23 January 2025, Islamabad (Ghufran) :
I welcome you all at the weekly press briefing.
Last week witnessed a tragic incident of boat capsizing off the coast of Morocco involving Pakistani nationals. So far, 22 survivors have been confirmed as Pakistani nationals on the basis of verified information. Our Embassy in Morocco remains in contact with the Pakistani survivors for any sort of assistance and with the Moroccan authorities to ascertain the identity of any Pakistani nationals involved in the tragedy. I would also mention our gratitude for the excellent cooperation and assistance provided by the friendly country of Morocco. We remain grateful to them.
The Netherlands and Pakistan held the 11th round of the Bilateral Political Consultations in Islamabad on January 20th. The Netherlands side was led by the Secretary General of the Dutch Foreign Ministry, Mr. Christiaan Rebergen, and Foreign Secretary Ms. Amna Baloch led the Pakistan side. Both sides held discussions on a wide range of areas including economic, political, trade and investment, climate change, agriculture, water management, dairy and livestock, education and culture.
This week marked several significant milestones achieved in under our Look Africa Policy. Additional Secretary Africa, Hamid Asghar Khan is currently visiting Africa where he has conducted Bilateral Political Consultations with Djibouti, Rwanda and Uganda. Before these bilateral consultations as is customary, he signed Memorandum of Understanding for regular convening of these consultations on annual basis, with all the three countries.
During the Bilateral Consultations with Rwanda, discussions focused on culture, defense and security, education, science and information technology. Highlight was initiation of MoU on Preferential Trade Agreement. The fourth round of Pakistan-Azerbaijan Bilateral Political Consultations will be held in Islamabad today. Mr. Elnur Mammadov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Republic of Azerbaijan is visiting Pakistan to lead the Azerbaijan delegation. The Pakistan delegation would be led by our Foreign Secretary. The two sides will discuss the entire range of bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade, energy, information technology, defense, health, connectivity, and education sectors. The two sides will also discuss a range of regional and international issues.
Pakistan welcomes the initiation of the ceasefire in Gaza on January 19, 2025 and the subsequent release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. This milestone was achieved after the patient and persistent mediatory role of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. We urge the international community to develop a concrete plan for reconstruction of Gaza in line with the UNSC Resolutions.
We call for accountability of the Israeli crimes committed in this brutal war, considering it as an essential element in restoring international legitimacy. Pakistan continues to support the two-state solution which is based on the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, resolutions of the Security Council and decisions of the International Court of Justice.
We unequivocally condemn the latest Israeli raid in the Jenin Refugee Camp of the West Bank resulting in the killing of ten Palestinians. Such actions potentially undermine the precarious ceasefire in Gaza and international community should take note of it.
I thank you!