The government of Pakistan had pledged the grant while visiting Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas. PHOTO: FILE
A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs read that Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani had presented a cheque to Palestinian Ambassador Walid Abu Ali.
The funds had been promised by Pakistan when then President Zardari met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his visit to Pakistan in February 2013.
Speaking on the occasion, the foreign secretary said that Pakistan had always supported the Palestine cause and the grant was one of the many gestures presented by Pakistan to express their solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Last year, the UN General Assembly passed a motion that granted Palestine a non-member observer state, a step short of full member status. Only 133 of the 193 member states of the UN recognise the State of Palestine.
COMMENTS (83)
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@Talha: These Indian trolls suffer from an obsessive personality. When someone does not believe as they do, they will go to any length to abuse, defame, and insult them. Pakistan is an obsession which is suffered by these mental cases for 66 years. They can't tolerate it. There are many reasons, but to name a few: Inferiority complex to Pakistani people, hatred of the Islamic religion, not being able to tolerate an Independent Muslim nation, and most of all they can't stand that Pakistan is able to stop a neighbor 6 times its size on the battlefield on equal (and oftentimes superior) footing.
Also, congratulations to our Palestinian brothers for their new embassy in Islamabad. Never forget that every single Pakistani soul yearns for the day Palestine, Kashmir, and all occupied Muslim lands are liberated from foreign occupation.
@Talha Rizvi: The reason we see hordes of Indians commenting here is because of the intrigue and curiosity, coupled with love/hate thy neighbor type mindset the neighbors held for Pakistan. Also E.T focuses on south Asia, notwithstanding it's local online newspaper. Though I find it engaging, interesting and a sort of a dialogue to see the neighbors here. This is what free media with access from different people is all about. nothing sells like India-Pakistan rivalry.
Now India should show the same gesture and build a Kashmiri, Khalistani and a Maoist Embassy in Neu Delhi!
@Water Bottle: That was my point you don't need to worry about Pakistan. We know how to take care of ourselves. Whether this decision is important or not the INDIANS HAVE NO RIGHT TO ADVICE US. @1984: What about Indian,raj,Lalakimaa,pakimujahid,lalamujahid etc. I suppose they all right songs of peace and love. Have you ever spared a thought about the Pakistani victims of suicide bombings who you guys mock regularly. Even people dying in floods and Earthquakes are not spared. If you accept civility then learn to be civil to others. I have seen very few Pakistani comment on TOI and those they do are abused by Indians as a whole body. On the other hand the Indians go overboard in abusing Pakistan.
@Water Bottle: Is this the fabricated history they teach you in your schools? Exactly the mirror opposite of the truth! No wonder these you people are such good liars, taught to do so from infancy.
@Talha Rizvi:
So dont you guys come to TOI and write all kinds of rubbish because TOI has weak moderation which u can pass if you just misspell few words??? Same with youtube too before it was banned in your country,you guys didnt even spare music videos
I write in ET which has a human moderator and examines every comment before publishing ...Also,I'm able to access your paper from my country....
If you have any problem,then write to Express Tribune to block all Indian IPs to access their sites or ask their moderation team to block the comments of Indians....
Or do the easier thing ,go to TOI and abuse Indians as much as you want....
@Talha Rizvi:
"Go to TOI trolls there you can say as much as rubbish about Pakistan but leave us alone."
This is a good piece of advice. But think about what you are saying.
You waged four wars on India, carried out several terrorist attacks.
Now, you are angry that we are writing comments?
Where's the justice, brother?
It's like a mighty elephant comparing itself to a puny deer. You know the elephant being you.
@Talha Rizvi:
"You were shouting like hysterical madmen on Erum sheikh’s blog but yet have the audacity to criticize us on an internal matter of Pakistan."
You probably did not read my comment. I did not criticize Pakistan.
I asked a genuine question. Shouldn't Pakistan build a consulate for Kashmir if it is fighting for Kashmir's independence?
You know, like a symbol. Like a statement.
