Like other Muslim countries across the world, Pakistan has expressed shock and horror over recent Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. Pakistan has urged the international community to push Israel for cessation of its unilateral strikes that have killed hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children. Expressing solidarity with the Palestinians, Pakistan has reiterated that it will continue to support the creation of a Palestinian state through the two-state solution.
Violence in the Middle East has also tilted public sentiment in Pakistan against the US and Israel. While some sections of the society have expressed their dismay over the limited coverage of conflict by local media, Pakistanis continue to create a buzz on social media platforms by strongly condemning Israeli aggression. Several graphic images and tweets not only showcase brutalities of the conflict, but also call for a boycott of businesses with Israeli links. Some other videos purportedly show the people of Gaza inviting armed forces of Pakistan to save them. Pakistan has always adopted a pro-Palestinian stance at all global forums. Further, Pakistan does not recognize the existence of Israel as a state. Similarly, the general public in Pakistan has always voiced deep concern over violence in Palestinian territories through protest rallies against Israel.
Pakistan is expected to refrain from playing a lead role in the current situation due to its foreign policy stance and other internal priorities. Pakistan would not seek to get embroiled in the sticky Israel-Palestinian conflict as it may further complicate its volatile relationship with the US. At the same time, the government of Pakistan realizes that it may not be able to make any significant contribution in reviving the region’s futile peace process. It will allow other Muslim countries, who hold higher stakes in regional turbulence, to make efforts to reach a cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian authorities. Therefore, it serves in the best interest of Pakistan to continue supporting a pro-Palestinian stance in the United Nations and condemning Israeli violence on humanitarian grounds.
The government of Pakistan is likely to commit itself to early completion of military operation in North Waziristan region, stabilizing political threats, economic revival and overcoming the country’s nagging energy crisis. The security challenge is in itself a battle for the survival of Pakistan and key to restoring peace in the country. By eliminating militancy from the country, the government hopes to gain confidence of foreign investors, create employment and put the economy back on track.
