No change in stance vis-à-vis Israel: FO

Says Pakistan will continue to support a two-state solution in accordance with UN, OIC resolutions

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Thursday reiterated that there was no change in its stance on Israel, insisting that Islamabad would not recognise the Jewish state unless a just settlement of the Palestinian issue was found.

"There is no change in Pakistan’s principled position on the issue of Palestine. The Prime Minister [Imran Khan] and Foreign Minister [Shah Mahmood Qureshi] have also reiterated our clear and consistent position on this," Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafiz Chaudhri told reporters here at a weekly news briefing.

He was responding to a series of questions ranging from Pakistan considering recognising Israel to pressure being exerted on Islamabad by certain "friendly countries" to review its stance on Israel.

"We have repeatedly said that unless a just settlement of the Palestine issue, satisfactory to the Palestinian people, was found, Pakistan could not recognise Israel," the spokesperson explained.

"For just, comprehensive and lasting peace, Pakistan will continue to support a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions as well as international law, with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of Palestine," he added.

On the visa ban by the United Arab Emirates, the spokesperson said Foreign Minister Qureshi in his meetings with the UAE leadership during his recent visit raised the issue of visa restrictions with the government of UAE. He was assured that the visa restrictions were temporary in nature," the spokesperson said.

Following the visit, the UAE foreign minister also stated that the restrictions on visa were temporary.

"I would refer you to the statement made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE H H Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan."

The UAE had placed visa ban on Pakistan along with 12 other countries on November 18. Initially, Pakistan was reluctant to confirm the ban.

Regarding the visit by Prime Minister Imran Khan to Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson without going into specifics did not rule out the possibility.

Diplomatic sources said efforts were being made to arrange the visit of the prime minister to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in January against the backdrop of recent developments. The Saudi ambassador also recently met the prime minister in a move suggesting that the two countries were keen to sort out issues between them.

"As for the visit of the prime minister, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy unique relations, deep rooted in historic, religious, cultural and social ties," he said.

"The two countries have strong economic, political, security and military cooperation at all levels. Relations between the two brotherly countries have continued to grow over time," he further added.

"Frequent high-level visits and close leadership level contacts have been the longstanding tradition of the brotherly relations between the two countries," the spokesperson told reporters, dropping a hint that the PM might visit Saudi Arabia.

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