“Pakistan believes, that the only just and lasting solution, is the creation of an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif, as its capital,”
PM urges renewed diplomacy to end hostilities in Middle East
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 25 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for renewed diplomatic efforts to end escalating hostilities in the Middle East, stressing that vital maritime routes must remain open for global trade and economic activity.
He said that the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-al-Mandeb were arteries of the global economy and they must be kept open to facilitate connectivity and prosperity rather than allowing them to become flashpoints of confrontation.
Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the prime minister recalled Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts during the conflict that engulfed the Gulf and wider Middle East in February, saying Islamabad had worked to bring Washington and Tehran together.
He said the Islamabad Talks and subsequent Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding marked important steps towards ending the conflict.
The prime minister paid tribute to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for their efforts in creating space for diplomacy under difficult circumstances.
Expressing concern over the recent surge in hostilities, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the international community must ensure that diplomacy prevailed amid continued military confrontation.
Condemning Israel’s aggression against Palestinians, the prime minister regretted that Israeli violence had now spread to the West Bank, where, the forcible eviction of Palestinians, clearly reflected, Israel’s genocidal agenda, which continued, unabated.
“Pakistan believes, that the only just and lasting solution, is the creation of an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif, as its capital,” he added.
He also condemned continued Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Syria which he urged must be stopped immediately.
The prime minister said war was a choice but peace was a far better choice. “Pakistan has made its choice. We have chosen dialogue over confrontation. We have chosen cooperation over coercion. We have chosen peace over war.”
