ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday voiced its “unwavering” support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and condemned “irresponsible and provocative remarks” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about establishing a Palestinian state in the Kingdom.
The statement by the Pakistani foreign ministry came after a conversation between Pakistan’s deputy PM and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Israeli officials have proposed establishing a Palestinian state on the Saudi territory after the Israeli PM seemingly joked about the idea during an interview on pro-Netanyahu Channel 14, according to Reuters.
Netanyahu’s comments come amid a six-week truce announced last month between Hamas and Israel that ended 15 months of war, involving the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza.
“Strongly condemning Israeli Prime Minister’s irresponsible and provocative remarks, the DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as unflinching support to the Palestinian cause,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan has strong economic, defense and cultural ties with the Kingdom, while Islamabad does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.”
The remarks by the Israeli PM followed a suggestion last month by US President Donald Trump that Palestinians in Gaza should be resettled in Egypt, Jordan, or other countries — a proposal rejected by Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, and other nations apart from being condemned by international rights groups.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry on Sunday responded sharply to Netanyahu’s remarks, saying that it rejected “such statements that aim to divert attention from the continuous crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian brothers in Gaza.”
During their conversation, the Saudi foreign minister thanked DPM Dar for Pakistan’s “consistent and time-tested support” to the sanctity and inviolability of the Kingdom, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
“The two leaders agreed to urgently convene an Extraordinary OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) meeting of Foreign Ministers to discuss the developments relating to Gaza,” it added.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 45,000 people, including children and women, according to the Palestinian health ministry, with at least more than 100,000 others wounded. The war began after Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel.
Pakistan slams Netanyahu for comments on establishing Palestinian state on Saudi soil
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Pakistan slams Netanyahu for comments on establishing Palestinian state on Saudi soil
- The remarks about the establishment of a Palestinian state on the Saudi territory have provoked widespread backlash
- Pakistan deputy PM terms Netanyahu’s remarks ‘irresponsible and provocative,’ reaffirms support to Palestinian cause
Pakistani business federation says EU envoy pledges support for training industrial workforce
- Support aims to boost competitiveness as Pakistan expands skilled labor for exports and remittances
- FPCCI says the country’s economic future hinges on preparing its workforce for modern technologies
ISLAMABAD: The European Union’s top diplomat in Pakistan has pledged support for the country’s push to train its industrial workforce, exporters and small businesses through the national technical and vocational education system, Pakistan’s top business federation said in a statement on Tuesday, calling the assistance critical for boosting competitiveness.
The commitment came during the first annual conference on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), jointly organized by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the TVET Sector Support Program, where the EU envoy addressed business leaders and government officials.
“Pakistani industries, exporters, trade bodies and SMEs will be facilitated and supported in their training, and exporters should draw maximum benefit from the GSP+ program,” said EU Ambassador Raymonds Kroblis, according to the FPCCI statement, referring to the EU trade scheme that grants Pakistan preferential, duty-free access for most exports in return for implementing international conventions.
He added that Pakistan’s economic future depended on preparing its workforce for modern technologies.
FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh said Pakistan could “change its economic trajectory” through large-scale skills development and called for a sustained public–private partnership to modernize vocational training.
He said the federation would train 1,000 officials from chambers and trade bodies to strengthen workforce readiness.
Sheikh said Pakistan’s youth had “immense potential” and required structured opportunities to advance, both for domestic industry and for overseas employment.
Pakistan has been working to expand its pool of skilled workers to tap opportunities in Gulf economies, where higher-skilled migration could help lift remittances, a major stabilizing force for Pakistan’s economy.
Speakers at the conference said aligning Pakistan’s workforce with international standards was key to improving productivity, securing export growth and preparing workers for global labor markets.
