Islamabad (Web Desk) – Pakistan has affirmed its commitment to supporting peace in Gaza while clarifying that it will not participate in efforts to disarm Hamas, according to the Foreign Office (FO).
Speaking at a weekly briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that Prime Minister is currently in New York at the invitation of former U.S. President Donald Trump and will participate in the Gaza Board of Peace meeting today. The Prime Minister is also expected to hold meetings with senior U.S. officials.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is also in New York, Andrabi added. The Deputy Prime Minister held discussions with the Palestinian Permanent Representative and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Ahead of the Austria visit, telephonic consultations were conducted with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry.
Andrabi noted that the Prime Minister recently visited Vienna, Austria, at the invitation of Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, during which a joint statement was issued. He also met with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The FO spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan’s role in Gaza is strictly limited to promoting peace and supporting humanitarian initiatives. Pakistan will not participate in decisions against any specific group or organization. “We will engage in the peace process, but will not be involved in disarming Hamas,” Andrabi said, expressing hope that the Gaza Board of Peace will help alleviate the humanitarian challenges faced by the people of Gaza.
Additionally, Professor Ahsan Iqbal participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new Bangladeshi government. Andrabi noted that this week, Pakistan joined seven other Muslim-majority countries in strongly condemning the controversial Israeli law regarding annexation of parts of the West Bank.
He also commented on reports concerning the arrest of Indian national Nikheel Gupta, stating that there is evidence of terrorist groups in Pakistan operating with Indian backing. However, no decisions have been made regarding the deployment of international security assistance forces.
