Web desk: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that any decision about sending Pakistani troops to join a “peace-keeping force” in Gaza would rest with the country’s leadership.
He added that Palestinian law enforcement would remain operating on the ground.
He was responding to a question on whether Pakistan would take part in a peace plan for Gaza announced a day earlier by US President Trump.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Dar also recalled President Trump’s meeting with Muslim leaders last week on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 80th session.
Leaders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Turkiye and Indonesia took part in the discussion, which focused on ways to end the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Dar began his remarks by outlining the engagements of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and himself on the sidelines of the UNGA session.
He explained that the visit had two main purposes: the first purpose being to take part in UNGA activities, and the second purpose being to work with “like-minded countries” on efforts to ease the suffering of Palestinians as part of the wider “Muslim ummah”.
“The prime minister was very clear (about it). We had had consultations before leaving (for the US) as well. And eight countries, including Pakistan, agreed to take up this matter very proactively with President Trump during the US visit,” Dar said.
He went on to say that a preparatory meeting was arranged before the leaders’ session with Trump.
According to him, the talks with US President Trump focused on seeking a ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring that humanitarian aid could reach the area without obstacles. And stopping the forced displacement of Palestinians, arranging for the return of those already displaced, planning for Gaza’s reconstruction, and preventing Israel from annexing the West Bank.