The world should know that Pakistan is serious in Kashmir's independence. Wouldn't you agree?
I'm in favor of full diplomatic relations with Israel rather than Palestine. It has nothing to do with religion. Period
@Reader: @anon: @binger: @Water Bottle: @Troll: @p r sharma: @Observer: @1984: @Aakashvaani: @darbullah: @raj: @Indian: Is this any of your business? The Indians have broken all records of unacceptable behavior here. You were shouting like hysterical madmen on Erum sheikh's blog but yet have the audacity to criticize us on an internal matter of Pakistan. The Indians should be banned from this site. Go to TOI trolls there you can say as much as rubbish about Pakistan but leave us alone. @M.Emad: Your hatred of Pakistan has led you to be a compulsive liar. By the way what about the hundreds of thousands of Urdu-speakers you Bengalis killed in cold blood?
India should provide aid to open the embassy of Baluchistan, Sindh and Pakhtoonistan.
@1984: Yes, we did ask other countries, and they said: INDIA!
@M. Emad: Pakistan Army did not kill anyone in Jordan, it was not even there. Only a few officers were deputed to the Jordanian Armed forces. In East Paksitan it killed Indain backed terrorists, and if it had been in thousands then there would be no Bangladesh today. There already is a Bangladesh embassy in Islamabad, so keep your ignorance and propaganda to yourself.
Love it how the gov't goes on spending my tax money on frivolous expenses and solving the problems of other nations while my country is being overlooked and destroyed. Not to mention by selfish self preserving idiots whom themselves don't pay any taxes!
We need make sure all the money is well spent not to payoff bribes for building contractors.
@Raj: Great comment my man.....hahaha
@sukwinder Singh We actually very much appreciate the Indian comments here. They are welcome. We learn from Indians. This is from a Pakistani!
@Sukhwinder Singh (Sahib): If you are an Indian ,then I'm a Kryptonian!!!!
And also TTP's office. Good things are happening to Pakistan.
Don't these Yndians have better to do than to troll Pakistani websites? They are unwanted guests. Showing themselves to resolve their various complexes. They will even barge their noses in issues where they are not even involved.
Wow, the Hindutva-vadi comment brigade really needs to get a life! Focus on your own problems (army's atrocities in Kashmir, repression of Sikhs and Muslims, state-corporate abuse of tribal land and property, etc.). Stop trolling foreign sites and fix your own country which is just as messed up as Pakistan!
By the way, this is coming from an Indian! :)
So where will embassy of Emirate of Waziristan be located in Islamabad ?
@waleed:
"let me remind you that Palestine is a Muslim land FORCEFULLY OCCUPIED by an aggressor state/community and which is killing people as if they are nothing but a liability"
Very noble sentiments indeed. Now, how about giving citizenship and spending that money to construct shelters in Pakistan for the Rhingya Muslims and the Behari Pakistani Muslims rotting in Bangladesh refugee camps for over 42 years?
Wouldn't that be a better use of Pakistan's resources for a worthy Muslim cause?
@Water Bottle:
"When will Pakistan build Kashmir embassy in Islamabad?"
Now, that is a very interesting question. Pakistan has been claiming that Azad Kashmir is a free nation and the whole of Kasmir (including Indian portion, GB and northern areas) should be a free country. Pakistan has been demanding right to self-determination.
What would be a better way to show Pakistan really cares for the freedom of Kashmirs than declaring the the areas it occupies are truly independent and free and allow areas under its control (AJK, GB and Northern areas) to become a free country?
To show its sincerity of Pakistan for the freedom of Kashmiris, the Pak Establishment should build an embassy for the new "Free Kashmir" in Islamabad and campaign UN to declare it as a free and sovereign nation. Of course, before all that, it should withdraw the Pak settlers and Pak army stationed there.
Indian economy is not doing good, of late. GDP growth rate has slipped to 4 %, same as of Pakistan. According to stats quoted by TOI, nearly 30 million Indians are unemployed, 26 million are officially underemployed, 40 million want additional work and 35 million are looking for a better job -- and most folks consider those figures to be gross understatements.
