RAWALPINDI: A special flight carrying the second consignment of relief goods from Pakistan for the people of occupied Gaza left from Islamabad airport on Tuesday.

The relief consignment consists of hygiene kits, me­dicines and food packages. The first relief consi­g­­nment was sent on Oct 19.

The flight was seen off at the airport by Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jila­­ni and Minister for Human Rights Khalil George on Tuesday. Palestinian Am­­b­­­assador in Islamabad Ahmad Jawad Rabei and senior officials of the Mi­­nistry of Foreign Affairs and National Disaster Management Authority were also present during the send-off at the airport.

Speaking on the occasion, the foreign minister expressed Pakistan’s full solidarity with the Palesti­nian brothers and sisters and condemned Israel’s brutal, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force against civilians, es­­pecially women and child­ren besieged in Gaza.

Mr Jilani underlined the urgency of bringing an immediate end to Israeli aggression and lifting of the siege of Gaza.

He called for upholding the principles of justice and humanity and facilitation of the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.

Kakar, Ashrafi discuss Gaza

Earlier, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar during a meeting with his Special Re­­pr­esentative for Religious Harmony and Pakistan diaspora in Middle East and Islamic Countries, Maulana Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi discussed the de­­teriorating situation in the Middle East and denou­n­ced the genocide and atr­o­cities in Gaza by Israeli forces.

PM Kakar highlighted the need for the international community to play an urgent role in stopping Israel’s aggression against Palestinians.

He also praised Mau­lana Ashrafi for his efforts for the welfare of Pakistanis residing in the Middle East and other Islamic countries.

At the meeting they also welcomed the upcoming meeting of the Orga­ni­sation of Islamic Coope­ration to be held in Jeddah on the deteriorating situation of Palestine.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2023