ISLAMABAD, October 28: President Dr. Arif Alvi Sunday quashed rumours that Pakistan mulling recognition of Israel and also rejected as false reports that an Israeli aircraft had landed in Islamabad.
The president was speaking at media interaction prior to his departure for Turkey on a three-day visit on the invitation of his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, where he will address the inaugural ceremony of new International Airport of Istanbul and hold talks on bilateral matters.
“There is neither any possibility to recognize Israel nor such discussion has taken place in the government as Pakistan had always been supporting Palestine. There is no discussion in the government circles to establish relations with Israel,” President Alvi said amid debate in the social media that an Israeli plane had landed at the Islamabad airport and stayed for nearly 10 hours.
“There is no such possibility, discussion or debate to recognize Israel,” the president insisted. When asked about the reported landing of the Israeli aircraft, he said even those who had used social media for such reports have also admitted their mistake.
“Pakistan had been historically supporting Palestine because like Kashmir, Gaza had also been faced with unprecedented atrocities,” he further said.
To a question about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, he stressed the matter should be “taken to its logical conclusion.”
During his visit, the president is scheduled to attend and address the opening ceremony of newly built international airport in Istanbul. The event would also be attended by heads of state and government from other countries.
He is likely to hold bilateral meetings with Turkish president and other leaders, according to officials.The president used commercial flight to travel to Turkey that officials say is part of the government’s austerity drive.
The president also used normal immigration check and got cleared his luggage while standing in the queue along with other passengers, witnesses said. Talking about his visit, president Alvi said he would meet the Turkish leadership to explore ways for further strengthening brotherly ties.
About internal situation, he said the PTI government is stable and praised it for taking measures to provide improve economy. He also thanked Saudi government for supporting Pakistan in this hour of crisis by agreeing to provide 3 billion dollars to address the issue of the payment and supply oil worth 3.2 billion dollars on deferred payment.
He said Pakistan was open to investment in mining and oil refinery sectors. The president hoped that the prime minister’s visit to China in first week of November would also bring about the positive developments. He said Pakistan also desired 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 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. The president dispelled the impression about the imposition of governor rule in Sindh but called for Sindh government’s cooperation for uplift of the province. -DNA
