June 18, 2007	Monday	Jumadi-us-Sani 02, 1428

ISLAMABAD, June 17: The Foreign Office has expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office urged the Palestinian rival factions to exercise restraint. “Pakistan is deeply concerned over the internecine conflict in Gaza that has resulted in the tragic loss of scores of lives,” the statement said, adding: “Pakistan calls upon the Palestinian leadership to make renewed efforts to avert these negative developments by controlling the fratricidal fighting and joining hands to allow the Palestinian people a unified voice.”

The statement urged all sides in Palestine to respect the commitment to the Makkah agreement that had helped foster the establishment of the Palestinian national unity government, adding: “Pakistan urges the Palestinian factions to exercise restraint.

It urged all factions to resume reconciliation talks to settle their disputes. The statement added: “This is imperative for putting an end to the sufferings of the Palestinian people and for the revival of the peace process.”

The Foreign Office also expressed surprise over Britain’s decision to award ‘Knighthood’ to controversial author Salman Rushdie.

Reacting to the decision, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said: “We are surprised at the British government’s decision which is insensitive to the sentiments of Muslims.”

The spokesperson noted: “Salman Rushdie is someone who has tried to malign Islam and Muslims through his writings. This evoked a very strong reaction from Muslims around the world.”—Q.A.