https://arab.news/b6zqd
- Pakistan PM says lasting peace will remain ‘elusive’ until people of both regions have right to self-determination
- Israel’s military offensives in Gaza for almost two years now have killed over 65,000 people, injured many more
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that humanitarian tragedies in Palestine and Indian-administered Kashmir cannot be overlooked, as the world marks International Day of Peace today amid raging conflicts worldwide.
The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on Sept. 21. Established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and calls for an end to conflicts anywhere.
Pakistan has frequently criticized Israel for its military operations in Gaza since October 2023, which have killed over 65,000 people. The South Asian country also urges the world to take action against alleged Indian atrocities in Kashmir. India and Pakistan both administer different parts of the Himalayan territory and have fought two out of three wars over the region.
“The Prime Minister, in his message, said grave humanitarian tragedies cannot be overlooked unfolding in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the occupied Palestinian territories,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
“He said lasting peace will remain an elusive dream until the people of these regions are granted their right to self-determination in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
Sharif said Pakistan is ready to play its role in spreading peace, urging the international community to join hands in the “struggle for peace, justice and humanity.”
President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message, repeated the same.
“He [Zardari] said Pakistan’s role in global and regional peace and stability is appreciated by the world,” Radio Pakistan said.
Pakistan’s call for support for the people of Palestine came as Israel continued with its military operations in Gaza. Israeli forces dismantled underground shafts and booby-trapped structures in attacks that killed at least 60 Palestinians dead on Saturday.
Israel’s military estimates it has demolished up to 20 Gaza city tower blocks over the past two weeks. It also believes, according to Israeli media, that more than 500,000 people have left the city since the start of September.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, disputes this, saying just under 300,000 have left and around 900,000 remain, including Israeli hostages.
In almost two years of fighting, Israel’s offensive has spread famine, demolished most structures and displaced most of the population, in many cases multiple times, according to Gaza authorities.