Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has firmly ruled out any deviation from Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's policy on Palestine.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Friday, Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan's unwavering demand for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, with Quds al-Sharif as its capital.
Regarding the strategic agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Ishaq Dar stated that the pact clearly affirms that an attack on one country will be considered an assault on the other. He described it as a great honour for Pakistan to become part of the defenders of Harmain Sharifain.
The Deputy Prime Minister further disclosed that several nations, both Arab and non-Arab Islamic countries, have expressed interest in signing similar agreements with Pakistan.
He expressed confidence that Pakistan will one day lead the Islamic world. He emphasized that while Pakistan is already a nuclear and missile power, it must now strive to become an economic power as well, an ambition achievable only through collective effort.
Addressing the arrest of former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan and other Pakistani citizens detained by Israeli authorities, Ishaq Dar explained that approximately forty-five flotillas were carrying humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. He added that Mushtaq Ahmed Khan was detained from one of the 25 flotillas intercepted by Israel.
The Deputy Prime Minister assured the House that all possible measures are being taken to ensure the safe recovery and return of all detained Pakistanis, including Mushtaq Ahmed Khan.
He elaborated that Pakistan has engaged an influential European country to intervene in the matter and facilitate the safe repatriation of its citizens who were aboard the flotillas captured by Israeli forces.
Ishaq Dar categorically said that the 20-point Gaza peace plan announced by US President Donald Trump was different from the draft proposed by the Muslim countries including Pakistan.
"The 20-point [Gaza peace plan] made public by President Trump are truly not ours and changes have been made to our draft," Ishaq Dar said.
Recalling the intent behind the Muslim countries' engagement with the US on the issue, Ishaq Dar noted that it was an attempt to engage the US, which he said was the last hope, together with countries to stop the Gaza war as the United Nations, the United Nations Security Council and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had failed to do so.
"The plan was to engage President Trump together," Ishaq Dar said, adding: "Gaza is the graveyard of global consciousness".
Reflecting on President Trump's meeting with Muslim leaders on the sidelines of the 80th UNGA session, the politician said that the former was told that what was happening in Gaza was embarrassing, and if it cannot be stopped, then what's the point of the UNGA and the UNSC.
President Trump, he noted, took this positively and said that his team will sit with the Muslim countries and try to present a workable solution within 48 to 72 hours.
Following that, Ishaq Dar said that a meeting was held in Qatar's embassy, which was not made public, and which was also attended by President Trump's team, which presented Washington's 20-point proposal, which was then discussed separately among the Muslim countries later on.
We decided to stay within the framework, and to amend the existing proposal and incorporate our own wishes, Ishaq Dar said while noting that three meetings were held to discuss and exchange inputs and suggestions. "The final draft, prepared by all eight countries, was then presented to the US."
However, the DPM recalled that following Trump's announcement of the Gaza peace plan, the Saudi FM then reached out and informed him that the US had accepted most of their urgent suggestions, but there was a need to engage them on other issues.
The Saudi FM, he added, highlighted that there were two options, i.e., either to continue the engagements and talks, which would suit Israel, allowing it to continue its war, or let the 20-point plan be implemented and issue a joint statement. Ishaq Dar said that he agreed with the latter option.
Responding to the criticism concerning PM Shehbaz Sharif's reaction of welcoming President Trump's Gaza plan, the FM said that the premier was in transit and had other engagements and had in fact only responded to a tweet made by the US president in broader context.
How can someone know that the 20 points were not the same as those proposed by the eight Muslim countries, he questioned.
Assuring the House that there will be a follow-up on the Gaza peace plan by Muslim countries, the DPM said that Pakistan's policy towards Palestine is the same as that of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and that there has been no change in it, nor will be changed in the future.
Ishaq Dar also briefed the House on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the White House, joined by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He noted the cordial exchanges, appreciation for Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts, President Trump's role in facilitating the Pakistan-India ceasefire understanding in May, and the agreement to expand trade while inviting U.S. investments in agriculture, IT, mines and minerals, and energy.
Earlier, the House offered fateha for the departed souls of various people, including personnel of the security forces, who embraced martyrdom in defence of the motherland. Ali Muhammad Khan led the fateha. The House will now meet on Monday at 5:00 PM.