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/america-the-gutted/india-unemployment-reality
@saad: So the paint body workshops are called defense equipments factories in Pakistan. Hmm good.
@saad: we can’t blame them can we now, for their sick minds which are from the birth are told to hate pakistan because pakistan is predominantly Muslim country and their extremist hindus and pandits taught them to hate muslims
and then you comment
hey to all indian whey your country is letting naxals, Khalistan, kashmir, tamil and many more parties to open their embassy in delhi any idea? any update on that?
FYI, Naxals never demanded a new country,they just dont like the capitalist govt at the centre Khalistan issue has died long ago unless you are living in 1970s Tamils - dude,I'm a tamilian,the only time we agitated was to give rights to Tamil language, and no Tamilian has the idea of leaving from India
You call us fed with hate and fake ideology ,but you have grown up with false delusions.... I could pray for you to get well,but I'm an atheist,so I ask you to get the facts right before commenting
How are Indians bashing this? I dont even, HOW? This step wasnt taken because they're muslims. It was taken because they're Humans. What israel is doing is against humanity. Not against a religion. its against humanity
@hyderabadi: nice democracy who doesn't have any control on its army.... i jut wish that this govt doesn't get kicked off after a new chief comes....
A symbolic gesture of no value. What a great state we are, supporting a one-nation theory for the Arab-Jewish people but vehemently opposing a uniform state for Muslims and Hindus to live together on peace on one land. Hypocrisy
there are tons of stupid people here who think that spending $1 million on building a Palestinian embassy, here in Islamabad is a waste of Pakistani taxpayer money! how selfish! let me remind you that Palestine is a Muslim land FORCEFULLY OCCUPIED by an aggressor state/community and which is killing people as if they are nothing but a liability, and majority of the world recognizes these facts and condoles with the Palestinian people for their right to live!! and here we are in the Islamic republic of Pakistan talking about our spending habits!! we all know how much money is wasted in this corrupt and inefficient system but still would not object on this money being given to any other wasteful purpose.. thinking only of self is greed!
@Lotus: keep saying that and keep dreaming in the fantasy world. day after day democracy is strengthening and gaining deep roots in Pakistan. the days of Marshall law have gone and i dont think so with the amount awareness in the people of Pakistan from now own any irrational military ruler could ever do that almost everyday a milestone is crossed in our country. there is growing awareness among the people against terrorism and every terrorist attack bring us closer to the non muslims and people of others sects and we get united under flage of our country. now there is almost a library of fatwas from every sect of islam living in pakistan against taliban and other terrorists and they are requesting them to stop fighting. for the first time nationalist who himself was an seperatist is the cheif minister of balochistan province and other leaders had came back and participated in the elections... in karachi a targeted operation is going on.... the crime rate us just got amazingly low in just a month even better then your cities.. things are changing and swiftly changing.
Wow, so much jealousy from the Indian commenting brigade. You guys really need to get a life.
A very wonderful step taken by Pakistan, which has always been a leader in the Muslim world in championing the cause of Muslim self-determination. Palestine and Kashmir are in the same situation, both Muslim majority lands occupied and subjugated by heavy-handed foreign powers.
I have a very soft corner for the Palestinians but seriously how on earth can we help their cause when we got so many problems at home? Palestine has more close cultural links to Arabs than south Asia. So arab countries have more responsibility thsn us. Secondly we have serious issues at our eastern and western borders. We should avoid further enmity with the most cherished friend of USA. You dont want Mosad to be added into already complicated terrorism equation in Pakistan.
@ B FYI at this moment a nationalist party has form a Provincial Government in balochistan and they all have seat in pakistan Parliament that party whose members are mainly baloch. and for Jammu and Kashmir well non of the members of PG or who has seat in parliament are nationalist but bunch of jokers who are been paid by india to keep them happy as said by indian army former Army cheif but non of them as any support from their own people in kashmir and for azad kashmir they have form their own Government under the banner of pakistan.
