FO urges UN proactive role for Gaza ceasefire

Pakistan, while strongly condemning the indiscriminate use of force by Israeli authorities in Gaza, on Thursday called for an end to the “inhumane” blockade causing the humanitarian situation, besides urging the United Nations’s proactive role in facilitating a ceasefire.

“We are deeply concerned about the fast-deteriorating and dire humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the inhumane blockade and collective punishment by Israeli forces. The decision to cut off electricity, fuel and water supplies is unjust and should be reversed, as it would severely impact the lives of the Palestinians residing in the enclave,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in her weekly news briefing.

She said the unprecedented gravity of the situation demanded urgent intervention by the international community. “We urge the United Nations to play a proactive role in facilitating a ceasefire to alleviate the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza,” she said.

She called upon Israel to bring an immediate end to its campaign of indiscriminate bombing against the people of Gaza. “It should fulfill its obligations as an occupying power under international law, lift the blockade and allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people,” the spokesperson remarked.

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She said the current cycle of aggression and violence was a sad reminder and a direct consequence of over seven decades of illegal foreign occupation, aggression, and disrespect for international law, including the UNSC resolutions that recognised the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.

Pakistan has been constantly warning against serious consequences of Israel’s escalatory and provocative actions in recent months, she added.

Spokesperson Baloch called for the international community’s role for a just, comprehensive, and lasting two-state solution with a viable, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

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She told the media that Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the OIC in Jeddah was in consultation with other member countries of the OIC and discussions are ongoing with respect to a special meeting of the OIC with regards to the current situation in occupied Palestinian territories.

Responding to a question, the spokesperson said India as host of the World Cup had the responsibility to provide seamless security for Pakistan’s cricket team and officials who were in India for the World Cup.

Regrettably, she said, Pakistani sports presenter Zainab was intimidated through the registration of an FIR against her on the basis of some attributed tweets made several years ago.

With regards to visas, Pakistan has remained in contact with the Indian authorities and had impressed on them to issue visas to all Pakistani journalists who have been accredited by the ICC and to Pakistani spectators who are in possession of valid tickets for these cricket matches.

Regarding the earthquake in Afghanistan, she said Pakistan stood in solidarity with its Afghan brothers and sisters and remained in contact with the Interim Afghan Government to meet any needs that they may have during the relief and recovery efforts.