Pakistani TV network sacks news anchor over Israel visit

Pakistan’s federal minister for information and broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the state-owned Pakistan Television Corporation has sacked TV anchor Ahmed Quraishi, after he visited Israel as part of a Pakistani diaspora delegation, the Express Tribune reported.

According to Geo TV, Aurangzeb said that Quraishi’s services were terminated due to the “personal trip to Israel”.

The delegation comprised 15 members from the Pakistani diaspora and was led by two civil societies groups. The visit was aimed at promoting interfaith harmony between Muslims and Jews.

The Pakistani government has distanced itself from the visit. On Sunday, Pakistan’s foreign office categorically rejected that the delegation represented the country. “Pakistan’s position on the Palestinian issue is clear and unambiguous. There is no change whatsoever in our policy on which there is complete national consensus. Pakistan steadfastly supports the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination,” the foreign office said in a statement.

The information minister said, “There has been no change in Pakistan's policy in support of Palestine. Our country's policy is clear and in accordance with the orders of Quaid-e-Azam…no policy or action can be taken against the wishes of people of Pakistan,” she said.