ANKARA, May 19 (APP): The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Palestine and Turkey left here for New York on Wednesday to participate in the urgent meeting of the UN General Assembly to discuss the “grave deterioration” of the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Turkish FM counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu and Palestine’s FM Dr Riyad Al Maliki departed via the special flight of the government Turkey to jointly raise voice on the plight of Palestinians.
The UNGA session is in response to a request from the chairmen of the OIC Group at the UN and the Arab Group in a joint letter to the 193-member Assembly President Volkan Bozkir of Turkey.
The letter was signed by Niger’s Ambassador Abdou Abarry, who is chairman of the OIC Group, and Algeria’s Ambassador Sofiane Mimouni, who heads the Arab Group.
Foreign Minister Qureshi will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the General Assembly session on “The situation in the Middle East” and the “Question of Palestine”.
The foreign minister is on diplomatic mission to support Palestine, under special instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Before departure, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Palestinian counterpart in a meeting expressed commitment to make strong efforts to draw the world’s attention towards the atrocities committed by the Israeli forces against innocent .
Qureshi said Pakistan would continue to stand with Palestinians in their demand for a separate homeland.
Dr Riyad Al Maliki lauded the efforts of Pakistan for highlighting the issue of Palestine at all international fora.
Pakistan has dispatched third consignment of 20 tons of relief goods for the people in Gaza.
The consignment of relief goods was sent from Nur Khan Air base by a special flight of Pakistan Air force.
According to details, Pakistan takes the lead in helping innocent Palestinian brothers and sisters.
The third aid consignment contains about 20 tons of essential items including surgical and medical supplies, dry food items and gift bags for children as well as hygiene kits.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan stands with the Palestinian brothers and sisters in this testing time and will continue to support them.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, Palestine’s Ambassador to Pakistan and representatives of the Armed Forces attended the ceremony to dispatch the relief goods at Nur Khan Air Base.
Speaking on the occasion, the Foreign Minister called for immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
He urged to uphold the basic principles of justice and human rights as well as ensuring the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. He said that more humanitarian aid is also being arranged for the war affected brothers and sisters in Gaza.
Jalil Abbas Jilani also expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and strongly condemned the use of indiscriminate force by Israel particularly against Palestinian women and children.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP): The Foreign Office on Saturday said that Pakistan was deeply disappointed that the UN Security Council once again failed to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, even in the face of a human tragedy of epic proportions taking place there.
Despite the invocation of Article-99 of the UN Charter by the Secretary-General and his warnings of humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the Council has failed to perform its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security. The collective punishment endured by the besieged people of Gaza is unprecedented and unacceptable,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press statement.
Pakistan reiterated its call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel must end its barbaric attacks and inhumane siege against Gaza.
“We urge the UN Security Council to act now, end this inhuman war and protect the people of Gaza from an impending genocide,” it was stressed.
The spokesperson said that continuation of Israel’s campaign in occupied Palestine would prolong human suffering, with massive civilian casualties and forced displacement of millions of people.
It could also trigger a wider and more dangerous conflict. A heavy responsibility rested on all who have contributed to the prolongation of uninterrupted bombing of the people of Gaza, it was added.
Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Ambassador Usman Iqbal Jadoon has asked the General Assembly and UN Security Council to consider the establishment of a special tribunal and accountability mechanism to investigate Israel’s atrocity crimes in Palestine.
Taking part in the UN General Assembly Debate on the “Question of Palestine”, Ambassador Usman Iqbal Jadoon asked that deployment of an international protection force or mechanism to protect Palestinian civilians, especially women and children in Gaza and West Bank and play its role in the restoration of the peace process.
The Ambassador regretted that the General Assembly’s call was not heeded by Israel, which continued its indiscriminate and criminal attacks against the Palestinian people. Israel also ignored the call from the Security Council to comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children; and to refrain from depriving the civilian population in the Gaza Strip of basic services and humanitarian assistance indispensable to their survival.
He strongly condemned the indiscriminate use of force by Israel. He said Israel’s attacks on civilians, civilian objects and infrastructure, blockading of water, food and fuel, as well as the forced displacement of people within the occupied territory, are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and may amount to the crime of genocide.
The Ambassador appreciated the efforts undertaken by Qatar and Egypt to save precious lives. Pakistan’s position, however, remains in favour of a complete and immediate cessation of hostilities. He said the Israeli killing machine operating with complete impunity needs to be stopped and Israel must be held accountable for its defiance and criminal actions.
