Islamabad, In anticipation of the forthcoming special emergency session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Pakistan has expressed hope that the international body will catalyze an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and voice condemnation against the proposed ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
According to a news release by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, during her weekly news briefing held today in Islamabad, Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch voiced her lament over the UN Security Council’s inability to call for a halt in the Gaza violence, even amidst escalating Palestinian casualties and evident breaches of international humanitarian laws.
Baloch was firm in reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and urged Israel’s allies to intervene and stop the ongoing brutalities against the Palestinian populace. She further emphasized the need for lifting the siege on Gaza and ensuring that Israel’s violent campaigns don’t lead to turmoil throughout the Middle East. Pakistan’s stance is clear; the pathway to enduring peace in the region is through the establishment of a secure and sustainable Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
In relation to the recent US sanctions on three Chinese firms over missile-related transactions with Pakistan, the spokesperson commented that similar listings based on suspicions had been seen before, rendering the latest sanctions non-novel. However, Baloch expressed concerns over the seeming contradiction in US policies, pointing out that while these sanctions are imposed, export control waivers have been granted to India for advanced military technologies, undermining the region’s strategic balance.
On the contentious issue of Jammu and Kashmir, Baloch stressed the need for dialogue and peace, urging New Delhi to ensure the welfare of the residents of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). She firmly stated that the inhabitants of IIOJK have never reconciled with the unlawful occupation and emphasized Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Kashmiri cause, both diplomatically and morally.
Regarding the repatriation of illegal foreign nationals, the spokesperson clarified that this move adheres to national laws aiming to uphold Pakistan’s safety. Furthermore, she underscored that Afghan authorities have been informed that the policy isn’t singularly directed towards Afghans.