78th Indonesian Anniversary of the Independence and Armed Forces Day celebrated
Islamabad: The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia Mr. Adam M. Tugio hosted a grand reception today to mark the 78th Anniversary of the Independence and the Armed Forces Day of Indonesia. The reception was attended by a large number of government dignitaries, diplomats and eminent members of civil society. The Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Dr. Kauser Abdullah Malik was the Chief Guest and Vice Admiral Abdul Samad was the Guest of Honor on the occasion.
In his welcome address, Ambassador Adam highlighted significant achievements of modern and developing Indonesia as the world’s largest democracy, a G-20 member with trillion dollar economy and its strong commitment to contribute for world peace and security with an inclusive approach. He added that Indonesian National Armed Forces Day are an integral part of this consistent struggle for a more progressive and prosperous Indonesia with their motto of ‘Three services, One Determination’, reflecting strong spirit of mutual cooperation among three military services.
Talking about Indonesia-Pakistan relations, he said the growing two-way ties are a good example of multi-dimensional constructive engagement and productive cooperation. He deeply appreciated support and cooperation of Pakistan as a valued friend in South Asia during course of Indonesian progress and expected enhanced strategic engagement for the mutual benefit of both countries in the future. The Ambassador gladly pointed out that mutual fascination for each other’s culture has grown in recent years, which is reflected by the display of Indonesian Batik with Pakistani traditional design of motif in the reception.
The Chief Guest Dr. Kauser Abdullah Malik in his remarks expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum of bilateral cooperation and suggested further expansion and diversification in multiple areas of interest.
The special feature of the reception was an entertaining performance by Indonesian artists from Padang, West Sumatra Province of Indonesia, reflecting the diversity and charm of Indonesian culture.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (dna):Pakistan on Thursday expressed its disappointment over the results of the emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held on Wednesday and called for an immediate end to the bombardment and inhumane blockade of Gaza.
“We are nationally disappointed by the results of the UNSC debate. The Security Council should play its designated role to bring an immediate end to the bombardment and blockade leading to a humanitarian catastrophe,” the Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in her weekly press briefing.
The spokesperson was referring to the use of veto power by the United States at the UN Security Council to block a resolution calling for Israel to allow humanitarian corridors into the Gaza Strip, a pause in the fighting and the lifting of an order for civilians to leave the north of the besieged territory.
China, Russia and the UAE had convened the meeting to discuss the worsening situation in Gaza. The resolution, sponsored by Brazil, had wide support and would have also condemned all violence against civilians. The vote in the 15-member Council was 12 votes in favour to one (United States) against, with Russia and China abstaining.
She said Pakistan did not believe in escalation but rather wanted a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and called upon the international community to work together to ensure peace.
Asked whether Pakistan intended to send its troops to Palestine under any mandate, not to fight against Israel rather for maintenance of peace, the spokesperson said that Pakistan had no such plan.
She said Pakistan had a peaceful posture and never started a war with any country and always called for dialogue to seek resolution of the issues.
She reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation on Israeli atrocities in Gaza particularly the recent attack on a hospital. She said the a deliberate attack on civilians constituted to war crimes.
Spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch told the media that a chartered plane carrying 100 tons of humanitarian assistance including medical supplies, tents and blankets would leave later on the day for Egypt for their onward transportation to Gaza for the suffering Palestinian population.
She told the media that a briefing session was held for the diplomatic corps on the subject of the repatriation of illegal foreign nationals from Pakistan. She said an institutional mechanism has been developed to prevent the incidents of harassment and a helpline has also been established to address the complaints.
Asked about any extension in the deadline of 31st October, she said the government had the mandate to make any such decision.
About the OIC ministerial meeting on the Gaza issue held in Jeddah on Wednesday, Spokesperson Mumtaz Baloch said the joint communique reflected the consensus among the member countries.
Referring to the Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s ongoing visit to China to attend Third Belt and Road Forum, she said the visit coincided with the the celebration of the decade of CPEC. The visit had four components of participation in the Forum, meeting with Chinese leadership, meeting with other leaders attending the event and interaction with think tanks and media.
