Islamabad, Islamabad recently became the center of global health discussions as the first ever Global Health Security Summit commenced, aimed at fostering international cooperation against global health threats. The summit, attended by health ministers and experts from over 70 countries, concluded with the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration, which emphasizes actionable plans for health emergencies and equitable healthcare access.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani opened the summit, stressing the need for global solidarity to ensure health security. Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, in his keynote address, emphasized the interdependence of nations in tackling health challenges and called for a united global front.
In a separate development, Pakistan has rejected the US State Department’s designation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), questioning the credibility and transparency of the process. Additionally, Pakistan has expressed its support for South Africa’s application before the International Court of Justice concerning Israel’s alleged violations of the 1951 Genocide Convention against Palestinian people in Gaza.
The briefing also addressed the observance of the Right to Self-Determination Day for the people of Jammu and Kashmir on January 5. This date marks the anniversary of the 1949 UN resolution promising a plebiscite in the region, a right that Pakistan asserts India has continually denied the Kashmiri people.
On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is set to visit Davos, Switzerland, from January 15-19, 2024, to participate in the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum. The Prime Minister is scheduled to attend thematic events and deliver a keynote address on the theme “Trade Tech’s Trillion Dollar Promise.”
The Foreign Ministry’s briefing also addressed questions regarding Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman’s visit to Afghanistan. The spokesperson clarified that Maulana’s visit was private and not government-sponsored, though he received a policy briefing from the Foreign Office before his trip. The Ministry reaffirmed that Pakistan is not in dialogue with the TTP and expects the Afghan authorities to take action against terrorist elements.
Regarding visa issues with the UAE and the recent diplomatic developments involving India, Maldives, and China, the Foreign Ministry preferred not to comment on bilateral relations of sovereign countries but welcomed dialogue and cooperation in the region.