ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday underscored the need for coordinated efforts by Muslim countries to bring an end to the ongoing massacre and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

They called for joint efforts of Muslim Ummah during a telephonic conversation, says a press release issued by the Presidency here.

A senior official told Dawn that President Raisi had telephoned President Alvi.

During the telephone call that lasted almost 45 minutes, President Alvi voiced deep concern over the dire situation in the occupied Palestine including Gaza as a result of ongoing Israeli aggression and occupation.

He regretted that despite the deaths of over 19,000 Palestinians including women and children, the UN Security Council has failed to impose a ceasefire and bring an end to the unspeakable Israeli atrocities.

The president reiterated that a just solution to the Palestinian question based on an independent and contiguous Palestinian State with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital was critical for lasting peace in the Middle East.

Mr Alvi reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to all diplomatic initiatives to this end and appreciated Iran’s concerns and initiatives about the ongoing situation. He also appreciated the Iranian leadership for its principled stand on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and its support for the Palestinian cause.

The president conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the government and brotherly people of Iran over the heinous terrorist attack on an Iranian police station in Sistan Baluchestan on Dec 15 and expressed Pakistan’s resolve to work with Iran to combat terrorism.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral economic cooperation. President Alvi termed the joint inauguration of Mand-Pishin Border Sustenance Market place and Gabd-Polan Electricity Transmission Line as tangible developments that would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2023