Islam Times - Pakistan PM: 2024 Darkest Year in Palestinian History

Islam Times - In his statement on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the unwavering support of both the Pakistani government and its citizens for a fair resolution to the Palestinian issue, emphasizing their commitment to the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.

In his statment released by PM Office on Friday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, "This year has been the darkest in the history of Palestine in terms of the Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank since October 7, 2023. In committing the most heinous atrocities in history, Israel has so far massacred 43,000 innocent Palestinian men, women and children".

"The Palestinian people are bravely enduring Israel’s campaign of attacks, systematic genocide and violence. The Israeli aggression in Palestine is a blatant violation of human rights and international law. Israel’s violations of international human rights law have also severely hampered the international community’s humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza, further exacerbating the suffering of the besieged population", he said.

Pakistani PM Demands Ceasefire, Condemns Israel

The Prime Minister noted that Pakistan emphatically urges the international community to take decisive action to halt Israel's atrocities in Palestine immediately. He condemned the attacks on civilians, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure, calling the assaults on aid convoys intolerable. He further asserted that Israel has exploited the immunity it has been granted, committing grave war crimes and flagrant human rights violations, leading to further devastation in Gaza and Lebanon.

"Pakistan calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and stresses the urgent need to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to the Palestinian people. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) must be provided with funding and protection facilities by the international community to meet the growing needs of Palestine refugees. We strongly condemn Israel’s attempts to undermine UNRWA’s vital work," he said.

Pakistani PM Backs Palestinian Self-Determination

The PM added, "We will continue to resolutely support the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people for freedom and the right to self-determination, as also expressed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in its recent advisory opinion.

"Pakistan seeks a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly, which call for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, based on the pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital," he said.

Shehbaz Sharif reiterated, "On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I reaffirm our full solidarity with the Palestinian people. We will stand with you in your struggle for peace, dignity, and the right to self-determination."