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NEW YORK, (MANEND NEWS): United Nations Secretary General
António Guterres has expressed the hope that the announcement of
ceasefire in Gaza could help revive efforts for a negotiated settlement
of the Palestinian issue.
Talking to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in New York, he
welcomed the ceasefire announcement by Israel and Hamas.
The Foreign Minister underscored that his visit to New York to attend
the General Assembly session on Palestine was an expression of
Pakistan’s firm and unwavering support to the legitimate cause of the
Palestinian people for their right to self-determination.
The Foreign Minister also briefed the UN Secretary General on the
serious human rights and humanitarian situation in the Indian Illegally
Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including continued illegal incarceration
of the Kashmiri political leaders and extra-judicial killings.
He said Pakistan desired normal relations with India. However, the
onus was on India to take steps to create an enabling environment for
a meaningful engagement.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged the UN Secretary General to use his
good offices to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the
UN Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions.
Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted Pakistan’s constructive efforts to
facilitate the Afghan peace process, and expressed the hope that the
Afghan parties would seize the opportunity and reach an inclusive,
politically-negotiated settlement, resulting in lasting peace and
security in Afghanistan.
Expressing deep concern at the rising tide of intolerance,
discrimination, violence and Islamophobia against Muslims, he urged
the need for the relevant UN bodies to address this challenge.