Pakistan has reiterated its unwavering commitment to regional peace, stability and security, emphasizing that the long-standing Palestinian conflict must be resolved through the immediate implementation of a credible two-state solution in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and international law.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said that the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the R4 countries, held in Istanbul, provided an important opportunity to deliberate on pressing regional and international developments, including the situation in Palestine, Yemen, and the evolving tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, as well as developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
The spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled and consistent support for the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent, sovereign and viable State of Palestine, based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (East Jerusalem) as its capital.
Pakistan called for an immediate end to violence in Gaza and demanded the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to the besieged Palestinian population. The spokesperson stressed that the continued suffering of innocent Palestinians cannot be allowed to persist and that meaningful international efforts are urgently required to translate the two-state solution into reality.
On the situation in Yemen and the Red Sea, Pakistan strongly condemned Houthi attacks on commercial vessels and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The spokesperson underscored that dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful negotiations remain the only viable means of resolving regional disputes and preventing further escalation.
Pakistan also welcomed ongoing diplomatic initiatives, including the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, and called for the restoration of safe, secure and uninterrupted freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the importance of maritime security and stability for regional and global economic interests.
The spokesperson further informed that, on October 23, the Foreign Ministers of the R4 countries also held a meeting in Istanbul with their counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. The discussions focused on key regional and international challenges and the importance of coordinated diplomatic engagement to address emerging threats to international peace and security.
Expressing Pakistan’s deep concern over the Houthi ballistic missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Makkah and Madinah regions on October 26, the spokesperson strongly condemned these provocative and unacceptable acts, describing them as a grave violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan emphasized that targeting areas in the vicinity of Islam’s holiest sites demonstrates a blatant disregard for the sanctity of the sacred places and the safety and security of civilians. Such actions are unacceptable and risk further destabilizing an already volatile region.
The spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reiterated its firm commitment to the Makkah Alliance for Defence. Pakistan underscored that the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia remain of paramount importance and reaffirmed its resolve to stand with the Kingdom against external aggression and threats.
Pakistan also expressed heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Jordan over the loss of precious lives, extending sympathies to the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with Jordan in its fight against terrorism and its efforts to maintain regional peace and stability.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s broader diplomatic position, the spokesperson stressed that peace cannot be achieved through confrontation, aggression or the targeting of civilians and commercial shipping. Pakistan will continue to advocate dialogue, diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law as the essential pillars of lasting regional stability.