@saad: We can pray for these sick indian which in reality are the main cause of terrorism in south Asia.
Before that pray for you,go to any country outside Pakistan,you can even go to a muslim country and ask which country is the epicenter of terrorism??
Doesnt it sound strange,you have been programmed by ur education sytem to believe that India's educational system is radicalising Indians......
@Lotus ohhh madrasa that the only word you have? i don't get it, this guy is clearly violating the policy of commenting on this site and still ET letting him publish this stupid comment? hahah brainwashed yeah right u wanna talk what about you indians who are brainwashed from the birth by the pandit who take you to some temple where they teach you how to kill innocent people and those people who want independence from india. Failed state hahaha look at your own country first Many important members of congress or politicians were killed by naxals your army have no control over those area they get killed by naxals and you blaming pakistan to be failed state hey lotus why don't you check the failed state index your country is there too hahahah.
@Khan: Even though u call my country in a derogatory manner, I think I wont mind as you have opened your eyes finally and smelt the coffee....
Palestine issue could have been solved had they tried solving it using dialogue in 1948,instead they got high with the support given by Arab countries and tried to push all the Jews into the sea but were beaten thoroughly.... The Arabic muslims and christians who didnt flee Israel that time are still enjoying the benefits of citizens of a prosperous nation ...
Now the Arab masters who sponsored the war are selling themselves to the US masters and wasting money on pursuits like skyscrapers,World cup,casinos,underwater hotels etc instead of using tht money to improve the life style of Palestinian refugees
Its only wannabe Arabs like you who daydream about destroying Israel and are ready to give their money and life for that cause and wouldnt think twice before blowing themselves in the local market for something which happened 1000s of miles away..
Those palestines dont care about ur sacrifices....
This is the plain truth whether u accept it or not
@saad: - every body including yourselves has right to live in illusion.
@Lal:
Dont know about Balochistan but did heard news about , indian Haiderabad state, ASAAM , Khalistan embassies
@Hasan: why forget...situation is same in india...still we are helping afghanistan...you have objection because it is for palestinian cause...bro you could be any thing but what your name suggest only for a istaeli supporter palestinian cause is useless.
@ Afzaal khan
Terrorist sponsors are giving advice to trolls to take psychiatric help ?
@saad: Leaving aside your questionable argument on richer Pakistanis building large number of dams than Indians; Are you sure Pakistan is the only country in South Asia with a motorway? Ever gave a thought that people elsewhere may be using a different names for the similar item - say, Express Ways and Free Ways in India.
Anyway, We encourage Pakistan to build a Palestinian Embassy. We have also extended our support to Palestinians for setting up of an independent Palestinian State living peacefully side by side with the State of Israel.
hahahahah 10 th failed state of the world building what??/ an embassy ....lol...lets wait and c if it will get bombed.....maybe by a drone ...LOL... will pak be able to provide electricity to it ....or will there be loadshedding in it too ??? :)
@tung: ur ignorance is painful ..... if the middle class itself is around 300 million how can 70% people live on 2 dollars a day?? too bad u learnt that from some madrassah ....another sign of pakistan's failing education standard...but who cares u got chinese weapons and still u get bombarded by drones .....what a sovereign nation ;) ur tiny middle class of 30 million makes ur country almost non existent in the economic front but then u have other issues like polio and death causing cough syrups and booooom :)
@tung: huh .... india's per capita income is still above poor pakistan which is still living with diseases like polio....hahah ... u guys have a lower hdi and no investments.... u railways is a joke ...hahaha....u report the highest cases of polio in world and 50% urban pakistan lives in slums and on roads.... ur economy is among the weakest in world.. yet u purchase chinese toys and still get bombarded by drone.... u r beggars who take loans from IMF and usa.... no one wants to invest in pakistan today .... thanks to the pathetic infra and security :)
@Jayant, Bro these brainwashed, madarsa educated fellows from the land of the 'pure' won't admit that their country is a failed state and the epicenter of world terrorism? But truth never hides. :-)
Government of Pakistan should concentrate on the problems of common man of Pakistan and solve it so that crime rates in the country should decrease and employment opportunities should increase.
