<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday called for holding Israel accountable for its aggression in the besieged Gaza Strip, saying that the \u201cincessant and lethal\u201d Israel bombardment was \u201cdeplorable\u201d.<\/p>\n
He passed these remarks during an address at the 16th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n
On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza and killed 1,400 people, according to officials, while also taking more than 200 hostages. In retaliation, Israel blockaded the strip and launched a brutal air and ground assault, which has since killed more than 10,000 people, mostly children.<\/p>\n
In the most recent development, Israel has ordered Gazans to evacuate to the south of the coastal strip, which has been termed as \u201creminiscent of Nakba\u201d by the United Nations.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the summit today, PM Kakar stressed Israel\u2019s actions in Gaza called for international condemnation. \u201cThis issue needs to be addressed in accordance with the relevant UNSC and OIC resolutions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI urge all ECO member states to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, support the call for the provision of humanitarian assistance and rally efforts to hold Israel to account,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
Kakar lamented the bombing of hospitals and the killing of innocent civilians in the besieged enclave. \u201cThe killing of children I recall in history when pharaohs on the advent of Moses\u2019 birth killed children and now, unfortunately, the people who claim to be the followers of Moses are following the footpath of pharaohs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The PM reiterated that Pakistan strongly condemned these actions and stressed the need for a humanitarian corridor to help the defenceless people of Palestine.<\/p>\n
During his speech, Kakar also highlighted the Indian atrocities inflicted on the people of held-Kashmir.<\/p>\n
He added that growing intolerance, violence and xenophobia were threatening the region and needed to be addressed. \u201cI urge the ECO member states and international community to work together to build political and legal deterrence against the rise of Islamophobia while fostering mutual respect, interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistance,\u201d the prime minister said.<\/p>\n
Talking about the ECO summit, Kakar said it was important to realise the goals and objections of the organisation to achieve its goals. The region if well-connected, he continued, could bring colossal economic and peace dividends.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, the premier said he held a \u201cconstructive interaction\u201d with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and pledged they would address global issues like Islamophobia and climate change together.<\/p>\n
\u201cConstructive interaction with President of Azerbaijan on sidelines of ECO Summit 2023. Our trade, defence, and energy ties are growing,\u201d he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe launch of direct AZAL flights will bolster our connectivity. Together, we address global issues like Islamophobia and climate change.\u201d<\/p>\n