Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that the twenty point Gaza peace plan announced by United States President Donald Trump was not prepared by Pakistan. He explained that the draft was altered before it was made public. Dar stressed that there was no space for politics on such a sensitive matter.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly he recalled his earlier press briefing in Islamabad where he had already clarified the issue. He said that the record of the negotiations is with him and that it proves the plan was changed.
Dar shared that eight Muslim and Arab countries had met President Trump on the sidelines of the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly. The countries included Jordan United Arab Emirates Indonesia Pakistan Türkiye Saudi Arabia Qatar and Egypt. Their only agenda was to find a way to end the bombardment of Gaza.
He explained that before the main meeting the foreign ministers of these countries had gathered in New York for detailed discussions. Qatar had acted as convener for these discreet meetings. According to Dar the group decided to work within the framework given by the Americans but to suggest changes where necessary. Hard copies of the draft were exchanged during long discussions in hotel rooms and within twenty four hours a counter draft was prepared.
Dar said that the final draft was then shared with the American side. Later President Trump held a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and presented a twenty point plan. The Saudi foreign minister told Dar that some urgent demands of the Muslim countries were accepted while some points required further negotiations.
According to Dar the choice was simple. Either continue talking and let Israel carry on with its bloodshed or agree on a plan that could stop the aggression. He said that the joint statement was agreed upon to prevent further violence. He added that statements alone will not stop the war and only practical steps can save innocent lives in Gaza.
Dar also reminded the assembly that Pakistan’s policy on Palestine is the same as that of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said that there has never been any change and never will be. Pakistan will always stand for an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Dar also spoke about Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla which was attempting to break the blockade of Gaza. He said that out of forty five vessels twenty two had been seized and many activists detained. According to information received by the foreign ministry former Jamaat e Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was among those held. Dar said that Pakistan had sought the help of an influential European country to secure his release. He added that more definite information would be available by Sunday.