Trump recognition of Jerusalem undermines US role as honest peace broker: FM Asif

Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif represented Pakistan in a meeting of foreign ministers at the extraordinary summit of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), stating the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel undermines the role of the United States as an honest peace broker.

Leaders of the Muslim world are attending the OIC on Wednesday in Istanbul, looking to rally for a coordinated response to US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrived in Turkey on Tuesday to attend the special summit on Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem), accompanied by Asif and Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif.
Abbasi led the Pakistani delegation at the summit, which was held shortly and chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country holds the rotating chairmanship of the OIC.
“FM Asif underscored at OIC CFM that US recognition of Jerusalem undermines its role as an honest broker in the peace process,” Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted.
Trump’s announcement last week prompted an outpouring of anger in the Muslim and Arab world, where tens of thousands of people took to the streets to denounce Israel and show solidarity with the Palestinians.
The decision has sparked protests in Palestinian territories, with four Palestinians killed so far in ensuing clashes and air strikes and hundreds wounded.
Pakistan strongly condemned Trump’s move to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, voicing its concern “over the implications of this decision for international peace and security, especially in the Middle East”, according to a Foreign Office statement.
A statement from the Prime Minister Office had stated that it is “deeply regrettable that pleas from states across the globe not to alter the legal and historical status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif have been ignored, more out of choice than necessity.”
The Government of Pakistan had also welcomed the announcement by Turkey to convene an extraordinary Islamic Summit to discuss this serious issue.