Islamabad. Nov 09: Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar reiteriated on Thursday the need to hold Israel accountable for its atrocities in the besieged Gaza enclave.
The “incessant and lethal” bombing by Israel is “deplorable”, he said, speaking at the 16th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Israel has carried out relentless airstrikes and bombardment on the Gaza Strip since October 7 along with an onground incursion in retaliation to a single suprise raid by Hamas that claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis and took over 200 hostage.
Israel has since killed at least 10,569 Palestinians, mostly children, women and the elderly, in the narrow Gaza enclave launching a brutal assault entailing continuous bombing, on-ground fighting and a complete blockade of the strip. It insists on Gazans evacuating to the north of the coastal strip, a move that the United Nations has termed as “reminiscent of Nakba”.
Israel has dismissed all calls for a ceasefire as it pursues complete “annhilation” of Hamas despite the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Besides, it has increased hostilities against Palestinians and pro-ceasefire groups within the West Bank.
Addressing the ECO summit, Kakar emphasized that Israel’s actions in Gaza call for international condemnation. “This issue needs to be addressed in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolutions,” he said.
“I urge all ECO member states to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, support the call for the provision of humanitarian assistance and rally efforts to hold Israel to account,” asserted the PM.
Kakar decried the bombing of hospitals and killing of innocent civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip. “Pharaoh on the advent of Moses’ birth killed children and now, unfortunately, the people who claim to be the followers of Moses are following the footpath of pharaoh,” he said.
Pakistan strongly condemns these actions and stresses on the need for a humanitarian corridor to help the defenceless people of Palestine, said Kakar.
Growing intolerance, violence and xenophobia are threatening the region and need to addressed, he added, as he highlighted Indian atrocities against the people of occupied Kashmir.
“I urge the ECO member states and international community to work together to build political and legal deterrence against the rise of Islamophobia while fostering mutual respect, interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistance,” said Kakar.
With regards to the ECO summit, Kakar was of the view that it was important to realize the goals and objectives of the organization. The region if well-connected, he said, could bring colossal economic and peace dividends.
Countering Islamophobia
Earlier, Pakistan and Azerbaijan reaffirmed commitment to jointly work towards addressing Islamophobia and climate change.
Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar met with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the ECO summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and regional issues including the esclating atrocities against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the people of Kashmir in Indian llegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Besides, they reviewed progress in bilateral relations especially in trade, defence and energy.
Kakar welcomed the commencement of direct flight operations of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) to Pakistan last week, terming it a positive development towards people-to-people exchanges, business opportunities and tourism.
Moreover, they discussed Islamophobia, climate change and the critical role of the ECO in promoting regional cooperation.
Kakar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, especially with respect to Karabagh.
Later, taking to X, formerly Twitter, Kakar wrote that their meeting was “constructive” and indicative of growing “trade, defence and energy ties” between the two countries.
ECO Summit
Prior to that, the interim premier was welcomed by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Tashkent Convetion Centre, where the international moot is being held.
Kakar is in Tashkent for two days along with Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Interim Commerce Minister Gohar Ejaz.
During the summit, Kakar is expected to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to the ECO’s Vision 2024 and promote regional cooperation in the areas of trade, transport, connectivity, energy, tourism, economic growth and productivity, according to statements earlier made by the Foreign Office.
While stressing on regional cooperation, prior to his departure for Tashkent, the caretaker premier had made apparent that Pakistan’s policy on neighbouring Afghanistan – an ECO member state – has categorically shifted. Islamabad has decided not to advocate the Afghan Taliban’s case at the international level or extend any other assistance following failure of the Kabul authorities to neutralise the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The immediate implication of Pakistan’s apparent shift in its policy is that the chances of the Afghan Taliban government getting international recognition have become far slimmer than ever.
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