Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan "not ours", says DPM Dar 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the 20-point Gaza peace proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump does not represent Pakistan’s stance nor that of other Islamic countries.

Speaking during a National Assembly (NA) session, he maintained that the draft was not the one agreed upon by Muslim states and that unauthorized amendments had been included in it.

Dar reiterated that Pakistan’s position on Palestine remains rooted in the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and emphasized that there is no room for political bargaining on this cause.

He noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his recent address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), forcefully defended the rights of both Palestinians and Kashmiris.

The foreign minister criticized global institutions for their failures, pointing out that the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), and Arab states have all fallen short in halting the violence in Gaza.

He added that Pakistan, along with eight other Muslim nations, had sought to draw world attention to the crisis through direct engagement with the American president.

Dar stressed that an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and subsequent reconstruction are urgent needs and should be treated as a collective responsibility of the Muslim world.

He dismissed reports of any contact with Israel and revealed that a number of Pakistanis, including Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, are currently in Israeli custody, with Pakistan in touch with influential European countries to secure their release.

DPM Dar also spoke of the recently finalized accord with Saudi Arabia, describing it as historic.

According to him, the agreement, initiated during the PDM government and completed by the present administration, has conferred on Pakistan the honor of being associated with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques—something he regarded as a source of national pride.

The deputy prime minister observed that other states have shown interest in similar cooperation following this development, which he considered a step toward stronger unity within the Muslim Ummah.

DPM Dar further remarked that Pakistan, besides being a nuclear state, is now moving toward becoming a significant economic power.

Speaking on the detention of former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan and other Pakistanis by Israeli forces, DPM Dar said that nearly 45 flotillas had set out carrying relief goods for the people of Gaza.

He noted that Mushtaq Ahmed Khan was among those apprehended from one of the 25 vessels stopped by Israel.

The foreign minister assured the House that the government is actively pursuing all avenues to ensure the release and safe return of the detained citizens, including the former senator.

Dar further mentioned that Pakistan has sought the support of a prominent European nation to intervene in the matter and help bring back its nationals who were on the flotillas taken into Israeli custody.

During his speech, DPM Dar also remarked about the recent controversy regarding columnist Shama Junejo’s appearance at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session on September 24, where she was seated right behind Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

He explained that her name was not part of the “Letter of Credence” he had signed for the country’s official delegation attending the UNGA. At the same time, he mentioned that a separate roster prepared for the Prime Minister’s accompanying team, which included security staff, personal assistants, and speechwriters, did carry her name.

Junejo, who previously drew attention for her pro-Israel remarks on social media, asserted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally tasked her with drafting his UNGA speech and ensured her inclusion in the delegation under the designation of adviser.

Earlier at the beginning of the sitting, prayers were offered for those who passed away, including security personnel who laid down their lives while defending the country. The prayer was led by Ali Muhammad Khan.

The NA session was later adjourned until Monday at 5pm.