ISLAMABAD: Addressing the National Assembly on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian issue, declaring the country remains fully committed to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and will not alter its principled position.
He reiterated Pakistan’s consistent demand for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital.
Regarding the recently signed strategic defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Ishaq Dar stated that the pact clearly affirms that an attack on one country will be regarded as an attack on the other. He described it as a matter of great honour for Pakistan to be included among the defenders of the Harmain Sharifain, the holiest Islamic sites.
The Deputy Prime Minister further revealed that several countries, including both Arab and non-Arab Islamic nations, have expressed strong interest in entering similar defence and strategic agreements with Pakistan. He noted that this reflects Pakistan’s growing importance and leadership within the Islamic world.
Expressing optimism for the future, Dar said that while Pakistan is already a nuclear and missile power, it must now focus on becoming an economic power — a goal he emphasized can only be achieved through unity, political stability, and collective national effort.
Turning to the arrest of former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan and other Pakistani citizens by Israeli authorities, Dar shared details of the incident, stating that approximately forty-five flotillas were transporting humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. He informed the House that Mushtaq Ahmed Khan was aboard one of the twenty-five flotillas intercepted by Israeli forces.
The Deputy Prime Minister assured parliamentarians that the government is taking all possible diplomatic and legal steps to secure the safe return of all detained Pakistanis, including the former senator.
He added that Pakistan has formally engaged a powerful European country to intervene in the matter and help facilitate the release and repatriation of the Pakistani nationals detained during the aid mission.
