ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Palestine on Tuesday and demanded an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, as the world marks the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People today.
The International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People is marked every year on Nov. 29 to express support for the people of Palestine facing occupation at the hands of Israel. This year, the day is being observed on Nov. 26.
Pakistan’s message of support for Palestine comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Israel has killed over 44,000 people since Oct. 7, 2023 after Hamas launched a surprise attack on the Jewish state the same day. Israel has also launched military operations against Lebanon and exchanged missile attacks with Iran over the past few months.
“International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is being observed on Tuesday to express solidarity and support with the oppressed people of Palestine,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
“In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the unwavering support of the people and Government of Pakistan for the just cause of Palestine and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.”
Sharif said Pakistan calls on the international community to “act swiftly and decisively, to impose an immediate halt to Israel’s atrocities.”
He condemned Israel’s attacks on Palestinian civilians, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure in Gaza.
“He said Pakistan further calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and stresses the urgency of ensuring unhindered humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people,” the state broadcaster said.
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 the war in October last year, Pakistan has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other international forums, urging an end to Israeli military actions.
Pakistan reaffirms unwavering support for Palestine, demands unconditional ceasefire in Gaza
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Pakistan reaffirms unwavering support for Palestine, demands unconditional ceasefire in Gaza
- Shehbaz Sharif’s message comes as world marks International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People
- Calls on international community to act “swiftly and decisively” to put a halt to Israel’s “atrocities” in Gaza
Five cops killed as gunmen ambush police van in northwestern Pakistan
- Over a dozen “well-armed terrorists” ambushed police van in northwestern Karak district, say police
- Pakistan’s northwestern KP province has witnessed a surge in militant attacks in recent months
PESHAWAR: Five cops were killed when a group of “terrorists” ambushed a police van in Pakistan’s northwestern Karak district on Tuesday, a police official confirmed.
Karak police spokesperson Shaukat Khan said a heavy police reinforcement has been dispatched to the site of the attack in the district’s Gurguri area to collect evidence.
“Over a dozen well-armed terrorists ambushed a police mobile van in the jurisdiction of Gurguri police station, an inaccessible area of the district, leaving five policemen martyred,” Khan told Arab News.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, similar attacks on police and security forces have been claimed in the past by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Pakistani Taliban.
Khan identified the slain police officers as Shahid Iqbal, Arif, Sami Ullah, Safdar and the driver named Muhammad Ibrar.
“Evidence has been collected from the crime scene and a comprehensive search operation is now underway to apprehend the perpetrators,” Khan said.
The Gurguri region is home to a large gas field, where exploration activities take place regularly. This often necessitates heightened security measures by law enforcement personnel.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant activities, particularly in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan, in recent months.
Earlier this month, one police constable was killed while five others were injured in a suicide blast that targeted a police vehicle in the Lakki Marwat district.
Similarly, three police personnel were killed in November when militants attacked a checkpost in Hangu city.
Pakistan has blamed Afghanistan for facilitating cross-border attacks against its security forces and turning a blind eye to the TTP’s activities on its soil.
Afghanistan rejects the allegations and says it cannot be held responsible for Islamabad’s security lapses.
