ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan held a telephone conversation withthe President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi onWednesday.

The premier appreciated the important role played by Egypt and itsleadership for cessation of hostilities in Palestine.

Condemning strongly the Israeli aggression against innocent Palestinians,especially women and children, and the sacrilege of Al-Aqsa Mosque duringthe holy month of Ramadan, the Prime Minister stressed the importance ofthe early and just resolution of the Palestine issue.

He termed the current situation in Gaza as Palestinians living in “openprison”.

In this regard, the Prime Minister called for total withdrawal of Israeliforces from Occupied Palestinian Territories including Jerusalem;restitution of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people includingtheir right to self-determination and the right of return to Palestine andthe establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous PalestinianState, as part of a two-state solution, with pre-1967 borders, with Al-QudsAl-Sharif as its capital.

He also laid emphasis on the importance of solidarity among the MuslimUmmah, and adopting a collective approach especially through the OICplatform, for safeguarding the rights of Muslims, particularly those livingunder foreign occupation.

Outlining the recent efforts made by Pakistan in amplifying the voice ofthe Palestinian people, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued support for thejust settlement of the Palestinian issue.

President Sisi invited the Prime Minister to visit Egypt, while the PrimeMinister renewed his invitation to President Sisi to visit Pakistan.

It was agreed to continue with the momentum of high-level exchanges tofurther strengthen bilateral political and economic ties between the twocountries.