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Islamabad on Sunday categorically rejected the notion of any delegation from Pakistan visiting Israel, a statement issued by the Foreign Office said.
The communique came after reports quoted Israel President Isaac Herzog as saying that he recently received a delegation of Pakistani-Americans, calling it an "amazing experience".
According to the reports, Herzog referred to the development as an example that showed him "great change" vis-a-vis Israel's ties with the Muslim world.
🔴 Depuis le Forum économique de @Davos le Président de l'État d'Israël @Isaac_Herzog révèle s'être entretenu avec des délégations du Pakistan 🇵🇰 et d'autres délégations de pays musulmans de cette région. Israël n'entretient aucune relation diplomatique avec le Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/2kGpFuR5L6
— Jonathan Serero (@sererojonathan) May 25, 2022
The Israeli president delivered these remarks during a special address at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting on May 26 in Davos, Switzerland.
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The FO said that the reported visit in question was organised 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 a complete national consensus." the FO spokesperson said in the statement.
He said that 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," he further said.
According to the International News Agency, during the talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Israeli president confirmed the meeting with a Pakistani delegation but did not reveal the identities of the members of the delegation.
Herzog maintained that the two Pakistani nationals were permanently residing in the United States but were “proud Pakistanis”.
He further said that the meeting with the Pakistani delegation was “very welcome” and that he was pleasantly surprised because no Pakistani delegation had ever visited Israel before.
Earlier, Anila Ahmed, a Pakistani-American, shared a photograph on Twitter of her meeting the Israeli president on May 12. In the photograph, she is presenting a book written by her father Qutbuddin Ahmed on Tehreek-e-Pakistan and Quaid-i-Azam to the Israeli president.
I’m honored to be the first Pakistani & American to present a book, an eyewitness account of the #Pakistan movement written by my father, Qutubuddin Aziz, to the President of Israel, @Isaac_Herzog. The president’s warmth & grace humbled me. @ammwecofficial @sharakango pic.twitter.com/TY6qe2xRYX
— Anila Ali (@anilaali) May 12, 2022
Anila Ahmed is a politician, author and teacher and is reputed for her social work in the United States.
Her tweet suggests she was part of the delegation that met with the Israeli president.
Although it was not immediately clear who was part of the Pakistani delegation, former human rights minister Shireen Mazari criticised the inclusion of Pakistan Television (PTV) anchor Waqar Qureshi in the delegation and claimed that it was “shocking” to see him as he worked for a “state institution” of “sensitive nature”.
Shocking to see @_AhmedQuraishi in Israel bec he not only works for PTV but closely linked to State institution of sensitive nature. For over a year he has been pushing a pro-Israeli agenda & targeted IK's indep FP! This seems to be part of the US regime change conspiracy agenda. https://t.co/w2g18cxFIC
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) May 11, 2022
In response, Qureshi also took to Twitter and stated that Mazari’s former boss, ex-foreign minister Raza Kasuri had held the first “official” Pakistan-Israel meeting in Turkey, “after which Israel waived important license requirements for Pakistan”.
Dr. Shireen Mazari, today's self-appointed top #PTI anti-#Israel crusader, was DG ISSI in 2005 when her boss, then FM Kasuri, held first official #Pakistan-#Israel meeting in #Turkey, after which Israel waived import license requirement for 🇵🇰; saved her job by not objecting. /1 https://t.co/7CwScv60l7 pic.twitter.com/5yKUgaeHwZ
— Ahmed Quraishi (@_AhmedQuraishi) May 15, 2022
Qureshi further alleged that Mazari had “saved her job by not objecting”.
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