ISLAMABAD: Pakis­tan on Tuesday condem­ned in “strongest terms” the storm­ing of the Al Aqsa Mosque compound and the raising of Israel’s flag in its courtyard, terming the acts “reprehensible”.

The condemnation issued by the Foreign Office said “these reprehensible acts constitute a blatant violation of international law, as well as of the sanctity and inviolability of the holy site. Such provocative steps also risk further escalating tensions in the region”.

It stated that the acts of storming and the “raising of the occupying power’s flag” were carried out “by illegal Israeli settlers”.

“Pakistan calls for all possible measures to protect holy sites under Israeli occupation and to end the impunity of illegal settlers operating under its patronage,” the FO statement asserted.

It further stated: “Pakistan continues to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, reaffirms its unwavering support for their right to worship, and reiterates its support for the establishment of an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.”

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026

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