During a Senate session on Tuesday, PPP Senator Raza Rabbani has called for the resignation of President Arif Alvi following a controversial statement on the Palestine-Israel conflict. Rabbani expressed his objection, stating that the President’s suggestion of a “one-state solution” during a telephone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas contradicts Pakistan’s long-standing position of advocating a two-state solution.
Rabbani, a senior lawmaker, emphasized that Pakistan has consistently maintained a principled stance of supporting two states. He conveyed his demand for the President’s resignation through Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and questioned the caretaker foreign minister about the government’s response to the statement, noting the tragic toll of 5,000 children martyred in Palestine.
Highlighting the deteriorating situation in Gaza, Rabbani criticized the apparent silence of the Muslim world over the Palestine issue.
In response to Raza Rabbani’s objection, caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani acknowledged the validity of the objection, stating that the Presidency did not consult the Foreign Ministry before issuing the statement. Jilani expressed uncertainty about the context in which the President mentioned a one-state solution, reiterating that Pakistan’s official position has consistently favored a two-state solution.
Jilani further disclosed that an explanatory statement had to be issued after the President’s remarks, which was shared with the OIC Secretariat and the United Nations.
The Senate session was adjourned until Friday at 10:30 am. The controversy arose from a statement issued by the Presidency after the phone call with the Palestinian President, suggesting a one-state solution if the two-state proposal was unacceptable to Israel. Subsequently, the press release was retracted, and a corrected statement was issued to clarify the President’s stance.
