ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that the people of Syria have the right to decide their future without any foreign interference or external imposition.
The comments by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch come as Syria grapples with the aftermath of the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad by rebels earlier this week.
After Assad was ousted from power by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies, Muhammad al-Bashir was appointed to head the country’s interim administration until March.
“We are following the developments in Syria and are concerned about the escalation of violence. We fully support the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria,” Baloch said during a weekly press briefing on Thursday.
Baloch said that Islamabad has always supported efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Syrian crisis.
Expressing Pakistan’s concern over Israeli aggression, illegal occupation and widespread destruction in Syria, Baloch said that this attack on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a grave violation of international law.
“We express our support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and reject Israel’s acquisition of territory by force. We reiterate our support for UN Security Council Resolution 497,” the spokesman said. which declares Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights null and void and without international legal effect.
475 Pakistanis crossed the Syrian border.
Regarding the repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Syria, the spokesman said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan’s missions in Syria and Lebanon are actively working to facilitate this process.
About 475 Pakistanis, including 250 pilgrims, have crossed the Syrian border and reached Lebanon. They will be transferred from Beirut to Islamabad. We appreciate the support extended by the Government of Lebanon in facilitating the safe return of stranded Pakistani nationals from Syria,” Baloch said.
Pakistan is concerned about the activities of terrorist groups.
The spokesman also spoke about Wednesday’s terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, saying Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed “shock” at the incident because “any terrorist attack with any motive will be condemned and Pakistan has clearly condemned all forms of terrorism.”
He reiterated that Pakistan is deeply concerned about the activities of terrorist groups threatening the lives of Pakistani people.
Terrorist groups seeking refuge in Afghanistan and operating against Pakistan are a cause of serious concern for Pakistan. This issue is on the agenda between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
We have always emphasized dialogue to resolve issues, and we hope that we will be able to ensure that these terrorist groups do not pose a threat to Pakistan’s security,” the spokesman said. remarked.
Asked about Pakistan’s involvement with the upcoming US administration on the issue of terrorism, he said that it is in mutual interest to continue dialogue and cooperation on issues related to terrorism and international organized crime. This is Pakistan’s priority in relations with the US and other friendly countries.