ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday slammed Israel for blocking the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying there could be “no greater oppression” than this.
Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday as a standoff over the truce that has halted fighting for the past six weeks escalated. The blockade is likely to add significant pressure on the two million Palestinians who are still suffering from shortages of essential goods following 16 months of war.
Speaking at a special meeting of the federal cabinet, Sharif said the month of Ramadan teaches Muslims to serve humanity and be kind to people who are less privileged, and requires them to express solidarity with Palestine, where Israel’s war had killed more than 50,000 people.
“I believe there can be no greater oppression than blocking food and aid supplies to Gaza in Ramadan despite a ceasefire,” he said. “We are to raise our voice on this.”
Sharif’s statement came hours after Pakistan’s foreign office criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling it a blatant violation of law and urging the international community to hold the Jewish state accountable for collectively punishing millions of civilians.
“This latest action is part of Israel’s systematic campaign to deny much needed humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians in dire need. This constitutes yet another blatant violation of international law by the occupying power and could imperil the ceasefire agreement,” it said.
Israel, while announcing the halt to aid entry, said it will not allow a ceasefire without the release of all remaining hostages. Hamas has denounced Israel’s move as “blackmail” and a “blatant coup against the agreement.”
Israel’s war on Gaza began after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on Oct.7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and over 200 others were taken into Gaza as hostages. The subsequent Israeli campaign killed around 50,000 Palestinians and displaced almost all of Gaza’s 2 million population, leaving the territory a wasteland.
Both sides agreed to an uneasy, six-week truce on Jan. 19 which paved the way for the release of hostages from both sides. Israel’s move to block humanitarian aid to Gaza has renewed fears among the international community that the fighting could reignite.
“We also reiterate our call for the full implementation of the agreement to secure a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza as well as the revival of a political process to achieve the two-state solution,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
‘No greater oppression’: Pakistan PM slams Israel’s blockade of Gaza aid
https://arab.news/yq56s
‘No greater oppression’: Pakistan PM slams Israel’s blockade of Gaza aid
- Israel blocked entry of aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday as standoff over uneasy truce with Hamas escalated
- Islamabad calls aid blockade a ‘blatant violation of law,’ urges the world to hold the Jewish state accountable
Pakistan, Cambodia agree to promote bilateral trade, enhance business networking
- Cambodia, Pakistan hold second session of Joint Trade Committee in Islamabad to promote trade, investment
- Pakistan commerce minister reaffirms commitment to advance discussions for preferential trade agreement
KARACHI: The Trade Promotion Organizations of Pakistan and Cambodia on Wednesday signed an agreement to promote bilateral trade, enhance business networking and exchange information between the two countries, Pakistan’s commerce ministry said.
The agreement was signed between both sides as Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan co-chaired the second Pakistan-Cambodia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in Islamabad with his counterpart in Cambodia, Cham Nimul.
The meeting took place as Islamabad intensifies efforts to diversify export markets beyond traditional Middle Eastern and Western destinations, while strengthening engagement within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“The meeting concluded with the signing of the Joint Statement by the Co-Chairs, followed by the witnessing of the signing of the agreement between the Trade Promotion Organizations of Pakistan and Cambodia — a step aimed at enhancing information exchange, business networking, and trade promotion initiatives,” the Pakistani commerce ministry said in a statement.
Khan stressed that the JTC serves as an effective platform to review progress, address challenges and identify new avenues for cooperation between both sides.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing discussions toward a Preferential Trade Agreement to enhance market access and diversify trade baskets.
The Pakistani side highlighted export potential in rice, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agricultural products, while Cambodia identified opportunities in cassava, cashew nuts, footwear, and rubber products, the commerce ministry said.
“Both sides agreed to facilitate direct engagement between their business communities to translate these complementarities into concrete trade flows,” the statement added.
Pakistan’s Board of Investment presented opportunities in energy, IT, tourism and infrastructure, positioning the country as “a gateway to Central Asia,” the ministry said.
Cambodia outlined the advantages under its new investment law and special economic zones, proposing that their country could serve as a strategic production base for Pakistani enterprises seeking access to ASEAN and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership countries.
The two sides also agreed to advance cooperation in agriculture, aviation, IT, AI, cybersecurity, labor and vocational training.
“The Second Pakistan–Cambodia Joint Trade Committee marked a significant milestone in deepening bilateral economic engagement, laying a clear roadmap for enhanced trade, investment, and institutional collaboration between the two friendly nations,” the commerce ministry said.
