ISLAMABAD, Nov 11: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has reiterated that Pakistan will not recognize Israel or establish trade links with it till the establishment of an independent state of Palestine.

He was talking to American Jewish Congress chairman Jack Rozen who had called on him here Friday.

Mr Rozen told President Musharraf he had visited quake-stricken areas and was grieved over the devastation caused by the quake.

He exchanged views with the president on bilateral relations and informed him that the American Jewish Congress was raising funds to help quake-affected people.

Gen Musharraf thanked the members and chairman of the congress and said that Pakistan needed billions of dollars for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the quake-hit victims.

Pakistan was not opposed to Israel, he said and added: “We however want lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. Violence should come to end there. The way Israel has pulled out from Gaza strip it should also evacuate other occupied territories and help establish an independent state of Palestine.”

He said that with the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, Pakistan and other Muslim world would review their diplomatic relations with Israel.