Pak shelves plans to recognise Israel after Gaza incursion

‘‘Moreover, a nearly two-year long media debate on recognizing Israel has led to the conclusion that the majority of Pakistan’s public is against any such move and it could result in a political backlash,’’ local daily The Nation said quoting officials.

Pakistan also recently issued a stern statement against Israel for its incursion into Gaza, urging the international community to help resolve the Middle East crisis peacefully. ‘‘We are concerned over the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestine, which would further impede the international effort to stop the cycle of violence and restart the negotiations,’’ Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN Aizaz Ahmad Choudhry had told the UN security council.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri has not only met his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom in Istanbul but also divulged that Pakistan has been in secret contact with Israel for the last 10 years.

‘‘As the peace process progresses towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, we will take further steps toward normalisation and cooperation, looking to full diplomatic relations,’’ Musharraf had said.