ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan does not support the 20-point Gaza plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking in the National Assembly, he stated that Pakistan remains fully committed to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s long-standing policy on Palestine. He clarified that the Trump proposal is not Pakistan’s and includes points not agreed upon by Muslim countries. Dar emphasized that peace in Gaza needs real action, not just statements. He added that Pakistan will only support plans aligned with its principles and regional peace.
Dar revealed that foreign ministers from eight Muslim countries, including Pakistan, held informal meetings with Trump during the UN General Assembly. These countries discussed how to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and prevent further displacement of Palestinians. Trump later shared a proposal based on those meetings, but many countries, including Pakistan, had reservations. Although the U.S. welcomed input, the final version announced by Trump differed from the Muslim bloc’s draft. Dar stressed that Pakistan made changes and submitted its own recommendations before the U.S. released its version.
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Moreover, Dar read out a joint statement from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, and the UAE. The statement welcomed efforts to end the Gaza war but rejected any Israeli attempt to annex the West Bank. It called for full aid access to Gaza, an end to forced removals, and a complete Israeli withdrawal. It also demanded the establishment of a path to the two-state solution. Dar confirmed that Pakistan removed the word “Israel” from the statement, calling it a “no-go” in official policy.
In addition, Dar discussed the recent detention of aid flotilla members, including former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan. He said 22 out of 45 ships heading to Gaza were stopped, and many activists were arrested. Pakistan is now working with a powerful European country to secure Mushtaq’s release. Dar assured the assembly that the government is actively pursuing diplomatic channels and will not rest until all detained citizens are freed.
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The session also saw political tension as PPP members walked out after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz refused to apologize over an unspecified issue. They later returned after government intervention. Meanwhile, journalists protested a police raid on Islamabad Press Club. Wrapping up, Dar urged unity on Palestine, saying real leadership means saving lives, not scoring political points. He said Pakistan had to act where the UN, Arab League, and OIC had failed.