ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been “deeply concerned” by the continuation of hostilities in Ukraine, a Pakistani state minister has said, as Russian forces continued their push in the east of the country.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said this while participating virtually in a high-level international donor’s conference for Ukraine held in Warsaw, Poland on May 5.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in late February. On Saturday, Russia’s defense ministry said it had destroyed an ammunition depot in Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region and shot down two Ukrainian warplanes.
Ukrainian forces made some advances near Kharkiv and Kherson, inflicting heavy losses, while also suffering losses of their own, a Ukrainian presidential adviser said. The fighting is now threatening to cause a global food crisis.
“Pakistan is deeply concerned by the initiation and continuation of war in Ukraine,” the Pakistani foreign ministry quoted Khar as saying at the donors’ conference on Thursday.
“We are grieved by reports of large civilian casualties, massive outflow of refugees and internal displacement of people in Ukraine and reports of violations of international humanitarian law.”
The international community must respond to this humanitarian crisis with empathy and generosity, the Pakistani state minister urged.
“The Ukraine conflict has far-reaching implications for international security and world economy, with the developing countries hardest hit by the disruption in supply chains and the food and energy crisis,” she said.
Khar said Pakistan continued to call for diplomacy and dialogue for an early, negotiated end to the Ukraine conflict. “Immediate cessation of hostilities is a must to prevent further loss of life and to ease the humanitarian situation,” she added.
The donors conference in Warsaw raised around $6.5 billion for Ukraine, while Khar said Islamabad was in the process of dispatching a second consignment of humanitarian supplies to the Ukrainian people. Pakistan delivered over 15 tons of humanitarian assistance, including food and medicines, to Ukraine in March.
Pakistan ‘deeply concerned’ by continuation of hostilities in Ukraine
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Pakistan ‘deeply concerned’ by continuation of hostilities in Ukraine
- Hina Rabbani Khar says world must respond to this humanitarian crisis with empathy, generosity
- Islamabad also in process of dispatching another consignment of humanitarian supplies to Ukraine
Pakistani, Libyan commanders discuss regional security, military cooperation
- The meeting follows reports that Pakistan struck a $4 billion defense deal to sell military equipment to Libyan National Army
- Both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on security dynamics in respective regions
ISLAMABAD: Libyan National Army Commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar met with Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in Rawalpindi and discussed with him military cooperation and regional security, the Pakistani military said on Monday.
The meeting takes place after Munir’s visit to Libya in December that was followed by reports suggesting Pakistan had struck a $4 billion defense deal to sell military equipment, including JF-17 fighter jets and Super Mushak trainer aircraft, to the Libyan National Army that controls eastern Libya. There has been no official confirmation of the deal so far.
Haftar and Prime Minister Dr. Osama Saad Hammad, who governs eastern Libya, called on Field Marshal Munir at Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on security dynamics in respective regions and professional cooperation,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“The discussion underscored the importance of continued engagement and collaboration between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Libya.”
Libya has been subject to a UN arms embargo since 2011, requiring approval from the UN for transfers of weapons and related material. It was not clear whether Pakistan or Libya had applied for any exemptions to the UN embargo.
During Monday’s meeting, Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Libya, reiterating his country’s support for peace, stability and institutional development in Libya, according to the ISPR.
“The meeting was held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Libya,” the Pakistani military said.
