Daily Times

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has urged for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, condemning Israel’s actions in the region during his address at the Council of Foreign Ministers’ Preparatory meeting in Riyadh.

The session was held ahead of the Second Arab-Islamic Summit on the Middle East situation. Dar strongly condemned what he described as Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians, demanding accountability for the attacks. The death toll of innocent Palestinians has now surpassed 44,000, with over 100,000 injured and millions displaced, he said.

In his remarks, Dar highlighted that civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, and humanitarian shelters, had been deliberately targeted and destroyed.

He also noted that international humanitarian access to Gaza had been severely restricted, with the UN Relief and Works Agency declaring Gaza the most dangerous place in the world for aid workers. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed alarm over Israel’s increasing aggression in the region, which he claimed is jeopardising peace and security, with the conflict now expanding to Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. Dar condemned Israel’s military strikes against these countries as flagrant violations of international law and the UN Charter.

Dar proposed the nomination of a Joint Arab-Islamic Special Envoy to help coordinate progress on implementing resolutions adopted at previous summits.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for Palestine, Dar reiterated the country’s commitment to advocating for the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

He commended the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League for their continued dedication to the Palestinian cause.

In a separate meeting on the sidelines of the Council, Dar discussed Pakistan-Turkey relations with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, focusing on the ongoing situation in Gaza.