She said during the visit, Pakistan and China also signed MoUs on the connectivity, and communication projects including ML-1, food security and research, industrial cooperation and climate change.
She said on Thursday the prime minister would travel to Urumqi to meet the party secretary, influential corporate executives and deliver a speech at Xinjiang University before returning to their homeland on Friday.
Highlighted the Indian oppression in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson mentioned the forced closure of Jamia Masjid of Srinagar last Friday and house arresting Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who was released recently after four years of house-arrest.
She said Pakistan would continue to support Kashmiri brothers and sisters till the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (DNA):Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, visited an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to witness the ongoing aerial exercise Indus Shield-2023 on Thursday.
On his arrival at the base, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was received by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, a PAF news release said.
The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was briefed on the Air Power Center of Excellence training facility as well as the scope of the exercise which aims to project cooperation between the participating air forces and consolidate upon modern concepts of aerial warfare.
The Air Chief appreciated the utmost support extended by General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and lauded his efforts in the promotion of tri-services synergy.
He highlighted the significance of the 14 nation Exercise Indus Shield which in addition to boosting the operational readiness of PAF, would also prepare the participants for contemporary warfare challenges.
He further reiterated that the exercise employing cutting-edge niche technologies and high-tech fighters not only offers a unique opportunity for participating air forces to bring their unparalleled skills and operational capabilities to the spotlight but will also deepen mutual understanding between the participating contingents to foster connectivity and cooperation.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of the Air Staff said, “The current global security situation coupled with the changing dynamics of warfare calls for enhanced partnership among armed forces. Exercise Indus Shield offers an invaluable learning experience of aerial warfare employment tactics to the air and ground crew through simulation of real-time war scenarios and varied combat missions”.
Interacting with the participants of the exercise, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee accentuated the paramount importance of multinational air exercises in the pursuit of common objectives amidst the ever-evolving dynamics of air warfare.
He lauded the professionalism of the participants of the exercise and appreciated the efforts of the Air Power Center of Excellence in orchestrating this monumental exercise, which would not only fortify the existing partnerships among key allies but would also enhance interoperability among the participating Air Forces.
The visiting dignitary also admired the dynamic leadership of the Air Chief, whose firm resolve and relentless efforts paved the way for this exercise to be one of the mega aerial exercises of the region.
Exercise Indus Shield-2023 is witnessing participation from 14 esteemed Air Forces including Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Morocco, Uzbekistan, China, and Hungary.
The exercise offers a unique opportunity for participating air forces to bring their unparalleled skills and operational capabilities on a single platform.
Likewise, the meticulous planning and execution of Exercise Indus Shield serves as a testament to the vision of the esteemed Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, in recognizing the pivotal role played by PAF in advancing technology, modernizing its capabilities and deploying contemporary combat tactics to effectively address shared challenges in aerial defence.
ISLAMABAD: All the legal hurdles were removed on Thursday in the smooth return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif after he was granted protective bail in two graft cases while his arrest warrant in the Toshakhana case was suspended by an accountability court.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo had approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for bail in Al-Azizia and Avenfield references which approved the pleas, granting bail till October 24.
The IHC announced the verdict, restraining the authorities from arresting Nawaz Sharif on his return to the country on Saturday (October 21).
The high court said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) did not raise any objections to the protective bail sought by the PML-N supremo in corruption cases.
Earlier, an accountability court suspended the arrest warrant issued against him in the Toshakhana case.
A two-member IHC bench comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the Nawaz’s bail petitions.
Reacting to the verdict, PML-N President and former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the IHC decision, saying his elder brother was disqualified based on a “fictitious and fabricated story”,
“The elected Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, was disqualified based on a fictitious and fabricated story. He was implicated in absurd cases and subjected to mistreatment,” he wrote on X.
“Any fair hearing would have established his innocence. Bail is a fundamental right, and we welcome the IHC decision in this regard, hoping that justice will prevail, InshaAllah,” the PML-N chief added.
