ISTANBUL, Turkey, May 19 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has reiterated that Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the Palestinian people in the face of
unbridled tyranny.
He said Pakistan joins the OIC countries in conveying its strong condemnation of the massacre and maiming of innocent Palestinians by Israeli forces earlier this week.
In a statement at the 7th extraordinary Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit on the question of Palestine held here, he said “We are at an important juncture in history. It is no longer a question of choice but of necessity – to rise above our differences, demonstrate solidarity and support for the people of Palestine and
above all ensure that international law is upheld without exception.”
The prime minister stressed that OIC countries’ response should therefore, be multi-pronged and well-considered.
“On the one hand, it is essential to reaffirm and renew our full solidarity and unity among and between our countries and peoples.
We must also set aside our political differences. Even more important is to faithfully implement the OIC plans of action that are already in place in diverse areas,” he added.
He noted that only by taking these actions, they could resist external pressures, reverse the losses and take their destinies in their own hands.
The prime minister suggested that on the diplomatic front, they must continue to demand that the UN Security Council fulfilled its key responsibility for implementation of its existing resolutions.
The OIC must demand accountability for defiance of its decisions.
The OIC members must underscore that the Council’s credibility would
be questioned if it did not deliver on its duty to ensure implementation of its resolutions, he stressed.
The prime minister said “We must reject double standards in the enforcement of Council resolutions.”
He observed that if the UN Security Council was unable or unwilling to act, they should mobilize support in the UN General Assembly for rejection of revisionist decisions and ensuring accountability of violators of international law.
He also stressed for follow-up on OIC decisions for economic and other appropriate actions to change the behavior of the occupying forces.
The prime minister also suggested that they should also consider the possibility of seeking the ICJ’s advisory opinion on the illegality of recent actions.
Besides, he said, the OIC member countries needed to reach out to other states and groups ‘to sustain support for the just cause of the Palestinians, put an end to continued killings and state terrorism and build an independent and contiguous State of Palestine, on the basis of internationally agreed parameters, the pre-1967 borders,
and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital’.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said it was deeply regrettable that the US did not heed to universal calls for rescinding its decisions about recognizing Jerusalem as the so-called capital of Israel, and relocation of its Embassy to the Holy City.
“It is, therefore, in the fitness of things that our conference resolutely condemns and rejects unilateral decisions and recurrent violations of international legality. Concurrently, it is heartening to note the strong message of solidarity and support by the OIC for their Palestinian brothers and sisters in these turbulent times,” he added.
The prime minister said these killings represent yet another brazen chapter in the seventy years of injustice to the people of Palestine.
This year also marked the 70th anniversary of deliberate Israeli defiance of international law and norms, he added.
The prime minister was attending the OIC extraordinary summit on the special invitation of Turkish prime minister.
He said the OIC gathering was important both for its key messages and a response strategy in the face of injustice, illegality and impunity against their Palestinian brothers and sisters.
He said they also saw this Summit as an occasion for introspection and charting a path for justice and equity for the people of Palestine and stressed for unity in their
ranks and evolving of an effective response strategy.
The prime minister also recalled the two questions that he had placed before previous extraordinary summit here last December.
Firstly, how have we come to this pass? The fact was that they had not given concrete shape to their expressions of solidarity and unity. This has been true, not only for
Palestine but for other common causes also.
“The world is witness to a similar pattern of tragedy, both in scope and scale. For seven decades, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been subjected to illegal
Indian occupation and blatant violation of their fundamental rights including their right to self-determination. As in the case of Palestine, the UN Security Council resolutions
continue to be defied and the just struggle for freedom conveniently branded as terrorism,” he added.
Prime minister Abbasi said without rectifying their political, economic, communication and technological weaknesses, they would not be able to mount a sustained
defense of their brethren, whether in Palestine or Kashmir.
The second key question was, he said, what should be our response? Should they accept defiance of international law and the reign of state terrorism as fait accompli? It is
clear that only a demonstration of rage would not be sufficient to alter the status quo.
The prime minister said Pakistan on Friday commemorated a day of solidarity with the Palestinian people and special prayers were held in the mosques.
He also appreciated president of Turkey for convening the timely and important OIC summit.