UNGA President, FM, discuss Kashmir, Palestine disputes besides Afghan peace process

Islamabad- Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Thursday that establishing peace in the Middle East without resolving the Palestine issue on a permanent basis was impossible

The Foreign Minister stated that a ceasefire was the first step towards stopping Israeli atrocities, adding that the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions was the only just solution to the issues of Palestine and Kashmir.

The Foreign Minister’s remarks came during a meeting with United Nations General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Welcoming the UNGA President, who arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit yesterday, the Foreign Minister appreciated the President’s efforts to convene an emergency session of the General Assembly on Palestine.

Similarly, the Foreign Minister maintained that there could be no peace in South Asia either unless the Kashmir issue was resolved. He said Pakistan wanted peace in Afghanistan and intended to continue playing a conciliatory role in the Afghan peace process. The Foreign Minister appreciated the UNGA president’s ‘Vaccine for All’ initiative, adding that it was necessary to make everyone safe if the pandemic had to be overcome. UNGA President Volkan Bozkir also lauded FM Qureshi’s efforts in highlighting the issue of Palestine. Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood was also present at the meeting. President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Volkan Bozkir has called upon India and Pakistan to pursue the path for peaceful resolution of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at the National Defence University Islamabad on Thursday, he said peace, stability and prosperity hinges on normalization of relations between Pakistan and India, which is possible by finding the two countries resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

The President said he has encouraged all the parties to refrain from changing the status of the disputed territory. Talking about Palestine issue, he stressed the need for swift return to negotiations with a goal of ending the occupation. He said Palestinians should be given their right to have their own independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Regarding peace in Afghanistan, Volkan Bozkir peace in Afghanistan is imperative for stability in Afghanistan. He said Afghan peace process should be Afghan owned and Afghan led. He also appreciated Pakistan’s role in the peace process in Afghanistan.

The UNGA President also appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in containing the COVID-19 pandemic.