The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday condemned US President Donald Trump\u2019s \u201cdeeply troubling and unjust\u201d remarks that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians were resettled elsewhere. Trump unveiled his surprise plan, without providing specifics, at a joint press conference on Tuesday with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan envisions the US taking over Gaza, resettling Palestinians in other countries \u2014 seemingly whether they wanted to leave or not \u2014 and turning the territory into \u201cthe Riviera of the Middle East. The world reacted with derision and insisted upon the creation of a Palestinian state following the shock announcement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified today that Trump\u2019s proposal to resettle Gaza\u2019s population would only be temporary, according to the BBC. Trump, however, had said on Tuesday the displacement would be permanent. Reacting to the development, the FO said in a press release issued today: \u201cThe proposal to displace the people of Gaza is deeply troubling and unjust. The Palestinian land belongs to the Palestinian people and the only viable and just option is the two-state solution, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.\u201d The FO said Pakistan would continue to stand by the people of Palestine in their \u201cjust struggle for self-determination\u201d, as well as for the establishment of a sovereign, independent and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. \u201cAny attempts to displace the Palestinians from their land as well as to continue illegal settlements would be a blatant violation of the international law, and undermine the peace and security of the entire region. \u201cPakistan reiterates its call for the return of all displaced Palestinians to their homes, including in Gaza; complete withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the occupied territories, upscaling of the humanitarian assistance and end to all obstructions, as well as concerted international efforts for the early reconstruction of Gaza,\u201d the FO said. In his weekly press briefing, FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan condemned Israel\u2019s undue restrictions impeding the flow of aid, shelters and necessary medical equipment to Gaza in violation of the ceasefire deal. \u201cAmidst dire humanitarian needs, Israel\u2019s undue restrictions are an outright violation of the ceasefire agreement, and it will have dangerous and unprecedented implications for the entire region.\u201d Pakistan called on the international community to ensure that the ceasefire agreement was honoured and to \u201chold Israel accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity\u201d. The FO spokesperson called for enhanced and unhindered humanitarian assistance to those in urgent need, the opening of all access points of supply to Gaza and for allowing all UN and international agencies, including UNRWA, to operate fully in Gaza. Pakistanis stranded in Congo amid ongoing conflict The FO noted that approximately 150 Pakistanis were previously stranded in Goma due to the escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. \u201cWith the active engagement of Pakistan\u2019s High Commissioner, the Rwandan authorities have allowed the entry of stranded Pakistanis into Rwanda,\u201d the FO said, adding that it was expected that more Pakistanis would cross the Rwandan border in the coming days. Last week, the FO confirmed that 75 Pakistanis had been moved to Rwanda amid the conflict. \u201cThe high commission is also reaching out to Pakistanis in the border city of Bukavu. Details of our high commission have already been shared in our last week\u2019s press release for any affected Pakistani, requiring assistance from the mission,\u201d the FO added. Condolences on death of Prince Karim The FO spokesperson also offered condolences at the demise of Prince Karim Al-Husseini, Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community who died in Lisbon at the age of 88. \u201cPrince Karim Aga Khan played an important role in the betterment of communities worldwide. His services for the welfare of the people will always be remembered,\u201d the FO spokesperson said. Prince Karim was succeeded by his son Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, who was named the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community on Wednesday. The FO spokesperson clarified that the ministry did not arrange a trip for former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is in the US to attend the National Prayer Breakfast, an annual gathering that brings together hundreds of influential figures from around the world. \u201cHis party\u2019s spokesperson can tell you better about the visit,\u201d the spokesperson said. He confirmed that Pakistan had handed over to Afghan authorities the body of the son of the deputy governor of Badghis province who was among four terrorists killed during a counterterrorism operation last week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. \u201cThe government and people of Pakistan yesterday observed the \u2018Kashmir Solidarity Day\u2019, and expressed their resolve to stand with the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for the realisation of their right to self-determination,\u201d the spokesperson said. He further noted that Dr Aafia Siddiqui\u2019s mercy appeal to former US president Biden was rejected. \u201cThe US Department of Justice has closed the case after the appeal was rejected. Dr Aafia Siddiqui can now appeal for new mercy through her lawyers at any time in the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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