ISLAMABAD: Political leaders in Pakistan on Wednesday slammed Israel for holding elections on illegally occupied Palestinian territory as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a clear path to re-election according to exit polls.
Pakistan does not have diplomatic ties with Israel and has been a staunch supporter of demands for a Palestinian state.
In a rare turn during the election race toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Netanyahu alarmed Palestinians by pledging to annex Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank if re-elected. Palestinians seek a state there and in the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Pakistan’s government and foreign office did not respond to calls seeking comment on the results of the Israeli election. But opposition political parties denounced the polls as ‘illegitimate.’
“There will be no recognition of these fake elections” carried out on illegally occupied Palestinian lands,” said Mushahidullah Khan, a senator from the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party.
“The Israeli state itself is not legitimate, how can their so-called elections be [legitimate]?” said Ghaffar Aziz from Pakistan’s largest religious party, the Jamaat-e-Islami. “In any way we look at it, the Israeli administration is an unlawful government and the people of Israel should realize that this territory belongs to the Palestinian people and they have the right to form a government. Israeli can co-exist peacefully with them”.
In a Twitter post, Pakistan’s Human Rights Minister Dr. Shireen Mazari said Israel was breaking international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions by annexing illegally occupied territories “simply to gain electoral votes.”
“It reflects their mindset of expanding their countries’ borders illegally,” she said.
On Tuesday Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the top leaders of India and Israel of ‘moral bankruptcy,’ saying they had ambitions of illegally occupying the West Bank and Kashmir to drum up support before crucial elections in both countries this month.
“When ldrs [leaders] in Israel & India show a moral bankruptcy in their readiness to annex occupied West Bank & IOK [Indian Occupied Kashmir] in defiance of int [international] law, UNSC [United Nations Security Council] resolutions & their own Constitution for votes, don’t their ppl [people] feel a sense of outrage,” Khan asked in a Twitter post.
Pakistani leaders call out Israeli 'fake election' as Netanyahu secures victory
Pakistani leaders call out Israeli 'fake election' as Netanyahu secures victory
- Will not recognize “fake elections” carried out on illegally occupied Palestinian lands, says opposition senator
- Human Rights Minister says Israel breaking international law, UNSC resolutions in annexing illegally occupied territories “to gain electoral votes”
Pakistan to begin first phase of Hajj 2026 trainings from today
- Training programs to be held in phases across Pakistan till February, says religion ministry
- Saudi Arabia allocated Pakistan a total quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has said that it will begin the first phase of mandatory Hajj 2026 training for pilgrims intending to perform the pilgrimage from today, Thursday.
The one-day Hajj training programs will be held in phases across the country at the tehsil level until February. The ministry directed intending pilgrims to bring their original identity cards and the computerized receipt of their Hajj application to attend the training sessions.
“Pilgrims should attend the one-day training program according to their scheduled date,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) said in a statement.
The ministry said training schedules are being shared through the government’s Pak Hajj 2026 mobile application as well as via SMS. It added that details of the schedule are also available on its website.
According to the ministry, training programs will be held in Abbottabad on Jan. 2; Ghotki, Thatta and Kotli on Jan. 3; and Tando Muhammad Khan and Khairpur on Jan. 4.
Hajj training sessions will be held in Rawalakot, Badin and Naushahro Feroze on Jan. 5, while pilgrims in Fateh Jang, Dadu and Tharparkar will receive the training on Jan. 6.
The ministry said training programs will be conducted in Umerkot and Larkana on Jan. 7, followed by sessions in Mirpurkhas, Shahdadkot and Mansehra on Jan. 8.
Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry has previously said these trainings will be conducted by experienced trainers and scholars using multimedia.
It said the training has been made mandatory to ensure that intending pilgrims are fully aware of Hajj rituals and administrative procedures.
Saudi Arabia has allocated Pakistan a quota of 179,210 pilgrims for Hajj 2026, of which around 118,000 seats have been reserved under the government scheme, while the remainder will be allocated to private tour operators.
Under Pakistan’s Hajj scheme, the estimated cost of the government package ranges from Rs1,150,000 to Rs1,250,000 ($4,049.93 to $4,236), subject to final agreements with service providers.
