ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached out to the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Iran to extend Eid Al-Fitr greetings on Monday, highlighting Pakistan’s close ties with the two countries and calling for continued collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
Sharif has contacted the top leadership of several Muslim-majority nations since the end of Ramadan, including Gulf states, Malaysia and Bangladesh, in a diplomatic outreach that coincides with Pakistan’s efforts to attract foreign investment to bolster its struggling economy.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif held “a warm and cordial telephone conversation” with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“The Prime Minister fondly recalled his recent meeting with the UAE President in Abu Dhabi last month and reaffirmed his strong resolve to transform the existing Pakistan-U.A.E. ties into a mutually beneficial economic partnership,” his office said in a statement. “He also expressed Pakistan’s deep appreciation for U.A.E.’s longstanding and steadfast support to Pakistan.”
The UAE president reciprocated the Eid greetings and reiterated his country’s “unwavering support for Pakistan’s economic and development initiatives,” while stressing the importance of continued collaboration across various fields.
Sharif also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and extended Eid greetings to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and its people.
“The Prime Minister said that Pakistan and Iran enjoyed deep fraternal relations and, as neighboring countries, they could benefit from enhanced trade,” a separate statement said. “At the same time, they also needed to cooperate more closely to deal with challenges such as border security.”
The Pakistan-Iran border has long been a source of concern, with both sides grappling with smuggling networks, cross-border militant activity and recent flare-ups in tensions involving missile and drone attacks last year.
Pakistan PM extends greetings to UAE and Iranian leaders on Eid Al-Fitr
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Pakistan PM extends greetings to UAE and Iranian leaders on Eid Al-Fitr
- Shehbaz Sharif acknowledges UAE’s longstanding support to Pakistan, seek stronger economic ties
- The prime minister also calls for closer cooperation with Iran to deal with border security challenges
Pakistan rejects Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, alleged plans to displace Palestinians
- Israel last week became the world’s first country to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region from the African nation
- As per media reports, Israel has contacted Somaliland over potential relocation of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Acting UN Ambassador Usman Jadoon this week rejected Israel’s recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region by describing it as a unilateral and unlawful move, saying Islamabad stands opposed to any plans aimed at forcefully displacing Palestinians from Gaza.
Last week, Israel announced it had recognized Somaliland, a breakaway African region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The move sparked anger among Muslim states, with 21 Islamic nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) rejecting Israel’s move collectively in a joint statement last week.
Several international news outlets months earlier reported that Israel had contacted Somaliland over the potential resettlement of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza. Muslim countries fear Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region could be part of its plan to relocate Palestinians forcibly from Gaza to the region.
“We strongly condemn the unilateral and unlawful recognition by Israel of the ‘Somaliland’ region of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” Jadoon, Pakistan’s acting permanent representative to the UN, said at a meeting of the Security Council on Monday.
“It is a direct assault on Somalia’s internationally recognized borders and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.”
Jadoon said Israel’s move is alarming, especially when Somalia seems to be showing encouraging progress on its political and institutional trajectory.
“This positive momentum must be protected and reinforced, not undermined by actions that risk fragmenting the country and reversing hard-won progress,” he said.
Jadoon pointed to Israel’s previous references to Somaliland as a destination for deported Palestinians, especially from Gaza, saying Tel Aviv’s recognition of the region in this context is “deeply troubling.”
It said Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land has been a source of conflict in the Middle East, noting that it was now exporting this “destabilizing conduct” to the Horn of Africa.
“Pakistan unequivocally rejects any proposals or plans aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians,” Jadoon said. “Any actions that advocate or imply displacement or resettlement not only violate international law but also undermine the prospect of a just and lasting peace.”
He said Islamabad stands firmly with the government of Somalia as it attempts to uphold peace and ensure progress in the country.
“In conclusion, Pakistan calls upon the Security Council and the broader international community to speak with one voice and reject all actions that undermine Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity,” Jadoon added.
