New Delhi: Even as Pakistan was among the 20 countries that signed the ‘Board of Peace’ charter plan for Gaza under US President Donald Trump’s initiative, Israel on Friday said that it won’t allow Islamabad to be a part of the peace process in the region.
‘Pakistan among backers of terrorism’
Speaking to NDTV, Israel’s economy minister Nir Barkat called Pakistan among the backers of terrorism and said that any country that supported terrorism was not welcome. Israel’s statement has come at a time when Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and his government are facing backlash from Opposition parties and religious organisation for joining Trump’s initiative.
Even as he slammed Pakistan, the Israeli minister praised the US President for the latter’s initiative to bring peace in Gaza. Praising Trump’s framework, he added that was better than the UN, which he referred to as ‘biased’.
Meanwhile, criticising Shehbaz Sharif for joining the initiative, PTI issued a statement saying, “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf does not accept the Government of Pakistan’s decision to join the ‘Board of Peace’.”
It added, “PTI calls upon the Government of Pakistan to withdraw any formal participation in the ‘Board of Peace’ until a complete consultative process has been conducted.” It was observed that the government should have taken the national assembly and the people of the country in confidence before taking such step.
Apart from Opposition parties, various religious groups have also expressed their displeasure over the step taken by the Pakistan government, saying that the step taken was uncalled for. On its part, the Government explained its stance and added that the decision was taken keeping in mind the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Which countries have joined the initiative so far?
While Trump has approached 20 countries to join the initiative, countries that have joined so far are Argentina, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Morocco, Mongolia, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. India, which has also been approached, is keeping wait and watch policy so far.