Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, spoke by telephone on Sunday to discuss the situation in Gaza, including the critical humanitarian conditions affecting millions of Palestinian residents.
During the conversation, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people and expressed solidarity with Egypt. He also conveyed Pakistan’s support for convening an Extraordinary Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers to deliberate on the issue. Both ministers agreed to maintain close contact on developments.
The conversation followed Pakistan’s condemnation on Saturday of remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who suggested the Palestinian people should establish a state in Saudi Arabia.
In a press statement, Senator Dar described the Israeli remark as “irresponsible, provocative and thoughtless.”
“The remark is not only deeply offensive but also undermines and disregards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent State on their own historical and legitimate territory,” he said.
Senator Dar affirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and praised its “steadfast support for the Palestinian people and their just cause.”
“Any attempt to undermine Saudi Arabia’s unwavering position and misrepresentation of its commitment to the Palestinian cause is deeply regrettable,” he said.
Senator Dar further stated Pakistan’s firm belief that the Palestinian people have an inalienable right to establish an independent and sovereign state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
He added that “any proposal that seeks to displace or relocate the Palestinian people from their ancestral homeland is unacceptable and constitutes a blatant violation of international law, United Nations resolutions and the principles of justice and fairness.”
“The Government of Pakistan reiterates its unflinching support for the Palestinian cause and will continue to work closely with Saudi Arabia and other members of the international community to advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people and to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian Issue,” Senator Dar said.
Pakistan is urging the international community to denounce the remarks and hold Israel accountable for attempts to undermine the peace process.
