ISLAMABAD: Speakers and diplomats have reiterated Pakistan’s support for Palestine, and stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire, which they said was the responsibility and duty of the international community.
According to a press release, they expressed these remarks during an event organized by the Centre for Afghanistan Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) to express solidarity with the people of Palestine on the ‘Global Day of Action for Gaza.’
Nader al Turk, Deputy Chief of the Palestine Mission in Pakistan, attended the event. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, DG ISSI; Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, head BoG ISSI; Director CAMEA, Amina Khan; and members of team CAMEA were also present on the occasion.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, underscored Pakistan’s unwavering support for the just cause of the Palestinian people. Emphasizing the need for a fair resolution, he called for the establishment of an independent, viable, sovereign, and contiguous Palestinian State along the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds-Al-Sharif as its capital.
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The Ambassador reiterated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ stance regarding Pakistan’s support for South Africa’s application before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning Israel’s violation of its obligations under the 1951 Genocide Convention in relation to Palestinians in Gaza. He also asserted that the relentless military offensive by Israel against the Palestinians could not be considered justifiable under the excuse of self-defence. Expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine over the enormous human losses incurred due to Israeli assault, he also underlined Pakistan’s stance for an immediate and unconditional truce.
Reaffirmed 🇵🇰’s abiding solidarity with Palestinian cause while marking Global Day of Action for Gaza. DHM from 🇵🇸Emb Nadir al Turk joined. As it calls for urgent ceasefire,🇵🇰remains steadfast in its support for realisation of Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination pic.twitter.com/8jZMp3uuV4
— Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (@ISSIslamabad) January 13, 2024
Amina Khan, while expressing her views, said that Pakistan will continue to stand firmly with the people of Palestine until the legitimate rights of the people are achieved. She strongly condemned Israel’s systematic and brutal occupation, tantamount to genocide, and called for the lifting of the inhumane siege and urgent need for a ceasefire.
Nader al Turk, shed light on the dire conditions faced by Palestinians, particularly children and women, in the Gaza Strip. He labeled the ongoing situation as genocide and praised the resilience of the Palestinian people in their quest for justice. Turk expressed gratitude for the continuous historic support from Pakistan, commending the visionary stance of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on the issue.
He also termed the ties between Pakistan and Palestine as deep and expressed his belief that it will continue to grow stronger.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood reiterated Islamabad’s support for Palestine, and stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire, which he said was the responsibility of the international community.