Favouring Palestine or to the cause of occupied Jammu and Kashmir is not going to give any thing to Pakistan.
Neither Palestine is going to support Pakistan, nor the occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in the case when Pakistan will actually need their support.
When will Pakistan open Balochistan embassy in Islamabad?
We Welcome our Palestinian Brothers and Sisters to Pakistan
What about Embassy of balochistan in pakistan, any updates !
I seriously recommend psychological help for Indian trolls here, your obsession with Pakistan is very unhealthy
@ Saad
It is true that Pakistan had better roads etc than India,since the '70s. Americans donated money which was for funding the Afghan-soviet war which raged for a decade and ended in 1979. Pakistan used to train the mujahideen who fought the Soviets & diverted a large percentage of the American funds towards building infrastructure in Pakistan,(like good roads & dams).This large scale theft,is why Pakistan had better infrastructure than any south Asian country in the 70's.
@Observer: in the same way india with most poor of the world, with seventy percent population living on 2 dollars a day and with a percapita gdp of one thousand dollars gives money to afghanistan!:p
we dont have money for ourselves and givin out a million dollars to an entity which doesnt exist yet!stupid us
@hasan who told you 80% is below poverty? please don't compare indian poverty line with pakistan poverty line because it is 30%. again wrong not 70% its below 50% and secondly you are comparing india problems with pakistan because in india people are unhealthy and in india children's have malnutrition. They are a lot of schools but their parents don't send them to school because they want their kids to work with them to earn money for their family and please don't comment when you know nothing about pakistan there are roads and dams and better roads then any country in south Asia in fact pakistan is the only country in south Asia which have a motorway. hahah who told you we buy weapons from china ohhh it might be some indian haina? pakistan have their own factories to develop weapons and for that do go on net and do some research. and lastly i don't even think you pay taxes.
Why would Palestine need or want to have an embassy in PK ? Its a tiny country with almost no economic, cultural link with PK. It also happens to be richer than PK (almost twice as rich as Pakistan on per capita basis). Its not a huge amount but still money thrown down the drain.
How can a bankrupt state like Pakistan that survives on IMF loans and US aid grant aid to others? :P
What a nice gesture from Pakistan. But I feel,the help extended is more for religious reasons,rather than humanity. Would this help be extended to any country that wasn't a muslim majority country ?
Did I read this right? $1 million grant from Pakistan? Are we that well off?
Thank you Pakistan. A Palestinian
Totally for this.
viva la Palestine.
In 1970 Pakistan Army killed thousands of Palestinians in Jordan. In 1971 Pakistan Army killed thousands of Bengalis in Bangladesh (East Pakistan).
Will Pakistan build Bangladesh embassy in Islamabad next year?
this is how government should spend the money of my taxes which I pay.....feeling proud.....help the ummah i m ready to donate my whole property.....
He he he he he he Pakistan is like "out of mind", why and what for.
Palestinians themselves don't want to have a palestinian passport; most of them have already passports from neighboring country Jordon.
At the same time, please grant $1 million each to Taliban, Al Qaeda, Hakimullah group, JUD for their embassies.
Only 133 of the 193 member states of the UN recognise the State of Palestine.
The rest tell us that we are living in jungle, where might is right.
When will Pakistan build Kashmir embassy in Islamabad?
when 80% of the population in abject poverty, 70% of population uneducated, unhealthy, brainwashed, with no schools, hospitals, roads, dams.. this country waste taxpayer money on something so useless as this embassy.. why should my money be wasted on this??? I give a hoot on what happens over there.. use my taxes for my family, not buying fire toys from china or building junk buildings..
Pakistanis beg from US and give to palis