ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has denounced the use of brutal force against innocent Palestinians, and called for the lifting of the siege and opening of a humanitarian corridor for Palestinians.
He said Pakistan was seriously concerned at the incessant Israeli aggression against civilians, which had killed thousands of people including women, children, and the elderly. He stressed that the international community should condemn the continued Israeli aggression in Gaza.
He stated that Pakistan stood for a total withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem, as well as the establishment of an independent homeland for Palestinians with Al-Quds Sharif as its capital.
The president gave these remarks during a presentation of diplomatic credentials ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Wednesday. The Ambassador-designate of Jordan, Dr Maen AM Khreasat, Ambassador-designate of Holy See, Archbishop Germano Penemote Apostolic Nuncio, Ambassador-designate of Czech Republic, Ladislav Steinhubel, the High Commissioner-designate of Brunei Darussalam, Colonel Pengiran Haji Kamal Bashah bin Pengiran Haji Ahmad (retired), and the Ambassador-designate of Qatar to Pakistan, Ali Mubarak AE Al-Khater, presented their diplomatic credentials to President Dr Alvi and later, separately called on him.
Talking to the envoys, the president said Pakistan was closely monitoring the situation in Palestine and wanted the restoration of the inalienable rights of the people of Palestine. He highlighted that Pakistan had consistently supported the Palestine cause, and wanted a comprehensive resolution of all outstanding Arab-Israeli disputes to ensure lasting peace in the region.
Speaking to the envoys, the president said Pakistan wanted to further intensify political, economic, and cultural links with all friendly countries, besides increasing bilateral trade and investment relations.
He highlighted that Pakistan had established a Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which provided a one-window facility for investment in IT, corporate farming, minerals and energy sectors of Pakistan. He said foreign investors should benefit from the investment-friendly policies of Pakistan and invest in these sectors.
The president also highlighted the gross human rights violations being committed by India in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The president congratulated the envoys on their new assignments and expressed confidence that they would further strengthen bilateral relations of their respective countries with Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2023