Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday categorically stated that the 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan announced by US President Donald Trump was not the same as the draft prepared by Muslim countries, including Pakistan. He stressed during a National Assembly session that changes had been made to the original proposal.
“The 20-point [Gaza peace plan] made public by President Trump is truly not ours. Alterations have been introduced to the draft we had submitted,” Ishaq Dar said.
The 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan, unveiled by Trump after consultations with leaders of eight Muslim countries, included a ceasefire, a hostage-prisoner swap, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas disarmament, and the creation of a transitional government under an international body. The countries involved in the talks were Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey, and Indonesia.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier welcomed Trump’s announcement, calling peace between Palestinians and Israel essential for stability and growth. However, Ishaq Dar later clarified that Pakistan’s position remained aligned with the collective draft of Muslim nations, not with Trump’s altered version.
Explaining the background, Dar said Muslim countries engaged the US because international bodies such as the UN, UNSC, and OIC had failed to stop the war in Gaza. He revealed that multiple meetings were held in Qatar’s embassy, including one with Trump’s team, where Muslim countries agreed on a framework but Washington eventually announced its own version.
Dar noted that Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister later informed him that while some of their urgent suggestions were included, others were left out. The Muslim bloc then faced a choice: continue negotiations or allow the 20-point plan to move forward and issue a joint statement. Dar said he supported the latter option.
Responding to criticism over PM Shehbaz’s welcoming statement, Dar explained that the premier had simply responded to Trump’s social media post without full details of the alterations. He reassured the assembly that Pakistan’s Palestine policy remains unchanged and continues to follow the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
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On other matters, Dar also addressed the detention of ex-Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, who was reportedly among activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla seized by Israel. Pakistan, he said, has engaged a European country diplomatically to secure his release.
Commenting on Pakistan’s Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia, Dar remarked that if more countries joined, it could evolve into an “Eastern NATO,” ensuring collective security in the region.
