Pakistan has reaffirmed its condemnation of Israeli airstrikes and reiterated its support for the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.

During a weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and praised the United Nations General Assembly for endorsing the ICJ’s opinion, co-sponsored by Pakistan. The resolution, presented by the State of Palestine, underscores the urgent need for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

Israel, disregarding a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire, has faced widespread international condemnation for its continued offensive in Gaza since a Hamas attack on October 7 last year. The ongoing Israeli assault has resulted in the deaths of more than 41,000 people, primarily women and children, and over 93,000 injuries, according to local health authorities.

Over 11 months of bombardment have left large parts of Gaza in ruins, exacerbated by a severe blockade that has cut off access to food, clean water, and medical supplies. Israel stands accused of genocide at the ICJ, which has ordered the immediate cessation of its military operation in Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians sought refuge before the city was invaded on May 6.

On the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Pakistan strongly condemned what it described as a “farcical” local government election staged by New Delhi’s forces in the region. Pakistan asserted that any electoral process conducted under India’s supervision holds no legal validity under international law. The government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people politically, diplomatically, and morally in their struggle for self-determination.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the 79th UN General Assembly

The Foreign Office spokesperson also announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will participate in the high-level session of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York from September 23 to 27. In his address, Sharif will reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and support for UN efforts to promote global peace and security. His speech is expected to focus on key global issues, including the Palestinian and Jammu and Kashmir conflicts.

The Prime Minister’s agenda includes meetings on climate change and discussions on leadership for peace, alongside bilateral talks with world leaders, the UN Secretary-General, and the President of the UN General Assembly. Additionally, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will attend the Summit of the Future, organized by the UN Secretary-General, along with other ministerial meetings, including the OIC Annual Coordination Meeting and the G77 Ministerial Meeting.

Pakistan-US dialogues and condemnation of terrorism in Lebanon

This week, Pakistan engaged in diplomatic discussions with the United States, where Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass and Principal Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Hearst met with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Iqbal. The talks covered trade, energy, security, climate change, and counter-terrorism.

Pakistan also condemned recent terror attacks in Lebanon, involving electronic devices used to cause explosions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that terrorism in any form is unacceptable, extending condolences to the victims’ families and the Lebanese government. Baloch urged international action to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law, particularly regarding Israeli airstrikes that targeted a UNRWA-run school in Gaza.

Pakistan hosts high-level Russian delegation amid strengthening bilateral ties

A high-level Russian delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, is currently visiting Pakistan to enhance bilateral cooperation. The delegation met with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Iqbal to discuss trade, industry, energy, science, technology, and education. Both countries committed to ongoing collaboration at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

This visit aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of strengthening Pakistan-Russia relations into a robust economic partnership, as shared with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the visit, Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange and the St. Petersburg International Mercantile Exchange to deepen economic ties. Additionally, Pakistan signed an agreement on creating international transport corridors involving Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.