FM Qureshi contacts Saudi FM to convey ‘Pakistan’s serious concerns’ on Palestine situation
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a phone call with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia on May 14 to discuss the serious situation in Palestine amid continued attacks by Israel.
During the conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s serious concerns on the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and grave human rights violations.
He condemned the continued attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces against the Palestinians, in particular innocent civilians and children, adding that the Israeli acts defied all norms of humanity and international law.
At least 137 Palestinians, including 36 children, have been killed and 920 have been wounded as of early Saturday (May 15) as Israel continue bombing in Palestine.
Foreign Minister Qureshi recalled the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Joint Statement issued during the recent visit of the Prime Minister to the Kingdom, on May 8, 2021, which, inter alia, included the two countries’ shared perspective on the Palestinian issue.
FM Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, especially their right to self-determination and establishment of their independent state with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions.
Saudi Foreign Minister briefed Pakistan foreign minister regarding the initiatives being taken to address the situation.
Pakistan welcomed the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to convene an Emergency Meeting of the OIC’s Executive Committee at Foreign Ministers level on 16 May 2021. He assured the Saudi Foreign Minister of Pakistan’s unequivocal support for the just cause of Palestine.