A day earlier, the IHC issued a notice to NAB on Nawaz’s petitions seeking protective bail in corruption references.
The NAB Rawalpindi Bureau had nominated Rafay Maqsood to appear before the IHC bench as a prosecutor.
The three-time former prime minister was declared a proclaimed offender by the IHC in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia cases over non-compliance after he went to London for medical treatment with the court’s permission in November 2019.
In Avenfield and Al-Azizia references, Nawaz was sentenced to 10 and seven years in prison, respectively, by an accountability court in 2018.
His appeals against the convictions were dismissed by the IHC bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Mohsin Akhtar Kayani for non-compliance.
Nawaz’s sentence in Al-Azizia reference was suspended in 2019 by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on medical grounds and he was permitted to fly to London to seek treatment, after which he did not return.
Nawaz’s travel plan: Dubai-Islamabad-Lahore
Azam Nazeer Tarar, the head of Nawaz’s legal team, said no change has been made in the party supremo’s return schedule. He said Nawaz would land at Islamabad airport in a charted plane from Dubai on October 21 and would leave for Lahore after a brief stay.
“Nawaz Sharif’s return plan is the same as submitted in Islamabad High Court,” he added. Tarar said Nawaz will leave for Lahore after fulfilling legal formalities and attending a consultative meeting in the federal capital.
The fifth round of the ‘Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan’ was held on 29 September 2023. It carried out a comprehensive review of Afghanistan situation since the US troops’ withdrawal, completed about two years ago.
The forum emphasised that all terrorists’ safe havens in Afghanistan should be destroyed and human rights should be upheld.
Afghanistan’s problematic security landscape arising out of handiwork of numerous terrorist outfits, was viewed with utmost concern. Afghan government was urged to take effective measures to address this issue.
Kazan review of Afghanistan situation
It was articulated in the meeting that the international community was taking ineffective actions and that the ensuing complacency needed to end.
But no concrete proposals were put forwarded to the international community regarding ways and means to extend a helping hand to the Afghan government.
Also, no tangible plan of action was recommended to the international community for strengthening Afghanistan’s economy.
As of now, Afghanistan stands abandoned by the international community, to let it rot. Numerous tangible obstacles have been fielded in the pathway of Afghanistan’s political and economic stability.
On top of the list is confiscation of Afghan government’s money deposited in the US treasury and banks.
Though stabilising the post US withdrawal Afghanistan is a shared responsibility of the international community; the onus, primarily, lies on the US and the UN.
Kazan review of Afghanistan situation
All-encompassing multilateral cooperation shall only be possible if the US-led Western coalition, whose actions over the course of 20 years or so, have led to the current crisis in Afghanistan, acknowledges and accepts its responsibility for post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghan government and society.
The initial steps should be unfreezing of the Afghan national assets, the World over, and immediate lifting of sanctions of all shades.
Unless a cooperative enabling hand is extended to the Afghan government, nothing worthwhile is likely to accomplish.
During the conference, Afghan government was prompted to undertake a meaningful, constructive, and result-driven discussion with the representatives of different ethno-political groups with a view to speedily conclude a viable political process, and expeditiously establish a fair, inclusive, broad-based, accountable, and responsible government in the country. This demand and the flashing urgency wasn’t realistic.
Kazan review of Afghanistan situation
The Kabul government has already nominated individuals representing different Afghan ethnic groups. It will be expecting too much from a war winning side to pick up such representatives to the liking of former warlords who fought alongside the US occupation forces against Taliban.
This may only be possible, say, in distant future as and when the tempers cool down to a level permitting, at least, a functional working relationship amongst the rivals.
Forum took exception to Afghan government’s attempts at politicizing humanitarian assistance. Importance of continuing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan was reaffirmed by the forum, which was a good gesture.
Another welcome step by the conference was expression of interest for expanding international community’s engagement with the current Afghan authorities in the areas of culture, sports and education, this could go a long way in bringing Afghan people back to their regional moorings.
