Pakistan’s Prime Minister Office has issued a statement censuring the recent decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The statement noted that it was “deeply regrettable” that pleas made by several countries across the globe to not change “the legal and historical status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif” were ignored “more out of choice than necessity.”
The decision by Trump is a reversal of decades-long US policy and may upset the fragile situation in Middle East.
The city of Jerusalem is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians and so far United States has maintained a stance of ambiguity with regards to its status.
Severe Blow To Middle East Peace Process
Pakistan has called the decision “a setback to the rule of law and international norms” adding that it as a severe blow to the Middle East peace process.
The statement further noted that it was a serious violation of international and specifically of UNSCR 478, and has urged the US to revisit the decision to avoid “grave repercussions” to the region.
It has called upon the UN Security Council to take steps as per the UN Charter.
The statement also welcomed the decision by Turkey to hold an extraordinary Islamic Summit in coming weeks to discussion the issue
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on December 13 to discuss the issue.
Protests Likely
Political and religious parties in the country have widely criticised the US move .
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced that it will be holding a nationwide protest this week. JI chief Sirajul Haq accused Trump of putting global peace in danger, noting that the decision was “putting fuel to a fire”.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the US move, as did Pakistan Peoples Party leader Khursheed Shah .
Reacting to the announcement, Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Khawaja Asif said that the decision not only targeted the Palestinians but also the entire Muslim world, adding that this was “a blatant evidence of opposition to Muslims.”
Asif had earlier said in a tweet that moving the US embassy to Jerusalem was an “an affront to Palestinians and the Muslim world,” adding that making the city Israel’s capital would be “burying the two states solution.”
Turkish President Discussing The Issue With Islamic Country Leaders
Turkish media reported that Turkish President Erdogan had spoken to his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain regarding President Trump’s controversial decision.
The two leaders discussed its possible implications, which has resulted in a nearly unanimous diplomatic backlash and has renewed fears of increased bloodshed in the Middle East.
President Erdogan, noted that without an independent Palestine state there might be no permanent peace in the area. The Turkish president has also discussed the issue with the leaders of other Muslim majority states such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Malaysia, Qatar, Sudan and Tunisia.
