Calls for Ceasefire in Gaza Echo from Pakistan and Türkiye Ministers
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation on Monday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, during which both leaders emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The two leaders strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing atrocities in Gaza and expressed grave concern over the deepening humanitarian catastrophe, including starvation, forced displacement, and loss of innocent lives.
They underscored the urgency of unimpeded humanitarian aid, an immediate ceasefire, and united international efforts for a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace.
Expressing unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their just cause, they hoped for meaningful outcomes from the international conference on the implementation of the two-state solution, being held today at the UN.
Earlier, Ishaq Dar spoke telephonically with Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Both leaders discussed the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza impacting millions of Palestinians.
The Deputy Prime Minster reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and called for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access.
On Sunday, Ishaq Dar said Pakistan fully support Palestinians’ right to self-determination specifically, the establishment of an independent and contiguous state of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, based on the pre-1967 borders.
In an interview with Arab News, Dar said, “Our stance has been consistently clear, and we adhere to it with unwavering commitment. We have openly condemned the oppressor and consistently called for accountability.”
He mentioned that a landmark conference, jointly chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, will be held on July 28-30 at the United Nations in New York, aiming to chart a path toward peace and a sovereign Palestinian state.
He said Pakistan extended unwavering support for this initiative and the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Delegates from key nations and international bodies will converge on the UN headquarters to discuss ceasefire arrangements, humanitarian access, reconstruction efforts and political recognition of Palestine.
While emphasizing Pakistan’s long-standing position on the Palestine issue, he said,
“The attempt by France and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is very appreciable. These two countries have taken this initiative, Pakistan has a clear foreign policy for decades on the Palestine issue.”
He said, “I hope that serious efforts are made during this event, first, to secure an immediate ceasefire, and second, to ensure the unhindered flow of food, humanitarian aid and medical assistance alongside progress toward the recognition of Palestine as an independent state.”
Acknowledging the devastating conditions in Gaza, Ishaq Dar described the conference’s potential success: “If we are able to achieve all these objectives, it will be a great success and a highly commendable contribution by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France.”
Beyond diplomatic support, Pakistan has been actively contributing to humanitarian relief. He detailed ongoing efforts: “Since the onset of this crisis nearly two years ago, we have been making efforts to send humanitarian consignments. Initially focused on Gaza, these efforts were later extended to Syria and Lebanon as well.”
