Pakistan condemns US' move to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Pakistan has condemned the United States' move to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"It is deeply regrettable that pleas from states across the globe not to alter the legal and historical status of Al Quds Al Sharif/ Jerusalem have been ignored, more out of choice than necessity," the Dawn quoted Pakistan Prime Minister Office, as saying, in a statement on Thursday.

The statement further said US President Donald Trump's decision represented a serious violation of international law and applicable United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Expressing its concerns, Pakistan also called upon the UN Security Council to take cognisance of this situation and take steps in accordance with the UN Charter.

The US has become the first country in the world to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In line with this announcement, the US is also shifting its embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city, again becoming the first country to take such a step.

With this step, Trump has fulfilled one of its campaign promises and reversed decades-long US policy on this matter.

Jerusalem is considered a sacred place, which is home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites. However, it is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.