EDITORIAL: Pakistan Israel Contact
By the Editor

WITH a categorical tone and tenor, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has denied any policy shift vis-à-vis Israel and said that Pakistan will not recognize Israel till a sovereign Palestinian State is established.

Winding up the short debate on the meeting between Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Israel in Istanbul on Thursday, he assured the National Assembly that Parliament will be on board if and when the issue of recognition will be mooted.

The Kasuri-Shalom meeting has certainly created a sense of dismay and disappointment in certain circles in the country. It had prompted the Opposition to seek discussion on the issue through adjournment motions, besides holding public protest.

It has also stirred friends and foes abroad. Intellectuals have also come out with critical evaluation of the first formal contact between Pakistan and Israel. In this background, a categorical statement by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on the parliamentary floor was certainly desirable.

And it’s good that Shaukat Aziz has left no ambiguity about Pakistan’s principled position on the issue. His assurance that Parliament will be taken into confidence in case any decision is taken on the issue of Israel’s recognition at any time.

Pakistan is a democratic country and as such it’s obvious that Parliament should be on board on vital issues such as Israel’s recognition. It cannot afford arbitrary or whimsical decisions by any State functionary.

There is a need to develop a culture of mutual consultations on vital national issues among all stakeholders in order to ensure that the decision thereon has the nation’s endorsement.

As a matter of fact, a national debate should be held on such issues for consensus in view of their long-term implications for the State. The issue of Israel’s recognition is of a great significance for Pakistan especially in the context of its role in the Ummah.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s forthright statement on the issue of Israel’s recognition has dispelled negative perceptions that had developed in certain quarters following the Istanbul meeting between Foreign Ministers of the two countries.

There ought to be, therefore, no misconception about the meeting, which has been held at the behest of the Palestinian leadership in order to facilitate resolution of the Palestinian issue.

It’s hoped that Israel will vacate its occupation of West Bank including Jerusalem for the success of the peace process and establishment of a sovereign Palestinian State existing within its secure borders side by side with Israel.● 

 -  Mumtaz Hamid Rao
www.MumtazRao.net