We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Palestine, end to genocide in Gaza: FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch
ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (SABAH): Pakistan has welcomed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution, adopted on Wednesday, demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
At weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan also welcomes the resolution, demanding removal of restrictions against UNRWA and its aid operations in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The FO Spokesperson said we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Palestine, end to genocide in Gaza, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, unrestricted humanitarian access to those who are in need, full support to UNRWA and its mandated humanitarian activities, and healthcare to those who are in urgent need.
The Spokesperson added we also urge the international community to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity in occupied territories.
Turning to prevailing situation in Syria, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan is following the developments in Syria and is concerned about escalation of violence.
She said the government of Pakistan has always supported the efforts, aimed at finding the comprehensive solution to the crisis in Syria. We express our full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.
The FO Spokesperson said we believe that any solution to the situation in Syria should correspond to the aspiration of Syrian people for their security, stability and development.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan believes that it is the right of the people of Syria to determine their future and make decisions about their destiny.
She said we also support efforts to establish inclusive political process based on resolution 2254, which was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council.
The FO Spokesperson said we believe that no foreign interference or external imposition should determine Syria’s future.
Regarding the evacuation of Pakistani nationals including Zaireen from Syria, the FO Spokesperson said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s missions in Syria and Lebanon remained actively engaged in facilitating the process.
She said around four hundred seventy five Pakistanis including two hundred fifty Zaireen have crossed the Syrian border into Lebanon. She said from Beirut, they will be brought back to Islamabad soon.
The Spokesperson said we also appreciate the support extended by the Government of Lebanon in facilitating the safe return of the stranded Pakistanis from Syria.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that in this week of commemorating 77 years of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we express our solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who continue to suffer widespread human rights abuses by the Indian occupation forces. This year’s theme for the Human Rights Day, “Our rights, our future, right now,” is especially relevant for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). We urge India to end the suppression of the rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people who shall be able to exercise their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
She said that the 7th Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific-Technical Cooperation was held in Islamabad on Wednesday. It was co-chaired by Minister for Energy (Power Division), Awais Leghari and Minister for Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, Jum’a Daler Shofaqir.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and tourism. They discussed the importance of devising mechanisms to boost bilateral trade, remove barriers, and establish a Joint Coordination Committee on Transit Trade under the Tajikistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement. Connectivity and energy projects between Pakistan and Central Asia were also discussed.
Pakistan and France held productive consultations in Islamabad on UN Security Council matters. The consultations were co-chaired by Director for UN affairs of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen and Additional Foreign Secretary (UN & OIC) Ambassador Syed Haider Shah.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral cooperation and dialogue and working together for international peace and security. As members of the UN Security Council, Pakistan and France will constructively engage with each other in strengthening multilateralism and addressing global challenges.