PM Shehbaz strongly condemns the ongoing Israeli brutalities in Gaza that have continued relentlessly since October 7, 2023

ISLAMABAD, April 04 (SABAH): Ambassador Ahmed Jawad A.A. Rabei, Ambassador of Palestine, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday.

The Prime Minister was assisted by Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi. The Prime Minister thanked the President of Palestine Dr. Mahmoud Abbas for his warm congratulatory message to him following his re-election. He said Pakistan had a historic and close relationship with the brotherly State of Palestine and it had consistently supported the Palestine cause, at the United Nations (UN), Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as well as other international platforms. The Prime Minister strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli brutalities in Gaza that have continued relentlessly since October 7, 2023 and called for an immediate end to the genocidal war waged by Israel against the brave and innocent Palestinian people.

PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep condolences over the tragic death of over 32,000 Palestinians, including 17,000 children, as well as more than 70,000 injured by the brutal actions of Israeli security forces. The Prime Minister recalled the interim ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case filed by South Africa and stated that Pakistan had also made a verbal statement in support of Palestine at the ICJ. While welcoming the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2728, the Prime Minister expressed disappointment that Israel had chosen to ignore the resolution and continued to brazenly violate it.

PM Shehbaz Sharif assured the Palestinian Ambassador that Pakistan would continue to raise its voice at every international forum in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Pakistan has so far, sent seven tranches of relief goods for the people of Gaza. Another tranche is planned soon after Eid.

The Palestinian Ambassador thanked the Prime Minister and the people of Pakistan for supporting the Palestinian people, which was a source of strength for them at this difficult time.