ISLAMABAD: The matter of a delegation of Pakistan expatriates visiting Israel was raised in the Senate on Monday to clarify the principled stance on the Palestine issue.
Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed demanded that the nationality of those expatriates who travelled to Israel be cancelled and that the NGO which facilitated their visit be banned.
He said the visit of journalist Ahmed Qureshi, who works for Pakistan Television as part of the delegation, raised many questions. He asked under which travel documents he undertook the visit to the Jewish state.
Leader of the House in the Senate Azam Nazeer Tarar reiterated that there was no change in Pakistan’s policy in support of Palestine.
“We are firmly committed to our principled stance on the Palestine issue and Israel,” Tarar said while responding to a point of order in the Senate. “We will continue to support the just struggle of the people of Palestine. Our state policy on Palestine is very clear,” he said categorically.
Tarar said he will get complete information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries and tell the House in next session. ” I will inform the House about the matter after having an official statement from the quarters concerned.”
He questioned how a Pakistani passport holder could travel to any such country. He said making an official statement on any such newspaper story is not an appropriate way.
Leader of Opposition in Senate Dr Shahzad Wasim criticised the government and claimed that the delegation included two Pakistani passport holders.
READ MORE: Did Pakistani journalist Ahmed Qureshi visit Israel?
Ashrafi seeks action
Pakistan Ulema Council chairman Tahir Ashrafi said a letter was being written to Interior Ministry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take legal action against those Pakistanis who visited Israel.
Foreign Office spokesperson has rejected the notion of any delegation from Pakistan visiting Israel, saying the visit was organized by a foreign NGO 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,” the spokesperson said while responding to media queries. He said Pakistan steadfastly supported the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination.
Journalist sacked
On Monday, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that anchor Ahmed Quraishi has been terminated and taken off air for being part of the delegation. She maintained that Quraishi visited Israel in his ‘personal capacity’.
The minister reiterated that Pakistan was firmly committed to its principled position on the Palestinian issue and Israel.
She said that no policy or action could be adopted against the wishes and aspirations of the people of Pakistan. She said Pakistan fully supports the Palestinian right to a referendum in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
The minister said the world saw a two-state solution as a guarantee of lasting peace in the region. Every negative step taken for cheap political publicity should be discouraged in the national interest, she added.
