Islamabad (Agencies): Pakistan strongly condemns US President Donald Trump’s move to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, voicing its concern "over the implications of this decision for international peace and security, especially in the Middle East’, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
Trump recognised late Wednesday the disputed city as Israel's capital — a historic decision that overturns decades of American policy and risks triggering a fresh wave of violence in the Middle East.
“I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,” Trump said from the White House.
“It's the right thing to do.”
The Pakistani Foreign Office went on to say the nation "joins the international community in expressing its strong opposition and condemnation" at the risky move.
The fact that pleas from around the world were ignored — "more out of choice than necessity" — by the American head of state "is deeply regrettable".
Calling it "a serious violation of international law" and United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) resolutions, Pakistan said that Trump's decision was "a serious setback to the rule of law and international norms" and "a severe blow to the Middle East peace process".
"Pakistan calls upon the [UNSC] to take cognizance of this situation and take steps in accordance with the UN Charter.
"Pakistan urges the United States to revisit its decision as soon as possible in order to avoid the potentially grave repercussions in the region and beyond.
The Pakistani government welcomed Turkey's announcement to convene an extraordinary summit of Muslim countries next week to talk about the matter.