FOLLOWING reports that a delegation of Pakistani expatriates visited Israel which raised many eye brows and questions in the country, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar whilst speaking in the Senate on Monday categorically stated that there is no change in Pakistan’s policy towards the Jewish State.
The very statement of the Law Minister is indeed reassuring and in accordance with the aspirations of the common Pakistani who will never accept the recognition of Israel until and unless it withdraws forces from the occupied territories and grants the right of self-determination to the oppressed and innocent Palestinian people, braving the Zionist atrocities over the last many decades.
Pakistan has remained a staunch supporter of the proposal for the creation of an independent Palestinian State with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital.
Hence, there cannot be any question of recognizing Israel before creation of Palestinian State.
The people of Pakistan feel the pain of their Palestinian brothers and sisters and have always raised voice for their fundamental rights at world forums just like they have been doing for the oppressed Kashmiri people.
It is however unfortunate that every now and then a debate is started by certain elements about the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel, which needs to be discouraged with strong reaction.
There is no doubt that Pakistan, being a responsible member of the comity of nations, wants cordial relations with all the countries but at the same time establishing relations with the one which has broken all records of brutalities and atrocities against innocent people, makes no sense and this will also be a sheer injustice with the oppressed people.
If Israel is really interested to move forward and establish relations with Muslim nations including Pakistan, then it will have to shun its intransigence and demonstrate seriousness for a two-nation solution of this Middle East conflict.
Responsibility also rests with the international community, especially the OIC to practically stand with the oppressed Palestinian people and compel Israel to fulfil its international obligations.
