Maulana Ajmal Qadri, a former Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) leader has claimed that ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif had sent him to Israel to hold talks with Tel Aviv officials.
The former politician said that he met with senior officials of the Israel foreign ministry and cabinet members during his visit to Tel Aviv.
“It was a kind of study tour,” said Maulana Ajmal Qadri while commenting on the purpose of the Isreal tour. He said that foreign ministry officials in Pakistan want to know whether any relations can be established between Islamabad and Tel Aviv.
“Actually, the trade affairs came under discussion the most because Pakistani textiles [brands] are very popular among Israelis,” the cleric said.
The former JUI leader said that he told Tel Aviv that no ties can be established between Pakistan and Israel until the Palestine issue is resolved.
Maulana Ajmal Qadri said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was “very passionate” to develop a relationship with Israel and sent the cleric to Tel Aviv after consulting certain quarters.
According to the former JUI leader, he told the ex-prime minister that parliament should be consulted before a decision is taken in this regard.
“Mian sahib was very passionate. But the political situation made the affairs go to the background,” he said. “There were other quarters with whom consultations were held and the decision was taken.”
Read more: Pak will not recognize Israel until Palestine issue resolution, says FM Qureshi.
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