The forum noted, with deep concern, Afghanistan government’s colossal failure with regard to flow of terrorist bands to the adjoining countries and their committal of acts of terrorism in those countries with an uptick frequency and intensity.
Kazan review of Afghanistan situation
Afghanistan was urged to take charge of the issue and produce tangible end results which should be reflected in the form of sharp reduction in the incidents of cross-border terrorism originating from Afghan soil.
It was also stressed that time had come to deconstruct, remove, and prevent the establishment of all types of terrorist organisations in Afghanistan, and choke the in-flow of logistics to such outfits.
Pakistan is suffering the most at the hands of these rogue elements, operating from Afghan soil.
Due to reorganization of TTP, IS, and Al Qaeda remnants in Afghanistan, terrorism the southern regions of Afghanistan and north-western region of Pakistan has increased phenomenally.
Afghan terrorist entities have established strong cross-border links with their Pakistani counterparts. There is hardly a terrorist incident free day in Pakistan.
The joint statement commended the Afghan government for its stern resistance against Daesh, and it was advised to tackle all other terrorist entities in a similar way.
The issue of defanging terrorist entities in Afghanistan needs deft handling at regional level.
All six immediate neighbours of Afghanistan need to put their act together with regard to effective border management with Afghanistan to choke the logistics of these undesired terrorist militias.
Kazan review of Afghanistan situation
Certainly, the Afghan government has a responsibility to discharge. Having transitioned from a war fighting militia to the level of political masters of Afghanistan, the Taliban run Afghan government has a set of obligations towards the international community.
Afghan government needs to step up cooperation with its neighbours in its fight against terrorism and drug-trafficking.
It ought to provide necessary conditions to enhance the wellbeing of the Afghan people, avoid their further emigration and offer circumstances for voluntary homecoming of its refugees; it also needs to reassess the tenability of regressive limitations placed on women employment and girls’ education.
Air Commodore Khalid Iqbal (Retd) is Director National Security at Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), Lahore Pakistan. He may be reached at [email protected]
Chennai, OCT 18: New Zealand continued their impeccable form and defeated Afghanistan by 149 runs in the 16th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India, on Wednesday.
The Black Caps — led by Tom Latham — recorded their fourth consecutive win in the mega event and seem to be leading the race to the event’s semi-final.
Trent Boult and Matt Henry gave early blows to Afghanistan who were chasing a massive 289-run target on the tricky wicket of Chennai, which troubled the New Zealand batters in the first innings as well.
The Afghans had high hopes from their star opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but the 21-year-old looked hopeless against Henry and was bowled out for just 11 runs.
Rahmat Shah top scored for his side with 36 off 62, while the other batters couldn’t deliver with the bat. Azmatullah Omarzai was the second top-scorer with 27 runs.
The entire Afghanistan team were all out for just 139 runs, losing the game by a massive 149-run margin.
The Black Caps’ bowlers gave an all-round performance with all of their bowlers — other than Glenn Phillips — taking at least a wicket.
Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson picked three while Boult, Henry and Rachin Ravindra bagged one each.
Batting first, New Zealand managed to post a colossal 289-run target and Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men have no one, but themselves to blame.
Afghanistan’s fielders dropped catches on five different occasions, giving more and more chances to Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham — who rescued the Kiwis from 110-4 and built a significant 144-run partnership.
Phillips scored 71 off 80 while Latham contributed to 68 off 74 runs. The remaining damage was done by Mark Chapman, who played a quick knock, scoring 25 off 12 with three boundaries.
Afghanistan got into the front seat after Omarzai took two wickets in an over but dropping catches took all their chances away.
Afghanistan entered this match on a high note after beating England by 69 runs but losing this match can take them back to where they were in the World Cup.
On the other hand, New Zealand play India next, another unbeaten team, and it is surely a candidate for the match of the tournament.
