Pakistan reiterates support for independent Palestine, calls for end to Gaza violence

Speaking about the R4 foreign ministers' meeting held in Istanbul, the spokesperson said discussions covered the situations in Palestine and Yemen, tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the participating countries called for an immediate end to violence in Gaza and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. The spokesperson also condemned Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in Yemen and the Red Sea, expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy were essential to resolving regional conflicts. Pakistan also welcomed ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, and called for the restoration of safe and uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Sajjad Haider Khan further said that on October 23, R4 foreign ministers met their counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom in Istanbul to discuss key regional and international challenges.

Separately, Pakistan expressed condolences to the government and people of Jordan over the loss of lives, extending sympathies to the bereaved families and wishing those injured a speedy recovery. It also reaffirmed its solidarity with Jordan in the fight against terrorism.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan strongly condemned Houthi ballistic missile attacks on Saudi Arabia's Makkah and Madinah regions on October 26. He described the attacks near Islam's holiest sites as a serious violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that they disregarded the sanctity of the holy places and the security of civilians.

Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its commitment to the Makkah Alliance for Defence, reiterating its resolve to protect the Holy Kaaba and Masjid-e-Nabawi against external aggression and threats.