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Pakistan: No Plans to Recognize Israel

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan reiterated Tuesday it will not establish relations
   with Israel until there is "a viable, independent and contiguous"
   Palestinian state acceptable to the Palestinians.
   The statement came in response to persistent speculative media reports
   and commentaries that the South Asian majority-Muslim nation might be
   reconsidering its rejection of recognizing Israel.'¯
   The Pakistani Foreign Ministry refuted the media debate as baseless
   speculation and stressed that Islamabad "steadfastly supports the
   Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination."'¯
   Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent statement has been "clear and
   unequivocal" on the issue, underlined the ministry spokesman.
   "The prime minister has made it clear that unless a just settlement of
   the Palestine issue, satisfactory to the Palestinian people, is found,
   Pakistan cannot recognize Israel," the spokesman noted.
   "For just and lasting peace, it is imperative to have a two-state
   solution in accordance with the relevant United Nations and OIC
   (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) resolutions, with the pre-1967
   borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of a viable, independent
   and contiguous Palestinian State," the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
   Pakistan has denounced Israel since its inception in 1947. Pakistanis
   cannot visit the Jewish state because the country's passport states
   that it is "valid for all countries of the world except Israel."

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