ISLAMABAD: As the year marking Israel’s actions in Palestine concludes on October 7, Pakistan has called on the UN Security Council to take decisive action to enforce an immediate and permanent ceasefire, following reports of around 42,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily among women and children. Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during her weekly briefing, condemned Israel’s indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, and demanded accountability for these actions.
Baloch highlighted recent Israeli airstrikes that resulted in civilian casualties, including the attack on Khalifa Bin Zayed School and a mosque, labeling them as war crimes. She reiterated the importance of holding Israel accountable for its actions against the Palestinian people.
In addition to the discussion on Palestine, Baloch shared updates regarding the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council meeting, set for October 15-16, 2024, in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will chair the meeting, which aims to enhance cooperation in various fields among SCO member states.
The spokesperson also condemned the terrorist attack near Karachi airport that killed two Chinese engineers, vowing that Pakistan will not tolerate such acts and is committed to ensuring the safety of Chinese nationals in the country.
Addressing the situation in Kashmir, she urged Indian authorities to lift the ban on the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and release its leader, Yasin Malik, emphasizing Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people.
Finally, Baloch announced a high-level Saudi delegation’s upcoming visit to Pakistan, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, and provided updates on the recent discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim regarding trade cooperation and mutual interests.
