Senate panel denounces US proposal to remove Palestinians from Gaza

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs condemned the US proposal of removing the Palestinians from Gaza and decided to present a resolution condemning the United States government's proposal.

In the meeting of the Senate Committee on foreign Affairs on Tuesday that was presided over by Chairman Senator Irfan Siddiqui. The Chairman sought from the foreign office to draft a resolution, for presentation in the Senate, condemning relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia as proposed by the US president. The resolution was prompted by a recent briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Senator Irfan ul Haque Siddiqui inquired about the steps being taken by the Pakistani government in response to the US proposal. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to reject the proposal, asking about the involvement of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in addressing the issue. In response, the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the OIC in collaboration with the Arab League plans to hold a joint summit on the matter, focusing on diplomatic measures to counter the US plan.

The Committee’s stance follows the alarming situation in Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has resulted in catastrophic loss of life. Since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, at least 61,709 people have been killed in Gaza, including 17,492 children. Over 111,588 people have been injured. In the occupied West Bank, 905 people have been killed, including 181 children, and more than 7,370 have been injured. The committee highlighted the continuous violations of ceasefire agreements by Israeli Occupation Forces, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis.

Senator Siddiqui stressed the urgency of taking a united stance on the Palestinian issue and underlined the importance of Pakistan’s support for the rights of Palestinians, urging the international community to ensure the protection of innocent lives. The committee was also briefed on the status of the ceasefire agreement of January 19, 2025 and the prisoner exchange. The first 42-day ceasefire agreement also includes the release of 33 Israeli captives and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

In addition Senator Rana Mehmood ul Hassan raised the issue of visas for certain Muslim countries. The chairman committee sought a detailed briefing on visa issues faced by Pakistanis in the next meeting. Furthermore the committee sought a detailed briefing on the abduction of a Pakistani girl in South Africa. The ministry was informed that the issue was taken up by the South African embassy for the girl's recovery. The Chairman recommended to expedite the issue and sought a report by the ministry.

During the meeting, the committee received a briefing on the comments made by Richard Grenell, the designated US Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, regarding political figures in Pakistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that Grenell’s statements were made in a personal capacity and did not warrant an official response from the Pakistani government. It confirmed that the Pakistani Ambassador in the US had addressed the issue during media interactions in Pakistan.

The committee was also updated on the ongoing efforts to repatriate survivors of the Moroccan boat tragedy that occurred in January. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs successfully repatriated 22 survivors and arranged the return of eight bodies. The Ministry continues to coordinate with Moroccan authorities to facilitate the return of the remaining bodies.

Earlier in the meeting, the Committee Chairman Senator Irfan Siddiqui deferred agenda regarding a briefing on the deputation of officers and officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Another agenda item of an in-camera briefing on Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, to be discussed at the panel's next meeting, was also deferred.