Daily Times

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday had a telephone conversation with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and shared Pakistan’s profound concern over deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

During the conversation, both the foreign ministers discussed the Palestinian issue, peace process in Afghanistan, and Pakistan-China relations, a Foreign Office statement said. Foreign Minister Qureshi said the humanitarian situation in Palestine was becoming a major threat to peace and security of Middle East. He added that the violent attacks perpetrated by Israeli forces against the innocent worshipers in Al-Aqsa Mosque and unarmed civilians and the children in the occupied territories, were against humanitarian norms as well as the international law.

Qureshi underlined the importance of urgent steps by the international community to stop the Israeli attacks, protect the civilian population, facilitate engagement of the parties, and ensure just and lasting solution based on relevant UNSC resolutions and the two-state vision. He also briefed Wang Yi about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s outreach to world leaders in addressing the current serious situation.

Qureshi congratulated Chinese leadership and its people for successful landing of Chinese spacecraft at Mars and underlined that it was a historic milestone for China in the technological realm. He underscored that the year 2021 had a special significance as it marked 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. “Over the years, our bilateral relationship has turned into an all-weather strategic cooperative partnership,” he added.

Foreign Minister Qureshi stressed that Pakistan supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. He highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to the Afghan peace process and its support for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. Underscoring the importance of a responsible withdrawal, reduction in violence, and earliest possible ceasefire, the foreign minister stressed the need for the Afghan parties to seize the opportunity to work together and secure a negotiated inclusive political solution.