ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday hailed as “important diplomatic success” an agreement among leading Palestinian groups to form an interim unity government during talks in China.
Various Palestinian factions agreed to end their divisions and strengthen Palestinian unity by signing the Beijing Declaration on Tuesday morning in China, according to Chinese state media. The declaration was signed at the closing ceremony of a reconciliation dialogue among the factions held in Beijing on July 21-23.
A total of 14 Palestinian factions including the leaders of rival groups Fatah and Hamas also met with the media, with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi present, CGTN said in a social media post. As the meeting wrapped up, China’s top diplomat said the groups had committed to set up an “interim national reconciliation government” to govern Gaza.
Welcoming the Beijing Declaration, the Pakistan prime minister praised China for the efforts to unite the Palestinian factions, urging the world to press Israel for an end to its “brazen violence” that has destroyed Gaza and killed thousands of Palestinians since Oct 7 attacks by Hamas.
“For long the people of Palestine have seen nothing but pain and suffering,” Sharif said on X. “Today’s agreement ignites hope that lasting peace can be achieved.”
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza in October last year, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations and demanded international powers and multilateral bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.
“Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause,” Sharif said. “Unity among Palestinian factions is essential for a strong & effective voice for peace, justice & statehood. We stand with the Palestinian people in their quest for self-determination.”
Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas after militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in a cross-border assault on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Israeli tallies.
The death toll among Palestinians in Israel’s retaliatory offensive since then has surpassed 39,000, Gaza health authorities say.
Pakistan hails reconciliation among Palestinian groups at China talks as ‘important diplomatic success’
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Pakistan hails reconciliation among Palestinian groups at China talks as ‘important diplomatic success’
- Various Palestinian factions agreed to end their divisions and strengthen Palestinian unity by signing the Beijing Declaration on Tuesday morning
- PM Shehbaz Sharif says the ‘agreement ignites hope that lasting peace can be achieved,’ urges world to press Israel to end ‘brazen violence’ in Gaza
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia resolve to strengthen economic cooperation during Davos summit
- Pakistan finmin Muhammad Aurangzeb meets Saudi Arabia's Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih
- Al-Falih appreciated Pakistan's potential, particularly its natural resources, strategic location, says Pakistan Finance Division
KARACHI: Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih met in Davos this week, resolving to strengthen ongoing bilateral cooperation by working closely together and maintaining high-level contact, Pakistan's Finance Division said.
Islamabad and Riyadh have moved closer to broaden their cooperation in recent months, signing a landmark defense pact in September 2025 and agreeing to launch an economic cooperation framework a month later to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations.
Aurangzeb met Al-Falih during the sidelines of the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos on Thursday, Pakistan's Finance Division said in a statement. The two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and reviewed progress on existing and planned projects across various sectors, the statement added.
"Both sides reiterated their strong resolve to expand bilateral collaboration by working closely together, strengthening institutional linkages and maintaining regular high-level contacts," Pakistan's Finance Division said on Thursday.
"They agreed that sustained engagement and mutual understanding would help translate shared objectives into concrete and mutually beneficial initiatives."
The Finance Division said Al-Falih appreciated Pakistan's importance and potential, particularly its natural resources, strategic location and emerging opportunities for investment.
"The meeting concluded in a positive and forward-looking spirit, with both ministers expressing confidence that closer partnership and continued dialogue would further strengthen economic and investment ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the statement said.
The two countries enjoy cordial relations dating back decades and firmly grounded in shared values, culture, faith and economic ties. The Kingdom is home to over two million Pakistani expats, making it the largest source of foreign remittances for cash-strapped Pakistan.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed 34 business agreements worth $2.8 billion across multiple sectors in 2024, further strengthening their economic cooperation.
Riyadh has also bailed Pakistan frequently out of economic crises over the years, providing it crucial loans and oil on deferred payment basis.
