STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER SHAHID KHAQAN ABBASI AT THE 7TH EXTRAORDINARY OIC SUMMIT ON THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE AT ISTANBUL TURKEY ON 18TH MAY, 2018

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER SHAHID KHAQAN ABBASI AT THE 7TH EXTRAORDINARY OIC SUMMIT ON THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE AT ISTANBUL TURKEY ON 18TH MAY, 2018

Mr. Chairman,
Secretary General,
Excellencies, Brothers & Sisters,
Assalam-o-Alaikum!

On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, I convey our deep appreciation to President Erdogan for convening this timely and important Summit.
 
Our gathering is important both for its key messages and a response strategy in the face of injustice, illegality and impunity against our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

Pakistan joins the OIC countries in conveying our strong condemnation of the massacre and maiming of innocent Palestinians by Israeli forces earlier this week.

Today we in Pakistan commemorated a day of solidarity with the Palestinian people and special prayers were held in our mosques.

These killings represent yet another brazen chapter in the seventy years of injustice to the people of Palestine.

This year also marks the 70th anniversary of deliberate Israeli defiance of international law and norms.

Excellencies,

It is deeply regrettable that the US did not heed to universal calls for rescinding its decisions about recognizing Jerusalem as the so-called capital of Israel, and relocation of its Embassy to the Holy City.

Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the Palestinian people in the face of unbridled tyranny.

It is therefore in the fitness of things that our conference resolutely condemns and rejects unilateral decisions and recurrent violations of international legality. Concurrently, it is heartening to note the strong message of solidarity and support by the OIC for their Palestinian brothers and sisters in these turbulent times.

Excellencies,

We also see this Summit as an occasion for introspection and charting a path for justice and equity for the people of Palestine. We must unify our ranks and evolve an effective response strategy.

We are at an important juncture in history. It is no longer a question of choice but of necessity - to rise above our differences, demonstrate solidarity and support for the people of Palestine and above all ensure that international law is upheld without exception.

Excellencies,

I would like to recall two questions that I had placed before our previous extraordinary summit here last December.

Firstly, how have we come to this pass? The fact is that we have not given concrete shape to our expressions of solidarity and unity. This has been true not only for Palestine but for other common causes also.

The world is witness to a similar pattern of tragedy, both in scope and scale. For seven decades, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been subjected to illegal Indian occupation and blatant violation of their fundamental rights including their right to self-determination. As in the case of Palestine, the UN Security Council resolutions continue to be defied and the just struggle for freedom conveniently branded as terrorism.

Without rectifying our political, economic, communication and technological weaknesses we will not be able to mount a sustained defense of our brethren whether in Palestine or Kashmir.

The second key question is what should be our response? Should we accept defiance of international law and the reign of state terrorism as fait accompli? It is clear that only a demonstration of rage will not be sufficient to alter the status quo.

Our response should therefore be multi-pronged and well-considered.
On the one hand, it is essential to reaffirm and renew our full solidarity and unity among and between our countries and people. We must also set aside our political differences. Even more important is to faithfully implement the OIC plans of action that are already in place in diverse areas.

Only by taking these actions can we resist external pressures, reverse the losses and take our destinies in our own hands.

Excellencies,

Our response strategy must also include all possible options.
On the diplomatic front, we must continue to demand that the UN Security Council fulfill its key responsibility for implementation of its existing resolutions.

The OIC must demand accountability for defiance of its decisions. We must underscore that the Council's credibility will be questioned if it does not deliver on its duty to ensure implementation of its resolutions. We must reject double standards in the enforcement of Council resolutions.
And if the UN Security Council is unable or unwilling to act, we should mobilize support in the UN General Assembly for rejection of revisionist decisions and ensuring accountability of violators of international law.
We must also follow up on OIC decisions for economic and other appropriate actions to change the behavior of the occupying forces.
We should also consider the possibility of seeking the ICJ's advisory opinion on the illegality of recent actions.

We need to reach out to other states and groupings to sustain support for the just cause of the Palestinians, put an end to continued killings and state terrorism and build an independent and contiguous State of Palestine, on the basis of internationally agreed parameters, the pre-1967 borders, and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

I thank you very much.

