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Mr. President,
Excellencies,
It is, indeed, an honour for me to address the meeting of the OIC Committee on
Palestine. The Committee provides an important forum to take stock of the
situation in the holy land and consider the road ahead.
2. In the last one year, the situation in the occupied Palestine has further
deteriorated. Over 3500 Palestinians have been martyred since the inception of
Intifada in 2000. Still Israel refuses to abandon its official policy of human
rights violations and economic exclusion of the Palestinian population. The
construction of the Separation Wall is continuing in defiance of an outraged
international public opinion as well as the Advisory Opinion of the
International Court of Justice (ICJ). It is a gross violation of international
human rights and humanitarian law.
3. In order to avoid international criticism on its repressive policies, the
Sharon government proposed a unilateral “Disengagement Plan” from Gaza. So far,
Israel has failed to make good on its promise to withdraw from Gaza. However, it
continues to implement its plans to expand the current illegal settlements in
the West Bank.
4. The international community particularly the OIC members had supported the
Quartet Roadmap last year because it envisaged the establishment of an
independent Palestinian state in 2005. Israel reluctantly accepted the Roadmap
and subsequently avoided its obligations under it to delay the achievement of
the Roadmap’s various key goalposts. In order to create difficulties for the
Palestinian Authority, it systematically destroyed their security structure and
at the same time held them responsible for their inability to control violence.
Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
5. Our Palestinian brothers and sisters are passing through the most daunting
phase of their struggle. At this critical juncture of their history, they need
our full support and assistance. The Organization of the Islamic Conference has
a special responsibility towards them. The Palestinian cause, the liberation of
Al-Quds Al-Sharif, restoration of its status as the Capital of the Independent
State of Palestine and the end of Israeli occupation from all occupied
territories, are the primary objectives of the OIC since its inception.
6. The Committee on Palestine should play a proactive role in highlighting the
problems being faced by the Palestinians and urging the relevant international
bodies to fulfill their responsibilities in accordance with the United Nations
Charter and other relevant international legal instruments including the Fourth
Geneva Convention of 1949. The Committee should frequently meet with the Quartet
members to convey our concerns regarding the on-ground situation. The Quartet
should be urged to seek relief for the Palestinian people by ensuring following
five measures:
· Immediate and unconditional withdrawal from Gaza Strip;
· Dismantling of Separation Wall;
· Immediate dismantling of illegal settlements;
· Immediate end of the policy of econo9mic closures;
· Immediate end of the policy of Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians.
7. Pakistan accords utmost importance to the right of self-determination of the
Muslim people all over the world. As part of its contribution to the Palestinian
struggle, Pakistan played a leading role in upholding the Palestinian rights at
all international for a including the Security Council. Our association with the
Palestinian struggle is a matter of pride for the Government and people of
Pakistan. I take this opportunity to reaffirm that Pakistan will remain
steadfast in its traditional, material, diplomatic and political support to the
Palestinian struggle.
I thank you, Mr. President.