ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expressed his gratitude during a brief conversation in Arabic with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who sent help for flood-affected families in Pakistan while promising continued support to the Palestinian people against the Israeli occupation.
Last month, the Palestinian authorities sent a rapid response and rescue team to Pakistan while the country was dealing with flash floods triggered by unprecedented monsoon rains that began in mid-June.
The prime minister thanked the Palestinian president in a brief interaction before wrapping up his two-day visit to Kazakhstan where he participated in the sixth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.
“Thank you very much for your help during floods,” Sharif told Abbas after the two leaders warmly embraced each other. “Pakistan can never forget Palestinians and will continue to raise its voice for your rights until your success.”
In response, the Palestinian president described Pakistan as “our home,” adding the Palestinians had “not done anything” for its people.
“Don’t say that,” the prime minister replied. “We cannot forget the way Palestine helped the flood victims.”
Sharif added that Palestine was “part of our faith,” as Abbas said his country had supported Pakistan even before its independence.
Pakistan and Palestinian leaders have historically cherished close relations with each other.
The South Asian state has always advocated for Palestinian right to self-determination and has not recognized Israel or maintained diplomatic relations with it.
