ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday welcomed ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and hoped that the ceasefire deal will set the stage for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza Strip.
“Pakistan firmly supports Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability; and stress the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to those affected; the safe return of displaced persons; and facilitating the reconstruction of conflict-affected areas,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at her weekly press briefing.
She said that Pakistan believed this ceasefire is a critical step towards de-escalating tensions and preventing a broader conflict in the region.
“Pakistan hopes that the ceasefire agreement will set the stage for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza Strip and other occupied Palestinian territories; an end to genocide in Gaza; and humanitarian relief to the Palestinian people,” Baloch maintained.
Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan to Visit Iran
Baloch announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar will undertake an official visit to Mashhad, Iran from 02-03 December 2024 to attend the 28th Meeting of Council of Ministers of Economic Cooperation Organization.
In his address at the Meeting, Dar will reiterate Pakistan’s commitment to the ECO Charter and highlight the potential of greater connectivity in the ECO region, through development of road and rail networks; liberalization of visa regimes and simplification of border procedures; and to attain sustainable growth and enhance geo-economic potential of the ECO region.
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He will also reiterate the Pakistan’s concerns over hostilities in the Middle East, endangering the regional peace and security.
The spokesperson also confirmed that Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch participated in the second meeting of the “Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution” held in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday.
At the forum, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Islamabad’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
She called for a ceasefire in Gaza; a comprehensive approach for resolution of the Palestinian question, with the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital; and full membership of Palestine in the United Nations.
The Foreign Secretary also emphasized the imperative for the international community to intensify its efforts for lasting peace in the region.
Belarus’s President visits Pakistan
The spokesperson said that during the visit of President of Belarus to Islamabad, President Lukashenko held extensive talks with the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The two sides discussed areas of bilateral cooperation and engagement; and key regional and global developments.
The two leaders also signed several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) focussing on cooperation in environmental protection, disaster management, halal trade, financial intelligence sharing, vocational education and science & technology, Baloch added.
The “Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus for 2025-2027” was signed during the visit, she said.
The roadmap outlined a strategic framework for enhancing economic ties through high-level meetings, inter-governmental commissions, and targeted collaborative initiatives, reinforcing the importance of regional economic integration, connectivity and legal frameworks needed to facilitate bilateral economic collaboration.
Pak-Russia Ties
The spokesperson told the media that Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, is on an official visit to Moscow.
The visit aims to further strengthen and expand friendly ties between the governments and the people of the two countries through parliamentary exchanges, she added.
An MoU will also be signed between the State Duma (lower house of Russian Federation) and the National Assembly of Pakistan, on expanding parliamentary cooperation and exchanges.
IIOJK
She said that Pakistan expressed grave concern over Indian military brutality in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and demanded that the perpetrators of the custodial torture are held accountable.
Her remarks came as last week, four Kashmiri civilians were subjected to severe torture at an Indian Army Camp in Chas area of Mughal Maidan, Kishtwar in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Causing significant outrage across IIOJK, the incident is the latest in a series of similar abuses spread over the last several decades.
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.
