NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has called for collective efforts to end human tragedy in Palestine and avert threats to regional peace.
The foreign minister was speaking at dinner hosted by him at Pakistan Consulate in New York in honour of the foreign Ministers who have arrived there to participate in the United Nations General Assembly’s emergency session on the situation in Palestine.
In his address, Qureshi highlighted atrocities being committed by Israeli forces, the miseries of Palestinian people and threats to regional peace, and diplomatic efforts made by Pakistan in this regard.
He briefed the envoys about Pakistan’s efforts, urging them to adopt a unanimous stance at the UNGA. He shared his views on the volatile situation and stressed on the need to internationalise the crisis.
He also held detailed consultation with the participating foreign minister on adopting joint strategy to draw the world’s attention towards the grave human rights violations.
The foreign ministers of Turkey, Tunis, Palestine, President UNGA Volkan Bozkir, and Permanent Representatives of OIC member countries attended the reception.
Foreign Minister Qureshi has departed for New York from Ankara as he continued his diplomatic peace mission against the ongoing Israeli atrocities targeting the people of Gaza. The minister was accompanied by his counterparts from Palestine, Sudan and Turkey during the visit.
Qureshi will attend an emergency meeting of the United Nations General Assembly and will draw the attention of the international community towards the ongoing Israeli agression against the Palestinians. He will urge the world body to play its due role in bringing an end to the atrocities.
The minister will also hold important meetings with the UNGA president and other diplomats to highlight Pakistan’s stance on regional and international issues, with a focus on the situation in Palestine.
Prior to departure, Qureshi held a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki wherein he exchanged views over the evolving situation in the besieged Gaza.
During the meeting, he conveyed the resolve of the Pakistani leadership, especially Prime Minister Imran Khan, to continue supporting the Palestinian struggle for their right to self-determination. The minister strongly denounced Israeli aggression against the people of the occupied territory.
Earlier during an interview with a Turkish news agency, Qureshi said Pakistan is banking on the UNGA to play its role to evolve a consensus that leads to a cease-fire, de-escalation and an end to atrocities in Palestine.
Regarding the US’ veto power on the Security Council, he said that public opinion should veto the veto power and if public opinion changes, governments that exercise veto power, are compelled to revisit policies and are compelled to rethink.
