RIYADH: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar met with the President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), convened to address the urgent situation in occupied Palestine resulting from Israeli aggression in both Gaza and the West Bank.

The extraordinary summit, scheduled for Sunday, will see leaders of Islamic countries deliberating on the escalating military situation in Gaza, where more than 10,000 people have lost their lives due to the actions of the Israeli occupational forces. During yesterday’s meeting, PM Kakar and President Abbas expressed their concerns over the dire situation in Gaza, emphasising the need for Israel to agree to a ceasefire and cease bombardments that have led innocent Palestinians to flee their homes. Many have described the Israeli actions as war crimes against civilians.

Prime Minister Kakar conveyed Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, strongly denouncing the indiscriminate use of force by Israeli occupation forces. He condemned the bombing of hospitals, refugee camps, schools, and residential buildings, which has resulted in the loss of over ten thousand lives and forced the displacement of Palestinian families. President Abbas appreciated Pakistan's expression of solidarity and its principled stance on the right of self-determination for the Palestinian people. The leaders underscored the urgency of an unconditional ceasefire, an end to the siege of Gaza, and the smooth delivery of vital humanitarian aid and medical assistance to the affected population. They emphasised the need for international collaboration to prevent further bloodshed by Israel.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 11 2023

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