Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the 20-point Gaza peace plan released by US President Donald Trump does not fully represent Pakistan’s position. He emphasized that practical solutions, not political debates, are needed to stop the violence in Gaza.
Pakistan’s Stance on Trump’s Plan
Speaking in the National Assembly, Dar clarified that changes were made to Pakistan’s original draft of the plan. “The 20 points shared by President Trump are not ours,” he said, adding that the final draft reflected adjustments suggested by other countries.
Dar stressed that despite differences, politicking is not allowed in this matter. He reiterated Pakistan’s consistent policy on Palestine, aligned with Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision: Pakistan supports an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Multilateral Discussions on Gaza
The Gaza peace talks involved eight Muslim and Arab countries: Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt, held alongside the 80th UN General Assembly session.
Dar explained that these countries held preparatory meetings in New York to discuss the escalating violence in Gaza. He added that Qatar’s embassy served as the coordinator for these discreet talks, which included input from the US and Israeli representatives.
Drafting the Counter Proposal
Dar said the ministers reviewed Trump’s proposal and prepared a counter draft based on shared priorities and amendments. The revised draft was submitted to the US, ensuring that urgent points from the eight countries were included.
He confirmed that during Trump-Netanyahu discussions on September 29, the final 20-point plan was publicly announced. Some issues, according to Saudi Foreign Minister, required further engagement, but the joint statement was finalised to end the bombardment of Gaza.
Gaza Flotilla Incident
Dar also addressed the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which Israel intercepted. Out of 45 vessels, 22 were captured, and several activists, including former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, were detained. Pakistan engaged a third European country to secure the release of its citizens.
Key Takeaways
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Pakistan rejects Trump’s Gaza plan as fully representative of its stance.
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Practical solutions are prioritized over political debates to stop violence in Gaza.
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Pakistan reaffirms support for an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as the capital.
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Pakistan actively works to protect its citizens involved in international incidents like the flotilla.
