KARACHI, Pakistan

Pakistan's interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday called upon the international community to hold Israel accountable for its "incessant and lethal" bombing of hospitals and innocent civilians in Gaza.

Addressing the16th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, Kakar observed that Tel Aviv's "deplorable" actions in Gaza demanded international condemnation.

“This issue needs to be addressed in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council and OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) resolutions,” he said.

He urged the ECO member states to "push for a ceasefire in Gaza, support the call for the provision of humanitarian assistance and rally efforts to hold Israel to account (for its actions)."

“Pharaoh on the advent of Moses’ birth killed children and now, unfortunately, the people who claim to be the followers of Moses are following the footpath of pharaoh,” he added.

Concerning the long-standing Kashmir dispute with archrival India, Kakar said the issue needs to be resolved in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions to ensure long-term peace in South Asia.

Mentioning the rising tide of Islamophobia, particularly in the West, he noted that growing intolerance, violence, and xenophobia are threatening the region and need to be addressed.

“I urge the ECO member states and the international community to work together to build political and legal deterrence against the rise of Islamophobia while fostering mutual respect, interfaith harmony and peaceful co-existence,” he stressed.

Earlier, Kakar met with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev to discuss a host of issues ranging from bilateral relations to global issues like Islamophobia and climate change.

“Constructive interaction with President of Azerbaijan on sidelines of ECO Summit 2023. Our trade, defense, and energy ties are growing,” he said in a post on X.

“Together, we address global issues like Islamophobia and climate change,” he added.