Gilani denies any decision made on Israel

Acting president says peace deal with Trump made collectively

PESHAWAR:

Acting President of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, has said that Pakistan made a peace agreement with US President Donald Trump through consensus and mutual understanding, and categorically stated that no decision regarding Israel has been made nor is under consideration. He added that the Foreign Minister will take the Parliament into confidence on this matter.

Speaking at a press conference at the Governor House Peshawar alongside Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Gilani emphasized that foreign policy is a federal matter, and decisions in this regard are made collectively, not by any single individual.

"This was not the decision of just the Prime Minister or a military chief, it was a consensus agreement, with our allies including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Indonesia, Turkey, and Jordan," he said.

On the issue of Israel, the Acting President dismissed speculation, calling it a "mere mental construct," reiterating that Pakistan has neither taken nor plans to take any step in this direction. "When Parliament convenes, the Foreign Minister will brief the House. The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister have already clarified the matter," he noted.

Highlighting the importance of constitutional supremacy, Gilani stated, "If we act according to the Constitution, no crisis will emerge. The Constitution clearly defines provincial rights, new provinces, the NFC Award, and mechanisms like the CCI for issues such as dam construction."

He recalled that during the Pakistan Peoples Party's government, landmark constitutional reforms were introduced, including the abolition of the President's power to dissolve Parliament under Article 58(2)(b), and the passage of the 18th Amendment, which strengthened provincial autonomy. "We are democrats, and in democracy, differences of opinion exist. But by upholding the Constitution, we can resolve issues and move forward," he said.

Praising PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's performance as Foreign Minister, Gilani said, "Bilawal is a young leader who effectively represented Pakistan internationally.