Tazeen Akhtar
Senior Parliamentarian, former federal minister of General Zia ul Haqq and Nawaz Sharif , leader of Pakistan Muslim League N , Raja Zafar ul Haqq has rejected and criticized the Two State Formula on Palestine and Israel. He has noted that the formula in itself is recognition of a state that the founder of Pakistan declared illegitimate.
He made such remarks in a seminar hosted by the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad on 26 March in connection with International QUDS day that was initiated by Imam Khomeini, the leader of the Iranian Revolution in 1979. The celebration of this day is meant to express support to Palestine and oppose Israel and Zionism. The day is celebrated on last Friday of holy month of Ramzan.
A documentary was also screened shedding light on recent high level martyrdoms of Irani commanders including General Suleimani and others. The reports on martyred leaders of Hamas were also included in the documentary.
Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moghaddam and staff welcomed the guests from different political parties and religious scholars from all faiths at Serena hotels Islamabad on Iftar and then seminar. H.E Moghaddam expressed the determination of Iran to continue the support of Palestine cause and called upon Muslim World to raise voice against Israeli genocide in Gaza and illegal occupation of Palestine.
The statement of Raja Zafar ul Haqq was important among other speakers because he also represents World Muslim Congress (Motamar Aalam e Islami) as Secretary General with its secretariat in Islamabad. Raja is holding this position for last more than 15 years. This organization was founded and is supported and managed by Saudi Arabia.
Having a double position at both sides, ruling party of Pakistan and Muslim World org of Saudi Arabia, rejecting the Two State Formula is opposite to the policies of both countries. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are following the policy of Two States of Palestine and Israel.
Raja Zafar ul Haqq was introduced in the seminar as Chairman PMLN only. But it does not separates the office of Sec Gen WML from his person. He said, “Israel is illegitimate child of the West. Recognition of two states will be cruel to our stance on Israel. We will get nothing from this policy. Actually it means , we accept Israeli stand on the dispute.”
” I served as Ambassador of Pakistan in Cairo for two years. I had seen Israelis there. They are the most filthy people in their dealings, Raja Zafar ul Haqq shared.
He said, ” Pakistan’s No Recognition of Israel is collective and public stance. But now a weakness is being seen in it. Some forces are creating hurdles in the way to consolidated efforts against injustice so that Israel is not harmed.”
He did not make it clear , he is hinting at some Pakistani forces or international players.
Former Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Nayyar Bokhari of Pakistan Peoples Party opined that a consensus is needed weather to support two state formula or not? He said, our stance on Palestine is same as of Iran.
The host Ambassador of Iran, H.E Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam delivered a welcome speech. He appreciated Pakistan’s contributions and role on Gaza and Palestine. He said, Pakistan supported Palestinian resilience at every level.
” Israeli’s were claiming that the resilience will be crushed in few days but the matter of fact is that Hamas is still fighting against Zionist regime. Resilience has been there always, from 1917 to 1948 and it was strengthened after Islamic Revolution of Iran, Dr Moghaddam said.
Dr Reza Amiri Moghaddam mentioned that instead of elimination of Palestinians as was claimed by Israel , both Israel and USA were seeking dialogue with the mujahideen. He called upon the Muslim world to condemn the crimes of Israel and USA against humanity. The Ummah is supposed to work out the conspiracies at every level.”
Former federal minister Mushahid Hussain Syed praised the principle stand of Iran on civil use of Nuclear as a big success. He said, President Trump dissociated himself from the pact on Irani nuclear in his first tenure but now he has accepted that the Nuclear Program is for peaceful purpose.
Allama Raja Nasir Abbas , MNA said, ” The fight against cruelty is natural. It is not about any proxy. The use of Khums (fifth part of wealth or production) for Palestine is fair in our belief.”
Sahibzada Noor ul Haqq Qadri, former federal minister religious affairs called Israel is a crook state and said, Zionists have found a state to live and rule after 2 thousand years of straying around. He said , the strong bond between the Ummah and Quds can not be broken.
Former federal minister, Ali Mohammad Khan of PTI said, the founding fathers of both states, Pakistan (M.A. Jinnah) and Iran (Imam Khomeini) did not recognize Israel. This is clear line to follow for their followers.
Former Amir Jamat e Islami Liaqat Baloch, Allama Iftkhar Naqvi and the only female speaker at the stage , Khanam Tayyaba Bokhari also shared their views on the topic.
The speakers were unanimous that Israel is conspiring for evacuation of Gaza from the Palestinians to occupy the strip. The people of Gaza have sacrificed 50 thousand lives in last 15 months. They will die but not let Israel occupy their lands. The world should act upon the inhuman bombardment of Israel on innocent citizens to save them from elimination.
It was a well attended seminar in which representatives of all walks and faiths were present. They broke their fast and offered Maghrib prayer together.
Former Prime Minister of PMLN and present head of Awam Pakistan Party, former federal minister Ijaz ul Haqq, former federal minister Sheharyaar Afridi of PTI, Senator Sehar Kamran, Amir Jamat e Islami Mian Aslam from international community, Ambassadors of Iraq and Turkiye, High Commissioner of Malaysia, DHM Tajikistan and many other diplomats were also present.
