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people.
The spokesman announced that at the invitation of the Chairman of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will visit Tehran.
The visit confirms the determination of both countries to strengthen leadership-level engagement and bilateral cooperation, she added.
Similarly, Foreign Minister Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi will lead the Pakistani delegation to the 31st Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to be held on July 27, 2024 in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, where they will participate in discussions on political and security issues. Pakistani perspective and also holds bilateral meetings with the dignitaries involved.
The media also reported on the visit of the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov from July 22 to 25, who, in addition to extensive meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister, called on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and co-chairman of the third round of bilateral political consultations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.
During the talks, the two sides agreed to intensify efforts in political, economic and defense cooperation; promote parliamentary, cultural and educational exchanges; and strengthen cooperation in multilateral fora. The two sides also exchanged views on global and regional developments, including the situation in Afghanistan and the IIOJK.
Spokesman Baloch said outgoing Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Secretary General Ambassador Khusrav Noziri arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day visit to meet the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and Trade Ministers.
Secretary-General Noziri is on a farewell visit to Pakistan, where his term ends next month. From next month, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Dr. Asad Majeed Khan.
The spokesperson briefed the media about a two-day regional conference on the Central Asia Dual-Use Export Control Program hosted by Pakistan on July 24-25 and attended by senior officials and experts from Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, The US, the EU, the UN and other international organizations to discuss national approaches to strategic trade controls and promote international cooperation in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1540.
To a question, she said that Pakistan had taken up the matter of the attack on its consulate in Frankfurt with the German government and continued to take measures and cooperate with the host government to ensure the security of its diplomatic missions.
When asked about reports of the US administration seeking a $101 million budget for Pakistan, she called it an internal debate between the US Congress and the US administration. However, according to her, this aid is traditionally intended for the field of civil society and the support of strategic priority areas of the USA.
Regarding the US official’s statement about using the said aid to balance China’s role, she said Pakistan does not believe in situations where the relationship with one country can be sacrificed on the altar of any other country’s relationship.
To a question, she said Pakistan took note of the discussion at a “private event” held in a side room of the House of Lords, organized by a political party in London, which also invited some MPs. However, she said that parliamentarians and legislative bodies should contribute to promoting positive dynamics in bilateral relations and developing mutual understanding and respect.
The spokesman told the media that Pakistan has already sent shipments of humanitarian goods for the suffering Palestine and is working to send more in the coming days.
