ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday condemned Israel’s bombing of the historic Grand Mosque in Gaza’s Khan Younis and urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to protect the Palestinians by putting an end to Israeli violations of the international law, the Pakistani foreign office said.
Israel has carried out near-daily raids across Gaza and the West Bank since the October 7 attacks by Hamas, according to the Palestinian authorities. The Israeli military campaign has destroyed 610 mosques and three churches over the past 10 months in Gaza.
Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, a spokesperson for the Pakistani foreign office, expressed grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation of the recent large-scale military operations by Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank.
“Pakistan strongly condemns the bombing of the historic Grand Mosque in Khan Younis, Gaza by the Israeli occupation forces,” she said. “This attack is a grievous assault on a place of deep cultural and religious significance. It also constitutes a clear violation of international law.”
Baloch urged the UNSC to hold Israel accountable for “egregious violations” of international humanitarian law and “war crimes” in Gaza.
“We call on the UN Security Council to take urgent and concrete measures to end these blatant violations of international law and the UN charter, protect the Palestinian people and hold Israel accountable for its egregious violations of international humanitarian law and the genocide and war crimes in Gaza,” she said.
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Speaking about the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Cameroon today, Baloch said Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi will present the South Asian nation’s perspective on Gaza and Kashmir along with other global issues.
The two-day event will be held in Cameroon’s capital city of Yaoundé. Pakistan actively participates in CFM meetings to address issues affecting the Muslim world, including Palestine, Kashmir and counterterrorism, while promoting regional cooperation, economic development and Islamic solidarity apart from fostering collaboration with other member states to tackle common challenges and opportunities.
Pakistan condemns bombing of Grand Mosque in Khan Younis, calls on UN to protect Palestinians
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Pakistan condemns bombing of Grand Mosque in Khan Younis, calls on UN to protect Palestinians
- Pakistan foreign office terms Israeli attack a ‘grievous assault’ on a religious place
- Over 40,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli occupation forces since war began last year
New Zealand hand sorry Pakistan biggest defeat to clinch T20 series
- New Zealand amass 220-6 before dismissing Pakistan for paltry 105 in 17th over
- Jacob Duffy claims 4-20, fellow seamer Zak Foulkes 3-25 to trigger Pakistan collapse
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand: New Zealand's ruthless pace attack carved up Pakistan to deliver a crushing 115-run win in the fourth Twenty20 on Sunday and clinch the five-match series.
The home side moved 3-1 ahead after defending 220-6 in Mount Maunganui and then dismissing a ragged Pakistan for just 105 in the 17th over.
Jacob Duffy claimed 4-20 and fellow seamer Zak Foulkes 3-25 as Pakistan suffered their biggest T20 loss by runs against all nations, eclipsing a 95-run defeat against New Zealand in Wellington nine years ago.
The tourists were reduced to 9-3 after two overs with Duffy bagging two scalps in his first over, both caught by wicketkeeper Mitch Hay.
Duffy's first victim was Hasan Nawaz for one, two days after the Pakistan opener blasted a maiden century in game three in Auckland to keep the series alive.
Teetering at 56-8, Pakistan's innings had some credibility restored thanks to 44 off 30 balls from allrounder Abdul Samad.
The only other batsman to score in double figures was Irfan Khan with 24.
It was New Zealand's second biggest T20 win by runs, nearly surpassing their 119-run drubbing of the West Indies in 2018, at the same Bay Oval venue.
Earlier, Finn Allen raced to 50 off just 20 balls, putting on 59 for New Zealand's opening stand with Tim Seifert, whose 44 took 22 deliveries.
Seifert was the first of three batsmen dismissed by seamer Haris Rauf, who claimed 3-27.
Allen struck six fours and three sixes while captain Michael Bracewell was nearly as effective at the death, blasting 46 not out off 26 balls.
Game five is in Wellington on Wednesday.
Pakistan expresses solidarity with Niger after 44 killed in mosque attack
- Armed militants opened fire on worshippers in mosque at Niger’s Kokorou town on Friday
- Shehbaz Sharif says attack painful reminder “terrorism” recognizes neither faith nor humanity
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday condemned the mosque attack in Niger this week that killed at least 44 people, expressing solidarity with the African country as it reels from the tragedy.
At least 44 people were killed when militants opened fire on worshippers in a mosque on Friday in Niger’s rural border town of Kokorou, the country’s interior ministry said in a statement on Friday.
West Africa’s Sahel region, which includes Niger, has seen an uptick in violence in recent years following the rise of armed fighters linked to Al-Qaeda and Daesh groups that took over the territory in northern Mali after the 2012 Tuareg rebellion.
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of Niger as they mourn the horrific loss of innocent lives in Kokorou, Niger,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X.
“The attack on worshippers, particularly during the sacred month of Ramadan, is a painful reminder that terrorism recognizes neither faith nor humanity,” he added.
The African country said that the attack took place early in the afternoon as people were attending a prayer service at the mosque during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Pakistani prime minister condemned the “barbarity” in strong words, saying that his country shares in Niger’s grief.
Niger’s defense ministry blamed the attack on Daesh affiliate EIGS in a statement late on Friday. EIGS did not respond to the allegations.
