ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Thursday paid tribute to the “resilient” people of Palestine on the ‘International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism,’ criticizing Israeli forces for committing “genocide” in the Middle East and violating international law.

The United Nations General Assembly marks the day every year on Aug. 21 to honor and support the victims and survivors of “terrorism.” The day is also held to promote and protect the full enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of victims of “terrorism.”

Pakistan has consistently criticized Israel since it began its military operations in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023 for targeting civilians, schools, hospitals and blocking humanitarian supplies for the Palestinian population. So far, Israeli forces have killed at least 62,122 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.

“We extend our deepest tribute to the resilient people of Palestine, who continue to suffer relentless aggression, systemic human rights violations, and state terrorism at the hands of Israeli occupation forces,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.

“Their actions constitute not only grave violations of international law but also amount to genocide.”

The Pakistani foreign office highlighted that prolonged unresolved conflicts, foreign occupation, and the denial of the right to self-determination create “conditions for extremism and terrorism” which should be addressed comprehensively.

“As we remember the victims of terrorism today, we call upon the international community to join us in making collaborative efforts to strengthen international partnership, dialogue, and cooperation to eliminate the menace of terrorism without discrimination,” the statement said.

“And support the victims and their families, and to contribute to a peaceful and secure world.”

The foreign office’s statement said Pakistan has lost over 90,000 Pakistanis in its war against militancy since the early 2000s, adding that it has also endured “staggering economic losses” exceeding $150 billion.

“We honor the valor of our martyrs and heroes whose sacrifices remain a beacon of strength and unity for the nation,” the statement said.

Pakistan has been battling twin insurgencies in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and its southwestern Balochistan provinces. In KP, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP have carried out deadly attacks against law enforcers in recent months in their bid to impose their strict brand of Islamic law in the country.

In Balochistan, separatist Baloch ethnic groups target civilians and military personnel frequently. These separatist groups seek independence from Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of denying locals a share in the province’s natural resources.

Pakistan’s government and military deny the allegations and say that several health, education and social initiatives in the province have been launched to uplift the province, which is considered one of the poorest in the country by almost all social and economic indicators.