A debate to normalize relations with Israel began in Pakistan recently
Pakistan gets embroiled in Israel controversy. The debate to accept Israel soon took over the national media. A few favoring and several opposing claims were coming from the government. The opposition started calling Prime Minister Imran Khan a Jewish agent. However, the debate ended with Pakistani government claiming that it has no plans to normalize relations with Israel. Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi announces in a press conference that his country is not willing to begin relations with Israel. It is until an amicable solution of Palestine is found. He claims to inform his counterpart in important Arab countries. He was referring to United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
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The issue matters as Pakistan doesn’t allow its citizens to travel to Israel. Pakistan has been one of the main supporters of Palestine for years. And before 2001, the country couldn’t imagine to begin relations with this key US ally. However, Pakistan’s former military ruler initiated a debate in his country that it should start normalizing relations with Israel. Yet, there were several protests against him and the idea was dropped.
However, this issue again came to light recently. There was a debate in Pakistan that it should accept Israel. There were reports that its key ally UAE also wants that it should accept Israel. However, a controversy began and the country made it clear that it will not start normalizing relations with Israel.
Pakistan’s Israel Controversy
The issue is turning into a political controversy in Pakistan internally. The government is claiming that its key political opponent Mian Nawaz Sharif had sent his religious minister to Israel in 1998. It claims that Mr. Sharif’s intention was to start normalizing relations with Israel. It has also brought forward his former minister who accepts the claim.
Maulana Ajmal Qadri claims to attend an event in Israel in 1998. He also claims that Mr. Sharif had intentions of strong ties between Israel and Pakistan. Although, Mr. Sharif’s party isn’t accepting his claim. Yet, this speaks of the controversies whenever Pakistan’s stance for normalizing relations with Israel comes up.
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