Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Sunday called out Israel for committing genocide against the people of Palestine as atrocities in Gaza continue to rage on.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he described the current situation as a consequence of "seven decades of illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories".
Israel committed aggression and conducted aerial attacks over Gaza, resulting in the deaths of scores of women and children, said Jillani, adding that any attempt to equate Israel, an aggressor, with the Palestinians' struggle for self-determination is "unacceptable".
He categorically maintained that there was no change in Pakistan's policy regarding Israel. It would continue pursuing the same policy adopted in the past and would continue to do so until the Palestinians attain their right to self-determination under United Nations Security Council and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolutions, he said.
The interim minister reteriated that Pakistan condemns the siege of Gaza as the Palestinian people continue to face unabated Israeli aggression while deprived of water, food and power. The situation has lead to a severe human crisis, he said.
Jillani asserted that Israel should respect and implement international laws, the UNSC and the OIC resolutions over Palestinians’ rights to self-determination for an independent state.
He stated that an emergency meeting of the executive committee of OIC will be held in Jeddah on October 18 to discuss the ongoing situation in Palestine.
FM Jilani further stressed on the separate status of Palestine under the two-state policy accepted by the international community, with an independent state of Palestine having pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
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Regarding humanitarian aid for besieged Palestinians, Jillani said that his office was in touch with the international community and Muslim countries. "Unfortunately, there is a complete siege of Gaza."
He said this aspect would be highlighted during the upcoming OIC executive committee meeting, where they would consider the coordinated response of OIC member countries on how to end the violence perpetrated by Israel and provide immediate humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.
Pakistan is ready to provide humanitarian assistance and has been in touch with the Egyptian authorities, he apprised, adding that the OIC committee meeting would make a forceful case for the early resolution of the issue.
PM Kakar's China visit
About Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar's upcoming visit to China on October 17-18 to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for international cooperation, Jillani said the PM would hold meetings with Chinese leaders, global leaders, and top Chinese business leaders.
The interim premier will discuss joint ventures with Chinese companies, according to Jillani, who said that a number of MOUs related to agriculture, health, industrial, green energy,and space technology cooperation will be signed during the upcoming visit.
The foreign minister further said that the visit would "enhance the ongoing strong bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and China as 'Iron Brothers' and would help strengthen bilateral ties".
"The visit will also provide an opportunity to review the entire gamut of cooperation and Pak-China strategic cooperation. The visit also marks 10 years of the CPEC and Belt and Road Initiative," he added.
The foreign minister further informed that the caretaker prime minister would also visit the Xinjiang region bordering Pakistan and eight other countries in the region.
He termed CPEC as an economic success story for both sides and a model of excellent economic cooperation despite external dimensions involving certain security challenges.
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Both countries coordinated to counter terrorist activities, and both sides expressed satisfaction over ongoing bilateral cooperation. They have completed the first phase of CPEC and are entering the second phase, which relates to industrial, technological, and agricultural cooperation, he added.
Jilani, in response to a query, advised not to pay attention to propaganda about CPEC, adding that the railways project was part of ongoing negotiations between the two sides and was in an advanced stage. He expressed hope that an agreement in this regard would be concluded soon.
'Illegal' foreigners
Regarding the expulsion of illegal foreigners, he said the policy did not pertain to Afghans only but applied to all illegal foreigners living in Pakistan without legal documents.
In response to a question about the recovery of fake national passports from Afghans, he said the interior ministry was investigating the issue.
He said Pakistan has always supported Afghanistan in difficult times while adding that there is ongoing cooperation between the two countries in economic and trade fields.
He described his recent meeting with the Afghan interim foreign minister in Azerbaijan as very constructive.
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Jilani said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have very close relations and coordinate positions. They always consult with each other on important issues. Both brotherly countries have close economic and defense cooperation and also converge on different strategic issues, he added.
The foreign minister also criticized the Indian government for not allowing Pakistani spectators and journalists to visit and watch ICC World Cup matches.
He said it showed shortsightedness and was highly condemnable. "India has set a very wrong precedent and violated international norms and the ICC charter."
Regarding his recent participation in an ECO meeting in Azerbaijan, the foreign minister said that member countries reaffirmed their support for shared prosperity and connectivity.
He said Pakistan and Iran have a road and railway corridor network. The land corridor between Iran and Azerbaijan would be another connectivity network connecting Pakistan with the Central Asian Republics and Russia, he added.
He noted that the people of Azerbaijan were very grateful to the people of Pakistan for their support.
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