Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Dr Lodhi was speaking via video link at a roundtable conference organised by the Islamabad Policy Institute (IPI) on 'Palestine: Deal of the Century & Two State Solution' in connection with the international workshop held in Bahrain, where the US rolled out the first part of its proposed 'Deal of the Century.'
"We are seeing shifting of the US policy .... Pakistan does not agree to shifts in position and we continue to be part of the OIC in rejecting these shifts and calling for a just and humane settlement of Palestine issue in line with UNGA and UNSC resolutions," Dr Lodhi said while referring to the US position on Golan Heights and illegal settlements.
"We call for Two State solution based on pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem as capital of independent and contiguous Palestinian State," she said and emphasised that international consensus in favour of such a solution remains unaffected. Quoting UN Secretary General, the Pakistani envoy said, there was no other viable plan that could deliver peace in the Middle East.
The conference was also addressed by the Deputy Permanent Observer of State of Palestine at the UN Ambassador Feda Abdelhady and representatives of political parties, think tanks and academia.
Ambassador Abdelhady, in her comments via video link from New York, rejected the 'Deal of the Century' as "cynical and bad faith effort." Criticising the US plan, she said Bahrain Conference relegated core issues in Palestine dispute as 'non-issues' and there was not even a mention of 'Palestine' and 'occupation' in the US plan.
She said the US is, in collaboration with Israel, trampling the law and mocking the longstanding international consensus on the issue. "It is clear that appealing, cajoling, and appeasing Israel is not going to work and the international community must realise that only accountability can break this toxic cycle, end illegal occupation and achieve rights for Palestinian people," she asserted.
The representatives of the political parties on this occasion observed that Pakistan government cannot change its position on Palestine dispute because of its implications for Kashmir conflict. They urged the government to clarify its position on the US proposal that is being backed by several Arab countries.
Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Committee Ehsan Tiwana, who chaired the session, said Pakistan's position on Palestine is unambiguous and the government does not have much space for deviating from it because of similarities between Kashmir and Palestine disputes.
He said that any shift in the position, if it were to happen, would have to be debated in the Parliament and the decision would have to be taken through consensus, adding that there is no other way for changing the stance.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Awais Leghari said that despite discernible shift in Arab countries, Pakistan should retain its independent stance and be cognizant of the impact of recognition of an occupier state's legitimacy and disregard of international agreements for the suppressed people of Palestine. This would also inadvertently impact Pakistan's position on Kashmir, he added.
Secretary General Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen Raja Nasir Abbas Jaffery said that Trump's 'Deal of the Century' is part of its plan for 'greater Israel' and is doomed to fail. He said that the US is attempting to territorially expand Israel in disregard of international law and principles. He warned that the US plan is a threat for the entire region.
He said that Pakistan government looks confused on the issue. He urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to play a pro-active role in dealing with the emerging situation. He suggested that Pakistan while formulating its response should keep in view larger picture and act wisely.
Executive Director IPI Professor Sajjad Bokhari said that President Trump's proposed solution could put Palestinians at a permanent disadvantage by taking them further away from the realisation of a 'Two State solution.' The plan is aimed at strengthening Israel's permanent control over East Jerusalem and strategic areas of the West Bank, while restricting Palestinians to a few isolated enclaves, he added.