ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is stepping up its diplomatic engagement for Palestine as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has departed for Jordan to join high-level Arab-Islamic ministerial meeting, where regional leaders are expected to coordinate a unified response to the deepening crisis while reaffirming support for the Palestinian cause.
The summit is being hosted by Jordan at invitation of Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi to bring together foreign ministers from Arab League member states and several Islamic countries, including Islamabad, amid growing international concern over the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in occupied Jerusalem and the wider Palestinian territories.
At the moot, Pakistan is expected to extend its longstanding support for the Palestinian people and reiterate its position that lasting peace can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as capital.
Dar is scheduled to hold series of bilateral meetings with participating foreign ministers to discuss the latest regional and international developments, including the Palestine issue and other matters of mutual interest. The participating ministers are also expected to call on Jordan’s King Abdullah II during the visit.
Ahead of summit, FM Dar held separate calls with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, exchanging views on developments in Palestine, occupied East Jerusalem and broader regional issues. His discussion with the Saudi foreign minister also covered the evolving security situation in the Red Sea and the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also welcomed Jordan’s initiative to convene Arab and Islamic countries for a coordinated diplomatic response to the rapidly worsening situation in Palestine, particularly occupied East Jerusalem, while agreeing to remain in close contact on regional developments.
The ministerial gathering comes against the backdrop of continued Israeli military operations and escalating violence in the occupied West Bank since start of Gaza war.
