No plan to recognise Israel; Dar calls for UN membership for Palestine

Stressing the importance of granting Palestine full membership in the United Nations, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar took a firm stance, stating that Pakistan has no plans to recognise Israel and will continue its unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

Speaking at a UN Security Council conference focused on the two-state solution as a means to end the war between Palestine and Israel.

Dar welcomed France’s decision to recognise Palestine. He also urged the international community to grant full UN membership to the war-torn state, Palestine.

Dar stated that Pakistan believes the ongoing mass killings in Gaza, continuing for years, constitute a violation of international law. 

He emphasised that this series of crimes against humanity must be stopped and that those responsible for the devastation in Gaza should be held accountable.

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Highlighting the long-standing nature of the conflict, he remarked, "The Palestinian issue has remained unresolved for more than 75 years. This is not merely a political failure; deeper systemic reasons are at play."

He called for a permanent ceasefire and immediate access to humanitarian aid and food supplies in Gaza.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Gaza has turned into a graveyard for international law and humanitarian principles where over 58,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in Israeli attacks.

Dar strongly condemned Israel’s actions, stating that its obstruction of aid, deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, and attacks on refugee camps, hospitals, and aid convoys have crossed every red line of law and humanity. "This collective punishment must end immediately," he demanded.

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Reiterating Pakistan’s position, Dar declared in clear terms that Pakistan has no intention of recognising Israel.

When asked about the Kashmir issue, he stated that he raised the matter alongside Palestine at every opportunity during his presidency of the UN Security Council. 

He added that any future dialogue with India must be comprehensive in nature. Pakistan is ready for such a dialogue whenever India is, he said, but stressed that India cannot unilaterally terminate the Indus Waters Treaty.