In a visit sponsored by a group supporting Israel, Pakistani Americans met with President Isaac Herzog in Israel.
The visit was sponsored by Sharaka, which connects Israel with Gulf countries. This is aimed at promoting relations between Israel and Pakistan.
n the U.S., Pakistanis were represented by Aneela Ali, a Pakistani-American lobbyist. Islamists from other countries joined the gathering, including Pakistanis such as Ahmed Quraishi, who works for state-run PTV.
In the future, it may be possible for civil society representatives from various countries to meet with Israeli delegations in order to put in place more formal relations between them.
Shireen Mazari, the former Human Rights Minister of Pakistan, tweeted in Urdu: “I am not surprised to see Ahmad Qureshi in Israel, since he not only works for PTV but also maintains contacts with sensitive offices within the government.”.
“For more than one year, he has been promoting a pro-Israeli agenda while criticizing Imran Khan’s independent foreign policy,” said Shireen Mazari
It is clear that the present government is different from previous ones (Mian Shehbaz Sharif has taken over following a controversial vote of no confidence apparently engineered by the United States), Shireen Mazari added.
Imran Khan, the previous prime minister, has repeatedly stated that the United States was responsible for ousting his government. According to him, Israel and India were very happy with his demise.
In November 2020, Khan revealed in a media interview that he had been under pressure from some “friendly” countries to open diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv despite his assurances that Pakistan would not recognize Israel.
While the Pakistani delegation is happy to be in Israel, the entire world is pretesting against Israel for killing journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Shehbaz Sharif, the current Prime Minister of Pakistan, has not commented on this matter yet.
Responding to media queries, the Spokesperson of Ministry Foreign Affairs Pakistan categorically rejected the notion of any delegation from Pakistan visiting Israel.
The reported visit in question was organized by a foreign NGO which is not based in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s position on the Palestinian issue is clear and unambiguous. There is no change whatsoever in our policy on which there is complete national consensus.
Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination. The establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian State with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions, is imperative for just and lasting peace in the region.