WASHINGTON, OCT 18 /DNA/ – President Biden announced today that the United States is providing $100 million in humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. This funding will help support over a million displaced and conflict-affected people with clean water, food, hygiene support, medical care, and other essential needs. The United States provides humanitarian assistance through trusted partners including UN agencies and international NGOs.
Civilians are not to blame and should not suffer for Hamas’s horrific terrorism. Civilian lives must be protected and assistance must urgently reach those in need. We will continue to work closely with partners in the region to stress the importance of upholding the law of war, supporting those who are trying to get to safety or provide assistance, and facilitating access to food, water, medical care, and shelter.
The BRI’s concept of shared future for mankind is not about road and railway infrastructure, but also to create linkages among civilizations and nations,” he said
DNA
BEIJING: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday said Pakistan was committed to working with China and other regional partners in achieving the ideals of an open global economy and promoting connectivity on a trans-continental scale. Both sides have also singed the contract for ML I Project. The project will cost USD 6.7 billion. The cost of the project has been reduced from USD 9 billion to 6.7.
“With shared responsibility and by embracing the vision of working together, we can create a brighter, peaceful, and sustainable future for ourselves and for our generations,” he said in his address at the high-level event of the Third Belt and Road Forum (BRF) on ‘Connectivity in an Open Global Economy’.
The two-day forum, which marked the 10 years of the multi-billion dollar cross-regional Belt and Road Initiative, kicked off in China’s capital Beijing with representatives from 140 countries in attendance.
PM Kakar said Pakistan endorsed China’s vision of global connectivity and also looked forward to joining hands with other partners across borders and regions to materialize the projects.
“I am hopeful that together we can shape a world with the bonds that unite us together, rather than the forces that divide us,” he said.
The prime minister congratulated President Xi Jinping for his revolutionary idea of the Belt and Road Initiative launched 10 years ago that proved instrumental in bringing common development and shared prosperity.
He termed enhanced connectivity a profound factor in development and progress in the modern age of globalization.
“The BRI’s concept of shared future for mankind is not about road and railway infrastructure, but also to create linkages among civilizations and nations,” he said.
He mentioned that the world faced a number of challenges including post-pandemic effects, the divide between the developed and the impoverished, peace, and food security.
Kakar highlighted that BRI’s flagship project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) played a crucial role in generating new economic opportunities in Pakistan.
Underscoring its salience for Pakistan’s robust economic development, he endorsed the Chinese proposal for developing CPEC as a corridor of growth, innovation, livelihood, green economy, openness, and inclusiveness.
The prime minister underlined the need for a united global response to address complex transnational challenges faced by humankind and to prevent backsliding on the gains achieved under the UN Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda.
He emphasised the urgency of addressing infrastructure gaps in the developing world by investing in transportation, energy, and digital economy.
In Pakistan, he said CPEC’s 50 projects worth $25 billion investment resulted in the creation of modern highways, seaports, airports, and rapid mass transit systems.
He said the government of Pakistan had taken steps to make the country a trade hub by connecting Gwadar with the landlocked countries, thus opening new vistas to the west and beyond.
Kakar expressed confidence that as CPEC crossed its decade of launch, the next phase would be poised to accommodate rural farmers, students, and small tradesmen and ensure improvement in living standards, poverty alleviation, and jobs creation.
He said Pakistan’s collaboration with China in the information technology sector and CPEC’s green corridor would ensure modernization, food security, and agricultural and environmental protection.
“This vision promotes cooperation, collective security, inclusive and sustainable development, and a balanced eco-system as the only way to address global challenges,” he said.
The BRF was opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping this morning where he highlighted the concept of working with all participants to draw a new blueprint for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
Xi said China looks forward to strengthening ties, engaging in dialogues, forging new partnerships, and promoting regional connectivity for a brighter future.
“The BRF is about planning together, building together, and benefiting together,” he said, adding that the project had established a new framework for international cooperation.
ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Pakistan renewed & enriched the Azerbaijan Study Center & Heydar Aliyev Corner operating in the National Library of Pakistan.
