ISLAMABAD: The Israeli Prime Minister’s unilateral announcement of his intention to annex territories in the occupied West Bank as a re-election promise, “is a dangerous trend and threatens world peace and security,” said Pakistan’s Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Shafqat Mehmood, who led the country’s delegation during Sunday’s extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was not present at the meeting.
The 16th extraordinary meeting of its kind was called by the OIC Secretariat at the request of Saudi Arabia as Chair of the 14th Islamic Summit, following Netanyahu’s annexation pledge days ahead of a hotly contested election to be held on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by the Saudi Foreign Minister, Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf, a press release stated.
Mehmood “appealed to OIC members, United Nations and the international community to revive their obligation toward the people of Palestine,” and added that “the UN and the OIC members should condemn such irresponsible announcements, being used as party slogans in the election campaign, which can jeopardize peace in the region.”
Furthermore, Mehmood drew strong comparisons between the “unspeakable suffering” of the Kashmiri and Palestinian people who shared a history of “over seven decades of occupation” and drew attention to the communications blackout and arrests taking place in Indian-administered Kashmir since August 5th, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi moved to abrogate the region’s special legal status.
Mehmood reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance that the establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian state on the basis of internationally agreed parameters and with Jerusalem as its capital, was the “only way to bring peace and stability in Middle East.”
Netanyahu’s pledge “dangerous trend,” Pakistan warns at OIC meeting
Netanyahu’s pledge “dangerous trend,” Pakistan warns at OIC meeting
- Federal Minister Shafqat Mehmood drew strong parallels between situations in Kashmir and Palestine
- Said contiguous Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital only hope for peace
Pakistan concludes 60-hour joint military exercise featuring 19 states, including Saudi Arabia, US
- Exercise also featured participation from Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar, says military’s media wing
- Says exercise is designed to enhance professional military skills through exchange of innovative ideas, tactical experiences
ISLAMABAD: A 60-hour-long joint military exercise organized by Pakistan’s army concluded this week at the eastern city of Kharian, featuring participation from 19 countries including Saudi Arabia and the US, the military’s media wing said.
The 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition is a 60-hour-long patrolling exercise, which the Pakistani military says is designed to enhance professional military skills through the exchange of innovative ideas, tactical experiences and best practices among participating teams.
The exercise was held from Feb. 5-9 in the semi-mountainous terrains of Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, providing participants a “realistic and challenging operational environment.” Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the closing ceremony of the exercise on Monday and presented awards to participants.
“Over the years, PATS has evolved into a prestigious and highly competitive military exercise, recognized for promoting professional excellence and mutual learning among participating nations,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement.
“The forum continues to strengthen military-to-military cooperation and understanding, while fostering camaraderie and team spirit in a demanding operational setting.”
This year’s exercise featured participants from 19 countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, USA and Uzbekistan, the ISPR said.
Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand attended the exercise as observers while 16 domestic teams from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy, along with observers from the Pakistan Air Force also participated in the event.
Munir appreciated participating teams for their “exceptional professionalism, physical and mental endurance, operational competence and high morale” displayed during the exercise, the military’s media wing said.
“He emphasized the importance of such multinational engagements in enhancing collective preparedness and adapting to the evolving character of modern warfare,” the ISPR added.
Pakistan routinely holds joint air, ground and sea exercises with regional countries and traditional allies to foster interoperability to counter threats to global peace.
