ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Pakistan welcomed ‘Declaration of Unity’ signed by Palestinian political factions in Beijing while recognising and commending China’s role in bringing factions together for meaningful negotiations.

“Unity amongst Palestinian people is of paramount significance in view of ongoing war crimes against Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza and blatant disregard for international law by Israeli occupation forces,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at her weekly press briefing here. Calling upon international community to intervene immediately to bring an end to ongoing illegal and incessant aggression in Gaza, she reiterated Pakistan’s support for realisation of inalienable right to self-determination of Palestinian people, their right of return to Palestine and establishment of an independent state of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Regarding periodic report of Human Rights Committee in Geneva on India, she said during proceedings, questions were raised about arrests under draconian laws like Public Safety Act and Public Security Act, and frequent suspension of mobile internet service in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “This demonstrates continuing concerns of international human rights machinery about dismal human rights situation in IIOJK.” Spokesperson announced that at invitation of Speaker of Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Tehran on July 30 to attend inauguration ceremony of President-elect of Iran Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian. Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi will lead Pakistan delegation at the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting, being held on July 27 in Lao People’s Democratic Republic where he will take part in discussions on political and security issues, share Pakistan’s perspective and also hold bilateral meetings with participating dignitaries. To question, she said Pakistan had taken up matter of an attack on its Consulate in Frankfurt with German government and continued to take measures and work with host government to ensure safety of its diplomatic missions. Asked about reports of US Administration seeking budget of $ 101 million for Pakistan, she called it an internal debate of US Congress and US Administration.  To question, she said Pakistan had taken note of discussion at “Private event” held at side room of Houses of Lords, held by political party in London that also invited some parliamentarians.

However, she said that parliamentarians and legislative bodies should contribute to promoting positive dynamics in bilateral relations and developing mutual understanding and respect.