ISLAMABAD: A multi-party conference on Monday called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and for holding Israel accountable for its “violations of international law, war crimes and acts of genocide”.
The forum also called for the lifting of the siege of Gaza and provision of unimpeded humanitarian and medical aid, according to a declaration adopted by the All Parties Conference (APC) held at the President House in Islamabad, the Radio Pakistan reported.
The conference urged the international community to take urgent measures to prevent Israel from further undermining regional peace and stability, including the prevention of Israeli aggression against Lebanon and other regional countries.
Condemning Israeli actions, the forum expressed full support for the ongoing political and diplomatic efforts by the OIC, the League of Arab States, the United Nations, and other brotherly countries in addressing the prevailing situation in Occupied Palestine, as well as for the peace and stability of the broader region.
It called on the OIC to convene an emergency summit to discuss the situation in Palestine, Israel’s brutal aggression in the region and its implications for regional peace and security and underscored the need for unity of the Islamic Ummah.
The forum expressed its support to the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Refugees in providing relief to the Palestinian people. It affirmed Pakistan’s determination to “redouble its efforts for all possible political, diplomatic, moral and humanitarian support for the brotherly people of Palestine”.
The conference declared unwavering support for the realisation of the right to self-determination and other fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, as well as for the “establishment of a viable, secure, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, as well as for the State of Palestine’s full UN membership”.
It called on the government of Pakistan to continue extending political, diplomatic and humanitarian support to the brotherly people of Palestine and to support diplomatic efforts for bringing an end to the genocide in Gaza. The conference decided to observe, with specialfervour, 29 November 2024 as a Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Participants strongly reaffirmed the right of the people of Kashmir to self-determination and called for the settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people and the relevant UN resolutions.
In his inaugural speech, President Asif Ali Zardari said it has been one year since the start of Israel’s brutal aggression on Gaza, which has resulted in the death of more than 40,000 Palestinians.
The President said Pakistan is deeply concerned over the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East. He said the prevailing culture of impunity and disregard of international law must be addressed urgently. He said Pakistan reiterates its call for the United Nations Security Council to uphold peace and security in the region, safeguard Lebanon’s sovereignty, put an end to ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza. He said it was the time for the Muslim World to move forward and take “practical steps to prevent Israel from further bloodshed in Palestine”. The Prime Minister announced a working group to be formulated that would take decisions in the light of proposals presented at the conference.
He also agreed with other participants’ views that instead of adhering to a two-state solution, the focus should be on demanding for an independent state of Palestine with Al-Quds as its capital. As regards dispatching relief goods to Palestine, PM Sharif said the government was making all out efforts in this regard. He announced the orphan Palestinian students would be given admissions and other facilities in Pakistan’s medical colleges.
PML-N President Nawaz Sharif questioned the “strange silence” adopted by the world community on this issue of humanity. He commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for forcefully raising the issue of Palestine. He urged Muslim countries to get united and evolve a joint strategy to get the ongoing bloodshed in Palestine stopped.
JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said a joint platform of leading Muslim countries should be formed to evolve a common strategy to face multiple challenges.
Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said Israel is carrying out genocide in Palestine. He added Israeli forces are committing worst atrocities against the humanity. He said it is also responsibility of the international community to play its role in stopping the Israeli brutalities in Palestine.
He proposed convening a meeting of the Islamic countries to adopt a common stance in this regard. He said Pakistan should play a proactive role to launch a diplomatic campaign to highlight this issue at the world fora.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the entire Pakistani nation is standing behind the Palestinian brothers and sisters in their struggle against Israeli oppression. He stressed the need for launching an intensive diplomatic campaign to fight the case of Palestinians on diplomatic and legal fronts.