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Prime Minister's Visit to attend the 7th Extraordinary OIC Summit

ISTANBUL, 18 May 2018: Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is leading the Pakistan delegation to the 7th Extraordinary OIC Summit being held today, 18 May 2018 in Istanbul to discuss the grave situation in the aftermath of blatant human rights violations by the occupying forces in the state of Palestine.

The Extraordinary Summit has been called by the President of Turkey in his capacity as the Chair of the OIC Summit.

The Summit will focus on the latest incidents of violence in the Gaza strip where over 60 civilians have been mercilessly killed by the occupying Israeli forces and scores of others have sustained injuries including women, children and the elderly. Pakistan has called for an independent and transparent investigation of violence in Gaza.

While condemning the human rights violations by the occupying Israeli force, Prime Minister will reiterate support of the people and Government of Pakistan for the establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous state of Palestine.

CHIEF OF THE TURKISH GENERAL STAFF GENERAL HULUSI AKAR CALLED ON PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN MAMNOON HUSSAIN AT THE AIWAN-E-SADR, ISLAMABAD ON MAY 04, 2018

President Mamnoon Hussain has said that close and fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkey are the guarantee of stability and prosperity in the region. The President said this while talking to Chief of the General Staff Turkish Armed Forces General Hulusi AKAR who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on 4 May 2018. Turkish Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. The President emphasized that Pakistan and Turkey have very deep brotherly relations which cannot be described in words. He underlined that Turkey is playing a very positive role towards the resolution of different international issues. Turkey has dealt with the Middle East crisis and especially the issue of refugees in a very positive manner, he added. He stated that Turkey has always supported Pakistan stance on the issue of Kashmir and we are grateful to our Turkish brothers for it. He added that Pakistan unconditionally supports Turkey’s stance on the issue of North Cyprus. He underscored that Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He also praised the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said that he is a brave leader of the Islamic World who always takes a just and fair stand for the resolution of challenges face by the Muslim Ummah. The President also expressed his pleasure on close cooperation between the two countries in different fields including defence which will further grow in the coming days. He also conveyed his best wishes to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Chief of the General Staff Turkish Armed Forces General Hulusi AKAR thanked the President and said that Pakistan has always supported Turkey in difficult time for which Turkish nation is grateful to the people of Pakistan.

Chief of Turkish General Staff General Hulusi Akar meets Pakistan’s premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

Chief of the General Staff of the Republic of Turkey General Hulusi Akar, called on the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at Prime Minister’s Office on 3 May 2018. Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, Minister for Defence was also present on the occasion.
General Akar conveyed the greetings of President H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the Prime Minister and expressed satisfaction at the high level contacts between the two countries. The two brotherly countries supported each other within all international and regional organizations on issues of mutual interest. He said that there was a need to further increase cooperation at the defence level with focus on increasing contacts, training and joint exercises.
The Prime Minister, while reciprocating the greetings of the Turkish leadership stated that the Governments and people of Pakistan and Turkey enjoyed exemplary fraternal relations. He expressed satisfaction over bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. He also briefed the Chief of the General Staff on Pakistan’s successful counterterrorism efforts.
Both sides reiterating the close and cordial ties between Pakistan and Turkey, emphasized the need to further enhance and strengthen their brotherly relations.

Chief of Turkish General Staff calls on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Army Staff during his Pakistan visit


Rawalpindi, 3 May 2018: General Hulusi AKAR, Chief of Turkish General Staff, who is on official visit to Pakistan from 2-4 May called on General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee at Joint Staff Headquarters, Rawalpindi today. Besides security and regional issues, matters related to further enhancing, the level and scope of bilateral military engagements and cooperation were discussed. Chief of Turkish General Staff applauded the professionalism of Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in fight against terrorism. 

Upon his arrival at Joint Staff Headquarters, a tri-services contingent presented ‘Guard of Honour’ to the Chief of Turkish General Staff.

General Hulusi Akar also called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff of (COAS) of Pakistan today at GHQ. Focus of the discussion remained on areas of mutual interest, military to military relations, regional security and measures to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation. Visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s sincere efforts and sacrifices in war against terrorism and for stability in the region. COAS thanked the General for Turkey’s unflinching support to Pakistan as recently illustrated in FATF forum.
Earlier on arrival at the GHQ, the Turkish dignitary laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented the Guard of Honour to the TGS Chief.