Islamabad : Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch at her weekly media briefing said Pakistan welcomes the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Organization of Islamic Cooperation held in Jeddah and supports its strong condemnation of the unprecedented Israeli aggression against civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Spokesperson said the Council of Foreign Ministers has held the occupying power fully responsible for the ongoing genocide of civilians in Gaza.
Pakistan and the EU held the ninth round of Political Dialogue in Islamabad, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Deputy Secretary General of European External Action Service, Enrique Mora.
The two sides discussed all aspects of Pakistan-EU bilateral relations with a focus on Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP), trade and development cooperation, security, climate change, and migration and mobility
The two sides agreed to further strengthen Pakistan-EU bilateral ties, hold regular meetings of institutional mechanisms undertaking follow-up actions. They also agreed to explore new opportunities under the EU’s flagship programs: Global Gateway Strategy and Horizon Europe.
The two sides also discussed important regional and global developments and underlined the necessity for close cooperation and dialogue amid rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
Pakistan welcomes the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers held yesterday in Jeddah and supports its strong condemnation of the unprecedented Israeli aggression against civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory. The CFM has held the occupying power, fully responsible for the ongoing genocide of civilians in Gaza.
We join their call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of Israeli aggression and the provision of unimpeded and adequate humanitarian, medical and relief aid, the provision of water and electricity, and the opening of humanitarian corridors to deliver urgent aid.
As we move towards the holy month of Ramzan, we call for urgent relief to the people of Palestine and unrestricted access to Palestinians to pray in the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day tomorrow, we would like to remember the strong women of Kashmir who have faced the brunt of Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. They have endured widespread devastation and confronted obstacles that impede their access to essential needs and their capacity to lead a dignified life.
The Kashmiri women widowed and orphaned because of fake encounters by Indian forces do not even get time to mourn for their dead husbands and fathers and are forced to become the sole breadwinners for their families. Women heading households face additional difficulties in the society and face hurdles in finding respectable jobs.
Women activists including Hurriyat leaders including Aasiya Andrabi, Naheeda Nasreen and Fehmeeda Sofi remain incarcerated in different jails of IIOJK and India.
The Kashmiri women deserve to live their lives as they choose and enjoy their rights and freedom including the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
Pakistan and Tanzania will hold the inaugural session of Pakistan-Tanzania Bilateral Political Consultations in Dares Salam on 12 March 2024. Additional Foreign Secretary (Africa), Ambassador Shehryar Akbar will lead the Pakistan delegation while the Tanzanian delegation will be led by Director Asia and Australasia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & East African Cooperation, Ambassador Salvatore Mbilinyi.
Pakistan and Tanzania enjoy close and cordial relations underpinned by mutual respect and confidence. Tanzania is a key trading partner of Pakistan in the African continent. Initiation of the Bilateral Political Consultations is in keeping with our mutual desire to upgrade the bilateral relationship.
The BPC will serve as an important institutional framework for engagement and dialogue between Pakistan and Tanzania. The two sides will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, explore new avenues of cooperation and discuss regional and global developments.