ISLAMABAD, Aug 29 (APP): Pakistan on Thursday called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to take urgent action to stop the genocide of the Palestinian people and to hold Israel accountable for its blatant violations of international laws and the UN Charter.
This appeal was made by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during her weekly press briefing.
Expressing deep concerns over a recent large-scale military incursion by Israeli forces in the northern Occupied West Bank, Baloch emphasized that this attack represents yet another violation of international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention, which prohibits the indiscriminate targeting of civilians.
She condemned Israel’s repeated use of force, including airstrikes and drone attacks on populated areas, labeling these actions as clear violations of international humanitarian laws. Additionally, she strongly condemned the bombing of the historic Grand Mosque in Khan Younis by Israeli forces, which she described as an assault on a site of profound cultural and religious significance.
The spokesperson also discussed Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic engagements, highlighting that invitations have been sent to all heads of government of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries, including India, for the upcoming Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad on October 15-16, 2024. She confirmed that Pakistan has already received confirmations from some of the invited countries.
Baloch took the opportunity to remember the late Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani, whose third death anniversary will be observed on September 1. She paid tribute to Geelani’s struggle for the right to self-determination for Kashmiris and reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to providing political, diplomatic, and moral support to the Kashmiri people for a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with UNSC resolutions.
Regarding other diplomatic activities, Baloch noted that Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi led a Pakistani delegation to Cameroon for the 50th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, where he shared Pakistan’s stance on the genocide in Gaza, the dire humanitarian situation, and Israeli actions threatening regional peace. He also addressed issues such as Indian atrocities in IIOJK, Islamophobia, and climate change.
The spokesperson also mentioned the 8th session of Pakistan-Oman Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) held in Muscat earlier this week. The discussions covered various aspects of bilateral cooperation, including political relations, trade, investment, security, defense, culture, health, and consular matters.
Additionally, she noted that Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq led a parliamentary delegation on an official visit to Belarus, where he met with top Belarusian officials, including the President. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with a particular focus on increasing trade and enhancing cooperation in agriculture, industry, education, and culture.
Responding to a question about talks with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch stated that the government has no plans to engage in negotiations with the group.
She added that the presence of terror groups, including the TTP in Afghanistan, has been confirmed by multiple international reports, including those from the United Nations.
