Jordan and Pakistan reject any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza

Jordan's King Abdullah II and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have taken a unified stance against the potential displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, declaring "zero-tolerance" for any such measures during high-level talks in Islamabad.

Firm Stance on Gaza's Future

The position was articulated during King Abdullah's two-day state visit to Pakistan, marking the first official trip by a Jordanian monarch to the South Asian nation in over two decades. According to a statement from the Pakistani premier's office, both leaders affirmed their "unanimity of views" regarding the situation in post-war Gaza, firmly rejecting any demographic changes to the Palestinian territory. The leaders agreed to strengthen coordination within the group of eight Arab-Islamic countries that are engaged with the United States on developing a ceasefire agreement and peace plan for Gaza, which includes proposals for a new governance structure and reconstruction of the devastated enclave.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Beyond the urgent situation in Gaza, the discussions between the Jordanian and Pakistani leadership covered substantial ground in bilateral relations. The two sides explored opportunities for enhanced cooperation across multiple sectors including trade, economic investment, defense, health, science and technology, and education. Several memoranda of understanding were signed between the two nations, with agreements covering cultural and media cooperation among other fields.

A Visit of Strategic Significance

King Abdullah's arrival in Pakistan was met with ceremonial honors, including a reception by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi. Pakistani Air Force JF-17 Thunder fighter jets escorted the royal aircraft as it entered Pakistani airspace. The visit to Pakistan represents the fifth leg of the Jordanian monarch's Asian tour, which has previously included stops in Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia, signaling Jordan's ongoing diplomatic engagement with key Asian partners.