At the event organized on this occasion, Ambassador Khazar Farhadov spoke about the great work done by the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev for the protection of independence and development of Azerbaijan, the visionary policy of President Ilham Aliyev, and the liberation of our territories from Armenian occupation under his leadership, as well as the Azerbaijan-Pakistan relations and Western Azerbaijan Community.
JEDDAH, OCT 18 /DNA/ – The Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in its extraordinary open-ended meeting held at the level of foreign ministers on Wednesday, 3 Rabi’ al-Thani 1445, corresponding to 18 October 2023, upon the joint invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chair of the current session of the Islamic Summit and Chair of the Executive Committee, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, to discuss the ongoing Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people,
Recalling the principles and objectives contained in the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,
Emphasizing all resolutions issued by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation regarding the issue of Palestine and the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif,
Reaffirming its emphasis on the centrality of the Palestinian issue for the entire Islamic Ummah; Supporting the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, most notably their right to self-determination and the return of Palestinian refugees, their right to independence, and the embodiment of the independent and sovereign State of Palestine on the borders of June 4th , 1967, with its capital, Al-Quds Al-Sharif, As well as his legitimate right to self-defense to confront the Israeli aggression that targets their lives, their sanctities, and their properties.
In light of the blatant and unprecedented Israeli aggression in the occupied Palestinian territory and the heinous massacres perpetrated against civilians in Gaza Strip by the Israeli occupation forces, which led to hundreds of innocent civilian casualties, thousands of injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands through the demolition of their homes,
1. Calls for the immediate cessation of the barbaric aggression of the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people and the immediate lifting of the siege imposed to the Gaza Strip; Reaffirms its strong condemnation of the unprecedented aggression against civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip and the entire occupied Palestinian territory by killing, bombing, deliberately destroying infrastructure, threatening to commit atrocities and to exterminate them, as well as the absolute rejection of targeting civilians under any pretext or displacing them from their homes, or starving and depriving them of safe access to humanitarian aid in contravention of all international norms and laws, and of the most basic humanitarian principles and values;
2. Calls upon all countries to quickly provide humanitarian, medical and relief aid, water and electricity, and to open humanitarian corridors immediately in order to safely deliver urgent aid to the Gaza Strip, including through the United Nations institutions particularly the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and support its efforts in this regard ; Warns of the danger of continuing the policy of deliberate targeting of civilians and collective punishment accompanied by policies of starvation, water deprivation, and the stopping of the only power generation station in Gaza Strip suspended due to the prevention of fuel access, portending a real disaster for all health and humanitarian services, in contravention of international humanitarian law and amounting to the commission of international crimes, including the crime against humanity.
3. Strongly condemns the blatant targeting by Israel’s brutal occupation forces of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza Strip, which killed and injured hundreds of innocent sick, injured and displaced innocent civilians, which represents a war crime, extermination and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, ethics and international and humanitarian instruments, Calls upon the international community to act swiftly and to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for these heinous war crimes against the Palestinian people and humanity as at large, and calls for immediate intervention to halt this massacre;
4. Israel, the occupying power, bears full responsibility for the fate of civilians in the Gaza Strip and the real tragedy they are subjected to under bombardment, siege, and starvation, without electricity, food, or clean water, while being forced to abandon their homes, and for the policy of indiscriminate collective punishment that it applies in a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as its legal responsibilities as the occupying power in accordance with the Geneva Conventions;
5. Stresses the importance of preserving the lives of all civilians, and not targeting them in any way being inconsistent with international law and international humanitarian law, as well as divine laws.
