Pakistan will not recognise Israel until there is a homeland for the Palestinians, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said during an event at the Asian Society in New York City on Thursday evening.
Responding to a question from Middle East Eye over speculation that Pakistan was considering a foreign policy shift towards Israel, Khan, who is currently in the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly, said he was not aware of where these reports were originating from.
Over the past month, speculation has been rife that Pakistan may be open to forming formal relations with Israel due to the reconfiguring of relations between the Gulf nations and Israel, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
"Pakistan has a very straightforward position. It was our founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who was very clear that there has to be just settlement, a homeland for Palestinians before Pakistan can recognise Israel," he said to rapacious applause.