Palestinian president due in Islamabad today

ISLAMABAD: The President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas will arrive in Islamabad on Monday on a three-day visit to Pakistan.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, this would be his third visit to Pakistan. He has previously been to Pakistan in 2005 and 2013. President Abbas will be accompanied by 17-member delegation, including five ministers.

During his stay in Islamabad, the Palestinian president will have a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif followed by delegation-level talks.

The president of Palestine and the PM will jointly inaugurate the newly constructed Palestine Embassy Complex in the Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad.

The government of Pakistan had gifted a plot of land in 1992 for the construction of the Palestinian Embassy Complex. In 2013 Pakistan also contributed towards its construction.

Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation will meet the president of Pakistan, followed by a state banquet in his honour. Bilateral political matters as well as other issues of common interest will be discussed between the two Heads of State.

The relations between Pakistan and Palestine have traditionally been strong. Pakistan has consistently supported the creation of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian State, with pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Pakistan has also extended support to the Palestinian struggle for their independent homeland, in all international forums.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Ambassador to Pakistan Walid Abu Ali has expressed his gratitude over unflinching support by Pakistan for independent Palestinian state.

In an interview with PTV, he said that Pakistan and Palestine enjoy close and cordial relations.

The ambassador also thanked Pakistan’s cooperation for building of Palestinian embassy.