Niger frequently fights armed groups in the region, with civilians often becoming casualties of the violence.
Since July 2023, at least 2,400 people have been killed in Niger, according to ACLED, a non-governmental organization that gives armed conflict location and event data.
Pakistan urges international community to take decisive steps to end ‘genocide’ in Palestine
- President Asif Ali Zardari’s statement comes in response to renewed military operations by Israel in Gaza
- Pakistan does not recognize Israel, and its passport explicitly states it cannot be used for travel to country
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday demanded the international community take decisive steps to end the “genocide” in Palestine, reaffirming solidarity with the people of Gaza as tensions with Israel flare in the Middle East again.
Zardari’s statement came following the disagreement between Hamas and Israel over the next steps in the Jan. 19 ceasefire, with the Jewish state resuming air strikes in Gaza this Tuesday followed by ground operations the day after.
On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to annex parts of Gaza unless Hamas frees the remaining Israeli hostages seized in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.
“Here, we express solidarity with Palestine and reaffirm our resolve for their right to self-determination,” Zardari told participants of a military parade held in Islamabad to mark Pakistan’s republic day.
“The international community must immediately take decisive steps to end Palestinian genocide. The Palestinian masses must have complete independence in their own country without any external interference,” he added.
Hamas’ 2023 attack on Israel resulted in 1,218 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures.
Nearly 50,000 people in Gaza have been killed in the war since then due to Israel’s retaliation, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.
Of the 251 Israeli hostages taken that day, 58 are still being held, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
Pakistan does not recognize the state of Israel, and its passport explicitly states that it cannot be used for travel to the country.
Islamabad has repeatedly called for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Pakistan win toss, bowl in fourth New Zealand T20I
- Chasing team has won each of three games of current T20I series between both sides
- Pakistan beat New Zealand by nine wickets in stellar run chase in last match on Friday
Tauranga, New Zealand: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl in the fourth Twenty20 against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Sunday as they bid to square the five-match series.
Captain Salman Agha’s decision was no surprise, given that the chasing team has comfortably won each of the first three games of the series.
New Zealand made two changes from the team that lost the third match in Auckland on Friday by nine wickets, leaving Pakistan trailing 2-1.
Both are to their seam attack, with Zak Foulkes and Will O’Rourke replacing Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears.
Pakistan are unchanged from the team that won at Eden Park, highlighted by opener Hasan Nawaz’s maiden century of 105 not out off 45 balls.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay, Michael Bracewell (capt), Ish Sodhi, Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke
Pakistan: Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (capt), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Umpires: Chris Brown (NZL), Wayne Knights (NZL)
TV umpire: Kim Cotton (NZL)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)
Pakistan celebrates Republic Day with military parade in capital city
- Pakistan holds military parade on Mar. 23 each year to commemorate Lahore Resolution’s adoption by Muslim League party in 1940
- Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari says country has capability to rise above geopolitical challenges, stabilize economy and its borders
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan celebrated its Republic Day with a grand military parade in the capital city on Sunday, as the country’s president vowed the nation would rise above its current challenges to stabilize its economy.
The parade was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr or the official residence of the president on Sunday morning. It is held each year on Mar. 23 to celebrate the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the Muslim League party, which called for the creation of an independent state for the Muslims of India on Mar. 23, 1940.
The day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals. All three contingents of Pakistan’s armed forces, the army, the navy and the air force took part in the military parade.
Speaking at the ceremony, chief guest President Asif Ali Zardari acknowledged that the country is facing several challenges. However, he said Pakistan was capable of striving and prevailing over its existing difficulties.
“Pakistan faces several geopolitical problems but our brave armed forces are giving numerous sacrifices as they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Pakistan’s masses,” Zardari told attendees at the parade.
“We will stabilize our borders, our economy and our agriculture,” he added.
Apart from Zardari, the ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, armed forces services chiefs, senior officials and other dignitaries.
Pakistan Air Force fighter jets presented a fly-past at the ceremony to showcase the country’s air defense capabilities. Pakistan Army troops also held a march-past at the parade, paying homage to the attendees at the event.
While last year the event was held at the Parade Avenue in Islamabad, this year it was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on a “limited” scale due to the holy month of Ramadan, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported earlier this week.
This year, the military parade took place as Pakistan grapples with surging militancy, especially in its southwestern Balochistan province bordering Iran and Afghanistan. Separatist militants last Tuesday bombed a section of the railway track and stormed the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express train carrying over 400 passengers in the mountainous Bolan region.
The crisis was resolved the following day when the armed forces carried out a successful operation to rescue the hostages, killing all 33 militants in the process. A final count showed 23 soldiers, three railway employees and five passengers had died in the attack.
Violence persisted in the region days later as a blast killed five, including three paramilitary soldiers, in the province’s Nushki district last Sunday.
On Saturday, unidentified gunmen shot dead four cops and four Punjab-based laborers in Balochistan in separate attacks.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks but suspicion is likely to fall on the outlawed militant Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) group, which has carried out attacks against Punjab-based laborers and law enforcers in the southwestern province.
