Dar departs for ministerial meeting in Jordan on deteriorating situation in occupied Jerusalem: FO

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar traveled to Jordan on Tuesday to participate in a ministerial meeting addressing the worsening conditions in occupied Jerusalem. The Foreign Office (FO) revealed that Dar had arrived in Amman, Jordan, with the aim of strengthening Pakistan's solidarity with the Palestinian people and their struggle.

A ministerial gathering of foreign ministers from Arab League member states and various Islamic countries was scheduled to take place on August 5th, where discussions would revolve around the region's deteriorating situation. The assembled ministers would also visit King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, the King of Jordan, during their stay.

Furthermore, Dar was expected to engage in private discussions with counterpart ministers, focusing on the humanitarian predicament in Palestine. The FO emphasized that Dar's attendance symbolized Pakistan's principled backing for the Palestinian people and their aspiration for an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif serving as its capital.

Pakistan and numerous Muslim nations have consistently condemned the continuous incursions of extremist Israeli settlers into Al Aqsa Mosque, situated in East Jerusalem. This site, captured by Israel in 1967 and annexed later, holds immense significance for Muslims as their third holiest place. Israel claims to abide by existing arrangements, allowing Jewish visitors to enter the compound without permission to pray, a stance contested by Palestinians who fear the erosion of the status quo.

In June, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and eight other Muslim countries unequivocally rejected any attempts to modify the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its revered Islamic and Christian holy sites.