Pakistan to Support Gaza Peace Efforts, Refuses Role in Disarming Hamas
Pakistan will play a role in efforts to promote peace in Gaza but will not be part of any initiative to disarm Hamas, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said on Thursday.
ISIAMABAD: (News Pulse) Foreign Office of Pakistan spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi has said that Pakistan will play a constructive role in promoting peace in Gaza but will not participate in any initiative aimed at disarming Hamas.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, Andrabi clarified that Pakistan’s involvement would remain limited to efforts focused on restoring peace and stability in Gaza, stressing that the country was not part of any decision targeting any group or organisation.
He added that Ishaq Dar, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, had already made it clear that Pakistan would contribute positively to the peace process but would not join any plan seeking the disarmament of Hamas. Dar expressed optimism that the proposed Gaza Board of Peace would help alleviate the hardships faced by the people of Gaza.
Responding to a question regarding reports of the arrest of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, Andrabi stated that Pakistan had taken note of the development and possessed evidence of India-backed terrorist groups operating within the country.
On Afghanistan, the spokesperson dismissed speculation regarding the International Security Assistance Force, stating that no decision had been taken in this regard.
Meanwhile, Ahsan Iqbal represented Pakistan at the oath-taking ceremony of the new government in Bangladesh.
Separately, Andrabi noted that eight Muslim countries, including Pakistan, strongly condemned Israel’s controversial law related to the annexation of the West Bank.
The spokesperson further informed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently in New York City on an official visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump, where he is expected to attend a meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace and hold discussions with senior US officials.
Andrabi added that Dar, who is also in New York, met the Palestinian Permanent Representative as well as Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during his visit.
Ahead of his visit to Austria, the Deputy Prime Minister also held separate telephone conversations with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Abdelatty to discuss regional developments.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Vienna at the invitation of Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. During the visit, he also met Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and a joint statement was issued at the conclusion of the trip.
