Pakistan will not recognise Israel, says Tahir Ashrafi

Special Representative to Prime Minister on Religious Harmony Maulana Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has said Pakistan will not recognize Israel.

Pakistan's stance on Palestine and Kashmir is very clear therefore recognition of Israel is out of the question till the issue’s resolution, he told the media on Wednesday.  The premier’s aide stressed that Prime Minister Imran Khan can step down but he can’t step back on such issues and the Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia, stand by Pakistan, Tahir said.

About the issue of blasphemy, he said the government’s efforts bore fruit in bringing such incidents down by 90 per cent. Tahir said the foreign minister will raise the demand for making blasphemy an international crime at a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and making an international law to respect all the prophets and the holy books.

PM Khan is a true lover of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), he said, adding that the government will not compromise on the Finality of Prophethood.

He said the government thwarted a bid to create religious chaos before the holy month of Muharram.  No one has the right to impose coercive decisions on non-Muslims, he said adding that the government was setting up an interfaith council to promote religious harmony. He condemned the Jeddah attack and reiterated the resolve to continue playing the part for protecting the Haramain Sharifain at all costs.  About Covid-19, the PM rep said the government will get SOPs enforced at all costs al religious events.