ISLAMABAD
\nIsraeli illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are major hindrance on the way to resolution of Palestine issue.
\nThis was said by Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch in her weekly press briefing here Thursday.
\nPakistan is ardently desirous of ceasefire in Gaza, she said adding we want the supply of essential commodities to Gaza during ceasefire be ensured.
\nGaza is an occupied territory. Pakistan has serious reservations not only about Gaza but also about all occupied territories of Palestine.
\nPakistan has made a formal request to join BRICS, an important group of developing countries.
\nThe spokesperson said we have taken this decision after having noted the BRICS related developments in Johannesburg.
\nShe said by joining the organization, Pakistan can play an important role in furthering international cooperation and revitalization of inclusive multilateralism.
\nShe hoped that the BRICS will move forward on Pakistan\u2019s request in line with its commitment for inclusive multilateralism.
\nThe spokesperson said Pakistan enjoys friendly ties with most members of the BRICS as well as the newly invited group of countries.
\nMumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan is an ardent supporter of multilateralism and is member of several multilateral organizations. She said the country has played an important role for global peace and development.
\nWhen asked about the conspiracy foiled by the United States to assassinate a Sikh leader, the spokesperson recalled that Pakistan has long been a target of India\u2019s state sponsored terrorism, subversion and espionage.
\nShe said India\u2019s network of espionage and extra territorial killings has gone global. Condemning and expressing concerns over it, she said India\u2019s irresponsible and reckless conduct is a clear violation of international laws.
\nResponding to a question about the banning of Halal Food in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said this is yet another manifestation of increasing Islamophobia in India. She said the banning of Halal Food is affront to the rights and freedoms of Muslims in India.
\nTo a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan is concerned over the terror threat emanating from Afghanistan. She said we expect the Afghan authorities to take immediate action against the terrorist entities so that they do not pose any threat to us.
\nThe spokesperson said Pakistan supports the call for an international peace conference on Palestinian question.
\nShe said we believe that peace in the region can only be achieved with the implementation of the relevant UN resolutions calling for a two-state solution, culminating in a viable, sovereign and geographically-contiguous Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Israeli illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are major hindrance on the way to resolution of Palestine issue. This was said by Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch in her weekly press briefing here Thursday. Pakistan is ardently desirous of ceasefire in Gaza, she said adding we want the supply of essential commodities […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-369992","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n