- Deputy PM clarifies Islamabad along with seven other Muslim countries had submitted amendments that were overlooked
- Cautions there is ‘no room for politicking’ on the matter, emphasising priority was to stop Israel’s bombardment of Gaza
- Stresses Pakistan’s stance on Palestine was unchanged since Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s time
- Assures differences with coalition partner PPP would be settled soon
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the National Assembly on Friday that the 20-point Gaza peace plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump was “not Pakistan’s draft” but a modified version, clarifying that Islamabad along with seven other Muslim countries had submitted amendments that were overlooked.
He, however, cautioned that there was “no room for politicking” on the matter, emphasising that the priority was to stop Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
Recounting the diplomatic process on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly session, Dar said eight Muslim and Arab countries — Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt — had engaged Trump in New York to push for a workable ceasefire. “I made it clear that the 20 points President Trump made public are not ours. Changes were made to our draft. I have the record,” Dar asserted, noting that the group had prepared and submitted a joint counter-draft, which was only partially accommodated.
He revealed that the US side handed the ministers a 20-point proposal, which the group decided to amend within the given framework. “We exchanged hard copies in hotel rooms … and finalised a counter draft,” he said, adding that the urgent points proposed by the eight countries were acknowledged but “some things still required further engagement”. Quoting the Saudi foreign minister, Dar said the countries ultimately chose to back Trump’s plan in order to halt bloodshed.
DPM Dar stressed that Pakistan’s stance on Palestine was unchanged since Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s time, reiterating support for a sovereign Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Flotilla interception
The foreign minister also strongly condemned the unlawful interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla by Israeli forces, terming it a “blatant violation of international maritime law and humanitarian principles.” He assured the House that Pakistan was actively pursuing diplomatic efforts for the safety and safe return of its nationals aboard the vessel. “Pakistan’s policy on Palestine has not changed, nor will it ever change,” Dar said, stressing that Islamabad would continue to demand a two-state solution with pre-1967 borders.
He recalled that the joint statement issued by the eight countries called for unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza, no displacement of Palestinians, Israel’s full withdrawal, rebuilding of Gaza, and a credible path towards peace under the two-state solution, integrating Gaza with the West Bank.
Dar also highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s speech at the UNGA, where he raised Palestine, Kashmir, climate justice, reform of global financial systems, and sustainable development.
Bilateral engagement with US
Briefing lawmakers further, Dar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s bilateral meeting with President Trump at the White House — also attended by Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir — featured cordial exchanges, appreciation for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, Trump’s role in facilitating the May Pakistan-India ceasefire understanding, and an agreement to expand trade with US investments in agriculture, IT, minerals, and energy.
PPP-PML-N tensions
Turning to domestic politics, Dar assured the assembly that differences with coalition partner PPP — which staged a walkout earlier in the day — would be settled soon. “This matter is neither serious nor unresolvable. With Allah’s grace, we will succeed in putting things back on track,” he said, revealing that he had already met PPP leaders including Naveed Qamar to hear their concerns alongside the Speaker and law ministers.
He added that President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were both abroad, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had only just returned from foreign engagements. “The exchange of accusations and counter-accusations must stop,” he urged. PPP lawmakers later returned to the session amid government assurances of dialogue.
