President Dr Arif Alvi Sunday said that neither there was any possibility of recognising Israel nor any such discussion took place at the government level.
“In our government, neither any such thing was discussed nor are relations with Israel being established,” he categorically remarked while talking to media at the Islamabad International Airport before departing on a three-day official visit to Turkey. He said historically, Pakistan had been supporting Palestine because like Kashmir, Gaza had also been faced with unprecedented atrocities. “There is no such possibility, discussion or debate (to recognize Israel),” the president reiterated.
Regarding the reports of arrival of any Israeli aircraft in Pakistan, the president said even those who had spread such reports had confessed their inaccuracy.
To a question, he said though Pakistan had nothing to do with the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, however he desired that both Turkey and Saudi Arabia take this matter to its logical end while maintaining good ties.
He said that Turkey always supported Pakistan, be it is Kashmir or any other issue. Since Khilafat Movement, the people of Pakistan had been enjoying brotherly relations with Turkish people throughout all ups and downs. He said it was pleasing that the democracy stood victorious in Turkey during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government and it remained intact there despite international conspiracies.
The president said during his visit to Turkey, he would also interact with the Turkish leadership to further strengthen bilateral ties, besides interacting with other leaders attending the opening of the Istanbul International Airport.
To a question, he said the PTI government was very strong, and lauded it for taking measures to provide a breathing space to the national economy. He also thanked Saudi government for supporting Pakistan in this hour of crisis by agreeing to provide $3 billion to address the balance-of-payment crisis and supply oil worth $3 billion on deferred payment.
He said Pakistan was open to investment in mining and oil refinery sectors. He hoped that the prime minister’s visit to China in first week of November would also bring about positive developments. Likewise, he said, Pakistan also desires to expand its cooperation, investment and exports with the UAE.
The president said though it would take some time to address the crisis inherited by the incumbent government, however the country would finally manage to come out of it.
He said the appreciation of dollar value had nothing to do with this government’s policies because it stood at around Rs 128 even before Imran Khan assumed the prime minister’s office.
Responding to another question, the president said the reports of imposition of governor rule in Sindh were baseless.
Published in Daily Times, October 29th 2018.
