ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has condemned as an “unprecedented act of lawlessness” the detention by the Israeli Government of two Algerian officials, who were arrested at Tel Aviv airport while passing through Israel in a British airliner.

In a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General U Thant, released to the press here today [Sept 14], the Government of Pakistan said:

“The continued detention of two highly placed Algerian officials has caused grave concern to the Government of Pakistan. This act of the Israeli Government is clearly against all moral as well as legal principles that govern the conduct of governments in respect of international civil aviation and is, therefore, condemnable.

“The Government of Pakistan supports the efforts of some Governments as well as those of your own to secure the release of the victims of this unprecedented act of lawlessness and is itself contributing to its share of those efforts.”

An official statement issued here said the British Government has also been apprised of Pakistan’s concern. ... According to the statement, Britain has been requested to take all measures that will lead to the earliest possible release of the arrested Algerians. — Agency

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2020