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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday condemned Israel’s move to annex the occupied West Bank, calling it a “flagrant violation” of international law, barely a week after US President Donald Trump pushed through a deal aimed at ending a two-year Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli lawmakers voted on Wednesday to advance two bills to extend Israeli sovereignty over parts of the occupied territory, prompting a wave of international criticism, including from Washington, a longtime ally of Israel.

Pakistan’s foreign office urged the global community to play its role in halting the “illegal actions” by the Israeli administration.

“Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s attempt to extend its so-called ‘sovereignty’ over parts of the Occupied West Bank, including illegal Israeli settlements, through a draft law introduced in the legislature of the occupying power,” the foreign office said in a statement. “These actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.”

The statement said such provocative measures could undermine ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.

It called on the international community to take “urgent and decisive action” to stop these steps and hold Israeli forces accountable for “continued violations of international law.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also warned Israel against pursuing annexation, saying moves by its parliament and rising settler violence in the West Bank threatened the fragile Gaza peace deal.

“I think the president [Trump] has made clear that’s not something we can be supportive of right now,” he told reporters before departing for Israel.

“Annexation moves are threatening for the peace deal.”

The US remains Israel’s primary military and diplomatic backer, but Washington’s efforts to rally Arab and Muslim partners to fund and staff a Gaza stabilization force have faced pushback amid growing regional anger over annexation efforts.

With input from AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ali Pervez Malik highlighted investment opportunities in the country’s mineral sector, said an official statement on Thursday, as he met officials from ����ֱ��, Sweden and France on the sidelines of a major international conference in Sydney, Australia.

The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2025, one of the world’s largest gatherings for the global mining, resources and energy industries, brings together government leaders, investors and companies to explore partnerships and sustainable development opportunities.

Mining and minerals have emerged as priority sectors for Pakistan as the government seeks to attract international companies under its broader strategy of shifting toward export-led growth.

Malik used the forum to promote Pakistan’s mineral potential and while specifically urging Saudi entrepreneurs to explore the area.

“����ֱ�� and Pakistan share a long-standing friendship and a bond of sincere goodwill,” he said after meeting Saudi Vice Minister for Industry and Mineral Resources Engineer Khalid Al-Mudaifer, according to the statement.

“We welcome Saudi investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral and mining sectors.”

In separate meetings, Malik interacted with Sweden’s State Secretary for International Development Diana Jansse and France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals and Metals Supply Benjamin Gallezot, with discussions focused on cooperation and potential investment in Pakistan’s mining value chain.

Pakistan is believed to hold untapped mineral reserves worth around $6 trillion, including copper, gold, lithium, coal, rock salt and iron ore.

Despite this, the mineral sector contributes only about 3.2 percent to national GDP, and mineral exports account for less than 0.1 percent of global trade in those commodities.

Malik also met World Bank Operations Manager for the Pacific Region Naveed Naqvi at the Pakistani Consulate in Sydney and later held talks with members of the Pakistani business community based in Australia.

He said Pakistan’s recent policy reforms and improvements in its credit ratings reflected growing confidence in the country’s economic direction.

“Overseas Pakistanis have always played an important role in strengthening the national economy,” he added.