ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Thursday urged the international community to take immediate and effective measures to halt the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.

In connection with Al-Quds Day, the speaker said the day serves as an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment to supporting the oppressed Palestinians and the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“Al-Quds Day is a Day of Solidarity with the Oppressed Palestinian People,” he said in a statement.

The speaker reiterated that parliament and people of Pakistan fully supported the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and freedom. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled stance on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

He stressed that resolution of the Palestinian issue in accordance with the United Nations resolutions was essential for achieving lasting peace in the region. He said the parliament of Pakistan had unanimously passed multiple resolutions condemning Israeli aggression against Palestinian civilians and the illegal occupation of their land. Pakistan has actively raised the issue of Palestine at all international and regional parliamentary forums.

Speaker Sadiq reiterated the unwavering commitment of Pakistan’s parliament to supporting the Palestinian people’s freedom and sovereignty.

Condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestine, he said since October 27, 2023, more than 50,000 Palestinians, including a significant number of children, women and the elderly, had been martyred due to Israeli fascism and brutality. He denounced Israel’s continued aggression and human rights violations despite the call for a ceasefire.

He said the killing of Palestinians through Israeli airstrikes and the destruction of Palestine’s essential infrastructure constituted a blatant violation of international law.

He urged the international community to take decisive action to halt Israeli aggression and protect the rights of the Palestinian people. He also called on the international community, particularly the United Nations and human rights organisations, to ensure the immediate provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians and concrete steps to stop Israeli atrocities.

On Deputy Speaker National Assembly Syed Mir Ghulam Mustafa Shah said the sacrifices of the Palestinians would not go in vain and that their struggle for freedom would ultimately succeed. He condemned Israel’s ongoing aggression and blatant human rights violations despite repeated calls for a ceasefire. He remarked that the relentless bombardment, indiscriminate killings and destruction of critical Palestinian infrastructure constituted grave breaches of international law.

Mr Shah implored the international community to take immediate and concrete steps to put an end to Israeli hostilities and uphold the rights of the Palestinian people. He said inaction in the face of the escalating humanitarian catastrophe amounted to sheer negligence. He added that even in the holy month of Ramazan Palestinians continued to endure severe shortages of essential necessities, including food and medical supplies. He said Israel’s aggression had also left hospitals, shelters and fundamental infrastructure in ruins.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2025