ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the dire situation in Occupied Palestine posed a serious challenge to international peace and security, and the international community must enhance its efforts to bring an end to the endless violations of the rights of the Palestinians.

“To improve the prospects of a two-state solution, it is essential to stop Israel from expanding its illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem,” the prime minister said in his message on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People annually observed on November 29.

On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, the prime minister expressed their unwavering support to the people of Palestine, especially on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

He said it was a matter of grave concern that the Palestinians had continued to suffer under illegal Israeli occupation for over seven decades.

The prime minister said that in addition to many injustices, the Palestinians endured in their daily lives at the hands of the occupying force, the brutal occupation has resulted in misery, frustration and hopelessness.

“The most recent example of the incessant Israeli violence was seen in August this year, when Israeli bombing in Gaza resulted in deaths of approximately 50 Palestinians, including 17 children, and injuries to more than 300,” he remarked.

He said Israel’s actions were emboldened by impunity. As long as the international community does not take any concrete action to bring an end to the atrocities, the Palestinians will continue to suffer deaths, injuries and egregious violations of their human rights, the prime minister commented.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for the two-state solution of the Palestinian issue, as enshrined in relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

“We reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Palestine and call for the establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine on the basis of internationally agreed parameters of the pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds al Sharif as its capital,” he added.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan’s unflagging support to the cause of Palestine against the tyranny and illegal occupation of the Israeli forces.

“Pakistan has historically supported the legitimate struggle of Palestinians and shall continue to do so,” the president said in his message on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

President Alvi said collective voice and action could bring peace and security to the Palestinians and expressed hope that justice and fairness would prevail over tyranny and oppression.

He hoped that the conscience of the world would triumph over narrow self-interests.

He stressed that Pakistan fully supported the Palestinian position and their readiness to negotiate a peace accord based upon internationally recognized terms of reference and pre-1967 borders.

The accord, he said, needed to be under international monitoring, holding accountable the parties and within a determined and binding timeframe, with East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine.

President Alvi pointed out that during the last seven and half decades, there was systematic and increasing abuse of the Palestinians at the hands of Israelis.

“So much of the innocent blood has been shed and the bleeding of Palestinians has not stopped yet. The two undeniable realities of the conflict are unstoppable Israeli violence against Palestinians and the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel,” he said.

The president said the most recent episode of the incessant Israeli violence was seen in August this year when it’s bombing in Gaza resulted in the deaths of approximately 50 Palestinians including 17 children, and injuries to more than 300.

“Despite any action that Israel takes to annex occupied Palestinian territories, the annexation and occupation will remain in contravention of the principles of international humanitarian law and international law,” he said.

Dr Alvi said the occupying power could take control of the territory, but it could not take control of the minds and spirit of the occupied people.

“The struggle of the Palestinians for their freedom will continue until they are given the chance to exercise their right to self-determination and Pakistan will stand by them,” he said.

KABUL (Afghanistan), Nov 29 (APP): Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Tuesday held political consultations with the leadership of the interim government of Afghanistan and discussed multilateral matters of importance.

In a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi, which was also attended by Minister for Mines and Petroleum Shahabuddin Delawar, the discussions focused on bilateral trade, connectivity and people-to-people contacts.

Khar and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi along with their respective delegations also met and discussed matters of bilateral importance.

The meeting focused on political consultations between the two governments. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Afghanistan Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq was also present.

“A range of bilateral issues of common interest including cooperation in education, health, trade and investment, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and socioeconomic projects,” the Foreign Office said.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar had a luncheon meeting with Women Chamber of Commerce, where she underlined the important role of women in the society and expressed Pakistan’s keen interest in strengthening linkages between women entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

She announced that Pakistan would give special preference to import of products produced by businesses run by the women entrepreneurs.

Earlier on her arrival in the Afghan capital, Hina Rabbani Khar was received at the airport by Deputy Minister for Economy Abdul Latif Nazari and the Pakistan embassy’s Head of Mission in Kabul Ubaid-ur-Rahman Nizamani.