Pakistan along with 8 other Islamic countries had presented an amended Gaza peace to US president Donald Trump but those amendments were not incorporated in Trump’s 20-point plan which was rather amended at the eleventh hour. Pakistan’s foreign minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar made these startling revelations on Friday while delivering a policy statement in National Assembly.
“We do not accept these last-minute changes in Trump’s plan, “ Dar disclosed unequivocally while claiming the name of Israel was dropped from the Gaza Peace Plan in Pakistan’s insistence.
Deputy Prime Minister Dar clearly stated that the issue of Palestine is the most distressing, and the nation is united on this matter. He confirmed that US President Donald Trump had presented important points regarding the Gaza issue. Dar mentioned that when he was presented with the 20-point agenda, he, on behalf of the Islamic countries, presented an amended 20-point plan. However, Dar noted, Changes were made to the 20-point draft that was finalized, and we do not accept those changes. He further explained that a meeting took place between the foreign ministers of eight countries and President Trump’s team, where the US President spoke openly. An agreement was reached that the West Bank would be referred to as a part of Gaza in the joint statement. Dar emphasized that this issue is not limited to one country but is a shared responsibility of all Islamic nations. The foreign ministers of these eight countries issued a joint statement, which accepted most of the points he presented.
Dar said the joint statement welcomed President Trump’s efforts for peace in Gaza. He affirmed that Pakistan’s policy on Palestine remains consistent with that of the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed regret over the failure of international organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union, to stop the bloodshed in Gaza, highlighting that people in the war-stricken area are dying of starvation. Dar recalled that the Prime Minister had strongly condemned Israel by name in the UN General Assembly. Regarding foreign relations, Ishaq Dar termed China as Pakistan’s “all-weather friend,” stating that China holds a key position in Pakistan’s independent foreign policy. He also informed the National Assembly that Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia span several decades, and the defence agreement was not sudden but had been worked on for a long time.
The Deputy Prime Minister strongly condemned the Israeli attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla, where Israel seized 22 boats and arrested people, including some Pakistanis. He confirmed that former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan is among those detained, and a conversation has been held with an influential European country for their release. He pledged to continue efforts for the safe return of the other Pakistanis as well.