6. Rejects categorically calls to displace the population of Gaza Strip and affirms its support for the steadfastness of the Palestinian people on their land; Stresses the importance for the international community to play its role in preventing any attempt of forced displacement of the Palestinian population from their land, transferring the crisis to the neighboring countries and exacerbating issue of Palestinian refugees whom right to compensation and return must be met with in the framework of a comprehensive solution to the conflict that addresses the final status issues in conformity with the pertinent UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative; stopping the military escalation, lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip, and contributing urgently to the entry of relief and humanitarian aid for civilians;
7. Expresses its strong regret and condemnation of the failure of the United Nations Security Council and its inability to discharge its responsibilities by taking a decisive decision to halt the war crimes carried out by the Israeli occupying forces against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip and all Palestinian territory, which negatively affect the Security Council’s role in maintaining international peace and security and protecting unarmed civilians;
8. Calls upon the United Nations and the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities, to take all urgent measures to ensure an end to the brutal and barbaric aggression against the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the entire Palestinian territory, to allow the entry of humanitarian aid, to provide protection for defenseless Palestinian civilians, and to stop the escalating humanitarian catastrophe carried out by the forces of the illegal Israeli occupation;
9. Warns of the escalation of attacks by the Israeli occupation army and settler terrorism weaponed and protected by the occupation forces in Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the West Bank in their continuing aggression against the civilian population and their properties, including killing, destroying, displacing, building and expanding settlements, within the framework of its brutal colonial campaign aimed at annexing the occupied Palestinian territory and affirms the importance of preserving sanctity of holy sites in Al-Quds, and the full protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque as well as the prevention of the violation of the status and sanctity of sacred places in Al-Quds;
10. Stresses the support of the Government of the State of Palestine at all levels, including the political, economic and financial levels, as well as its international and legal endeavors, to halt the heinous crimes, including the crime of genocide against the Palestinian people; National Authority those perpetrated by the Israeli occupation authorities;
11. Deplores the international positions that back the brutal aggression against the Palestinian people, and grant Israel impunity, taking advantage of the double standards that provide cover for the occupying power and fuel the conflict, which will only lead to increased violence and destruction, and seek to punish the Palestinian people, including cutting off humanitarian aid to them;
12. Reaffirms that peace, security and stability in the region will not be achieved without putting an end to the Israeli colonial occupation and its oppressive practices against the Palestinian people and by empowering the Palestinian people with their inalienable rights, particularly their right to self-determination, independence and return, on the basis of the international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy;
13. Calls upon international actors to engage in sponsoring a serious political path to achieve peace based on ending the illegal Israeli occupation that had begun in 1967 and implementing the two-state solution, within a clear time frame, as stipulated in the rules of international law and United Nations resolutions, and referring to the Peace process and the Arab Peace Initiative;
14. Calls upon the missions of the member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the capitals and international organizations to take immediate action to convey the OIC’s position to the capitals of the countries and organizations to which they are accredited and to work with the necessary speed up their endeavours towards condemning and stopping the aggression, and ensuring the provision of the necessary humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian people;
15. Calls on Member states to apply all feasible and effective diplomatic, legal and deterrent measures, to stop the occupying power Israel’s crimes against humanity.
16. Calls for an Extraordinary CFM meeting at the GS Headquarters to discuss the ongoing crimes of Israel against the Palestinian people.
17. Request the Secretary-General to identify the possible set of effective and concrete measures as soon as possible and present it to the next Extraordinary CFM meeting.
18. Stresses the need to provide international protection for the Palestinian people, in conformity with international humanitarian law standards as has been repeatedly advocated by the United Nations General Assembly, including in resolution ES-10/20 of 13 June 2018 and in line with the Final Communique of the 7th Extraordinary Islamic Summit, by dispatching an international protection force to protect innocent lives from ongoing attacks by the occupation forces and the extremist colonialist settlers ;
19. Assigns the Secretary-General of the Organization to communicate with the five permanent members of the Security Council / the Secretary-General of the United Nations / the High Commissioner for Human Rights / the President of the European Union, and to continue coordination with regional and international organizations, including the League of Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the African Union and the Non-Aligned Movement in order to take the necessary steps aiming to compel Israel to stop all its violations, attacks and crimes and to work to provide international protection for the Palestinian people;
20. Mandates the Secretary-General to follow up on the implementation of the present final communiqué and to report thereon to the next meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
