<\/p>\n
Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday asserted that Pakistan\u2019s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict \u201cis and will remain\u201d the same as it was in the past.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no change in our policy regarding Israel \u2026 our policy is linked to the rights of Palestinian people,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Pakistan does not have diplomatic ties with Tel Aviv, and believes in a \u201ctwo-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 (Jerusalem) as the capital of Palestine\u201d.<\/p>\n
The foreign minister\u2019s statement comes as Israel has increased efforts to stabilise ties with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries.<\/p>\n
Last week, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen told<\/a> journalists that during the United Nations General Assembly, he met leaders from several Muslim countries who had not recognised Israel yet.<\/p>\n He also suggested that \u201csix or seven\u201d Muslim nations were likely to normalise ties with Israel, following Saudi Arabia\u2019s potential inclusion in the Abraham Accords. The agreement represents Arab nations willing to normalise ties with Israel, such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.<\/p>\n During a news conference in Islamabad today, the foreign minister was questioned on Pakistan\u2019s ties with Israel. In response, he said: \u201cWhenever we decide on the matter, we will keep our national interests on priority.\u201d<\/p>\n FM Jilani stated that both he and the prime minister had clarified this in their speeches at the UNGA. \u201cPalestinians must be given independent state status like that of pre-1967 and Pakistan reiterated this stance in all relevant meetings,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cPalestinians\u2019 issue of right to self-determination is similar to that of Kashmiris. This is basically the part of our national interest.\u201d<\/p>\n Questioned about Pakistan\u2019s policy pertaining to Afghanistan amid the rise in cross-border terrorism, FM Jilani said the government had concerns regarding it and was engaging with Afghanistan on the matter.<\/p>\n \u201cThe presence of terrorists and stopping attacks from their soil is the responsibility of the Afghan government,\u201d he said, highlighting that this was the neighbouring country\u2019s bilateral commitment.<\/p>\n \u201cIn our recent meeting, there was a commitment that Afghan soil won\u2019t be used against Pakistan. I hope the Afghan government will abide by their commitment and we hope there won\u2019t be a repeat of incidents that we saw recently.\u201d<\/p>\n Talking about the new policy regarding the crackdown on Afghan nationals in Pakistan, the foreign minister said: \u201cThe new policy approved by the cabinet does not only pertain to Afghan migrants, it is about all those who are residing illegally in Pakistan.<\/p>\n \u201cNo country in the world will allow you to live if you are residing there illegally. We are also doing that and we will strictly implement that policy. Afghan refugees who are legally residing here will not be asked to leave, but anyone be it Afghan or anyone, will have to go back to their respective country.\u201d<\/p>\n Talking about Canada\u2019s allegations<\/a> regarding India\u2019s involvement in the murder<\/a> of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil, Jilani said whatever happened in Canada was very unfortunate but added that Pakistan has been highlighting India\u2019s involvement in such acts.<\/p>\n \u201cIndia\u2019s tactics of assassinations have been witnessed in all South Asian countries. Their espionage activities are also known and India has been supporting such actions.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, assassinations have become a global agenda for India and there is much concern at the UN about it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The foreign minister recalled that during his interaction with other world leaders at the UN, several countries expressed concerns over India\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n \u201cIndia\u2019s fake mask has been exposed and its reality has become evident before the world,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n In response to a question on Indian visa issues during the World Cup, the FM said the International Cricket Council must pressurise India to allow visiting spectators from other countries to visit.<\/p>\n\u2018Ongoing dialogue with Afghanistan\u2019<\/h2>\n
\u2018Assassinations have become a global agenda for India\u2019<\/h2>\n
\u2018No law violated by Russian purchases\u2019<\/h2>\n