by A M BHATTI
ISLAMABAD, DEC 4 (DNA) Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar has said hearts of all Pakistanis throb with their Palestinian brothers and sisters adding Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and persecution of innocent people.
The minister expressed these views while speaking as chief guest on the occasion of Day of Solidarity with Palestinian people and 31st anniversary of declaration of Palestinian state.
Federal Ministers, Deputy Speaker of National Assembly, Senators, and members of civil society and diplomatic corps attended the reception hosted by Ambassador of Palestine Ahmed Rabei.
Minister Ghulam Sarwar further said Pakistan and Palestinian Authority have a very close and political relationship. He said that Pakistan firmly remains committed to ‘Two State Solution’ of the Palestine.
The minister said there are many Palestinians in Pakistan seeking education in various universities and institutions across the country such as Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad, Quetta and Multan. Settled families on the other hand, are primarily based in Islamabad and Karachi, he added.
He said relations between two countries are from cordial to excellent and growing with the each passing day.
He assured that Pakistan will continue supporting the cause of Palestine through thick and thin.
Earlier Ambassador of Palestine Ahmed Rabei thanked the guests for attending the reception in large numbers.
He also read out message of President of State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas in which the President said time has come for the emancipation of the Palestinian people and their freedom from this injustice, oppression and occupation.
UNGA granted the State of Palestine observer State status in the United Nations in 2012. The Palestine President had appreciated that legal and moral stance, and thanked the world community for principled position in support of our collective, just demands to end the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine and to actualize its full and complete independence on the 4 June 1967 borders, along with a just and lasting solution to the question of the Palestine refugees, whose plight has been tragically prolonged, in conformity with the relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, which affirmed the two-State solution: the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.
The guest enjoyed traditional Palestinian cuisines. Traditional Arab dances also remained hallmark of the event. Guest took keen interest in various handcrafts displayed on the occasion depicting various facets of Palestinian life style and culture.=DNA
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