ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has strongly defended Pakistan’s role in a recent multilateral peace initiative aimed at ending hostilities in Gaza.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Dar emphasized that the Palestinian Authority has welcomed the joint declaration, while some individuals in Pakistan are politicizing the issue unnecessarily.
He expressed disappointment over domestic criticism, calling it a disservice to a humanitarian cause. “Some people are opposing the Gaza peace proposal just for the sake of politics. Do they want innocent civilians to keep bleeding? Do they have no heart?” he asked.
Dar explained that the initiative was the result of coordinated diplomacy among eight Muslim-majority countries, who engaged with U.S. President Donald Trump to chart a path toward peace in Gaza. The key objectives of the proposal included an immediate ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid, the prevention of forced displacement of civilians, the return of displaced persons, the reconstruction of Gaza, and a renewed push for the two-state solution. The agreement also calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of hostages.
According to Dar, diplomatic efforts began even before the UN General Assembly session, with Pakistan actively consulting Muslim countries on how to address the Gaza crisis. He stated that the foreign ministers of the eight countries held a preparatory meeting before meeting with President Trump, during which they finalized a collective position focused on ending the violence and addressing humanitarian concerns.
Dar revealed that several follow-up meetings with U.S. officials were held in complete secrecy. These discussions, he said, were deliberately kept off the digital record and relied entirely on handwritten communication. Messages were delivered through physical documents to ensure confidentiality. Both sides offered proposals, and some compromises were made.
Dar reiterated that the Palestinian Authority had welcomed the agreement and noted that the initiative had been positively received by all eight participating countries. The joint declaration commits to working with the United States and other relevant stakeholders to ensure peace, security, and recovery in Gaza. It includes provisions for ending hostilities, facilitating humanitarian assistance, releasing hostages, and implementing a framework for a two-state solution.
Responding to political criticism within Pakistan, Dar urged detractors to look beyond politics and recognize the human cost of inaction. “Do you want innocent children to keep dying of hunger while you sit here and play politics? For God’s sake, leave politics out of at least one issue,” he said. He called the agreement a significant diplomatic breakthrough and urged the public not to undermine the extensive work and negotiations that went into making it possible.
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