Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas unveiling the plaque of the foundation of the Embassy of the state of Palestine in Islamabad. PHOTO: ONLINE
Criticising Western nations for “turning a blind eye towards the atrocities of Israeli forces”, Pakistan on Sunday warned that new “illegal settlements” being built by Tel Aviv in the Palestinian territory would deal a “death blow” to the proposed two-state solution.
Speaking at a luncheon meeting with visiting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, President Asif Ali Zardari urged the international community to stop Israel from building “illegal settlements in the occupied territory”.
“It is the saddest day that champions of justice and human rights do nothing but watch,” Zardari said referring to the West, particularly the United States, for supporting Israel despite the Jewish state’s building of illegal settlements in east and south of Jerusalem.
The president termed Tel Aviv’s complete disregard for international law a “slap in the face of the international community”.
Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering support” to the Palestinian people till the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Expressing his joy over recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state by the UN, Zardari hoped that it would prove to be a major stepping stone to Palestine’s full membership of the UN.
He denounced Israel for its opposition to the non-member observer state status for Palestine and voiced concerns over “mocking of the UN by Israel”.
In his address, Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas thanked Pakistan for supporting Palestine to win recognition of non-member status by the United Nations. He urged Israel to stop illegal settlements and end occupation of Palestinian land for peace and security in the region.
Abbas said Palestinians were ready to give peace a chance despite Israeli atrocities. “We reiterate that our priority is to continue working hard and relentlessly to achieve our right to freedom and independence ending the accumulating suffering of our refugees through 65 years of homelessness,” he added.
The two leaders held detailed discussions on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interests.
Earlier, on his arrival at the Presidency, President Abbas was received by President Asif Zardari and Premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
The two leaders also unveiled the plaque of the foundation of the Embassy of the state of Palestine in Islamabad.
Joint commission
Pakistan and Palestine also agreed to set up a joint ministerial commission to expand the existing political cooperation into other areas, including economy, agriculture, banking, education and social and cultural sectors.
The joint commission, to be headed by the foreign ministers of the two countries, would begin its work soon, presidential spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said in a statement. He added that the president offered a grant of $1 million for construction of Palestine’s Embassy in Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2013.
COMMENTS (16)
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awwwhhh, when our home burns with fire of sectarian violence , we are busy in telling world what it should do to bring Religious harmony in world. From now on, i hope Kashmiri people will remain happy in a secular India.
@Momin: By the way, shouldn't Pakistan's armed forces warm up first by declaring war on India and liberating Kashmir??? Then PIA can fly the victorious forces to invade and defeat Israel!!
"Unwavering" support for the Palestinians! As for minorities in Pakistan (and the daily "atrocities" committed against them)! No support whatsoever!
Stop paying lip service to other causes and first provide protection to your own countrymen.
It is a shame that Pakistan being the leader of the ummah is not able to do more for the Palestinians. It is time for Pakistan to declare war on Israel and liberate the Palestinians. Inshallah, one day it will happen.
Are Pakistanis aware of 15,000 missing people in Balochistan? What about Pakistani settlements in Hazara areas?
With the answers to the above two questions in mind, is Palestine more a business of Pakistan then the rights of the ordinary Pakistanis like Hazaras and Balochis? Ans: NO...
Never mind the fact that Talibani settlements are jeopardising the one state solution of Pakistan itself.
The head of a near-failed state empathising with the head of a yet-to-form state !!! Its quite comical that any leader of Pakistan in these times is audacious enough to lecture anyone else on human rights, international law, peace and religious harmony !
Today israel, Tomorrow rohingya muslim, Day after there is always Kashmir.!!!!
It seems President is least bothered about what happens to Pakistani hazras under his watch.
Nathan
"He added that the president offered a grant of $1 million for construction of Palestine’s Embassy in Islamabad."
Does he know how much cement costs these days ?
Pakistan should vehemently support the Kashmir, Rohingya, Palestine and other causes.
Pakistan should spend billions of dollars on these causes.
Hope that will expedite the disintegration of Pakistan.
Considering Palestine is Israel obsessed with all their issues, of course there will be full agreement and stated support of their issues from any country that states Islam as one of their founding principles. Otherwise it means being seen in public implying something slightly positive in regard to Israel and that's looked at about the same as blasphemy.
Two leaders have much in common. Neither actually has control over significant portion of lands they hold out as sovereign, neither are held in high esteem by their own populace, neither are trusted by their neighbors, and both spend much of their time requesting money from the rest of the World.
Its high time Pakistan should look after its own citizens who are being killed by the dozens on the daily basis by drones, bomb blasts, target killings etc and stop crying about Palestinians, Kashmiris, Caucasians, Bosnians, Martians etc.
Pakistan cares about Palestinians and turns a blind eye on Pakistani Hazara Shias, Pakistani Hindus, Pakistani Christians & Pakistani Ahmadis. Palestinians and other Arabs don't even consider Pakistanis as "real" Muslim. And look how Pakistanis are treated in those arrogant Arab states. Pakistan should stay away from Arabs.