��������

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar this week pushed for “universal recognition” of the state of Palestine and its full membership at the United Nations (UN), calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at a UN summit held to discuss the two-state solution in the Middle East. 

Dar was speaking at a high-level UN conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution which opened on Monday. The conference was co-chaired by �������� and France. 

The summit brought together UN member states, observers and regional stakeholders. It featured plenary discussions and thematic roundtables on issues ranging from security arrangements and humanitarian response to reconstruction and economic viability. The conference was held at a time when the world is pushing for peace in the Middle East, where Israel has killed over 58,000 people in Gaza since October 7, 2023, through various military offensives. 

Speaking at the conference on Monday, Dar said the prolonged injustice in Palestine was not only a political failure but a “moral stain – and a persistent threat to international peace and security.”

“Ensure universal recognition of the State of Palestine and its full UN membership,” Dar said. “We welcome France’s decision to recognize the state of Palestine and encourage other countries who have not done so far, to extend recognition and contribute to this global momentum for Palestinian statehood.”

Dar was referring to French President Emmanuel Macron’s plans to formally recognize Palestine, with the official declaration expected during the UN General Assembly in September. France would be the first G7 country to do so, and could influence a broader European recognition trend.

As of early this year, about 147 of the 193 UN member states had officially recognized the State of Palestine, representing about 75 percent of the international community. They include the majority of African, Asian and Latin American countries. Several European nations also recently joined the list, including Norway, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Armenia, as have the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados.

Dar, who also serves as Pakistan’s foreign minister, demanded an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza and other Palestinian territories. He commended the efforts of Qatar, the United States, Egypt and �������� in this regard. The Pakistani minister pushed for “full and unimpeded” humanitarian access, especially life-saving food and medicine, for the people of Palestine and protection of relief teams in Gaza. 

“Fourth, international accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity,” he said. “Impunity must end; fifth, the reinvigoration of a genuine and irreversible political process to end the occupation and realize the two-state solution.”

Dar said Pakistan is willing to extend technical assistance and capacity building support to Palestine in key sectors such as public administration, health, education and service delivery, in coordination with the Palestinian leadership. He said Pakistan is prepared to contribute to the building of institutions, including through participation in the Arab-OIC Plan, and any international protection mechanism.

“The occupation must end, and end now. It is time for freedom, self-determination and statehood, and Palestine’s full membership of the UN,” Dar said. “That will be the best guarantee for lasting peace in the region.”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty on Monday held a meeting in New York, where they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense, trade and other key sectors, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a high-level United Nations (UN) summit on Palestine, which is being co-chaired by �������� and France on July 28-29.

Appreciating the continued collaboration at multilateral fora, FM Abdelatty congratulated Pakistan on assuming the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of July.

“The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing broad-based cooperation across various sectors, including medical, minerals, defense, trade, and investment,” the Pakistan foreign ministry said.

“They agreed on the need to strengthen connectivity between Pakistan and Egypt to promote economic integration and facilitate greater trade. Both sides also agreed to undertake high-level exchanges in the near future.”

Pakistan and Egypt have cordial ties and both countries have resolved in recent years to facilitate businessmen with visas, exchange trade-related information and promote private-sector contacts.

During Monday’s meeting, the two foreign ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their just cause, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.

“The two ministers underscored the urgent need for unimpaired humanitarian access, an immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities, and expressed hope for a meaningful and constructive outcome of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution,” it added.

The UN conference is being held at a time of worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza and France’s historic decision to formally recognize Palestine as a state.

The summit takes place a day after Israel declared a “tactical pause” in fighting in parts of Gaza, where more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, saying it would allow the UN and aid agencies to open secure land routes to tackle a deepening hunger crisis.

Analysts say France’s move could tip the balance internationally. Already, 147 of 193 UN member states — nearly 75 percent — recognize Palestine, including nearly all of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. France would be the first G7 country to join that group, with the official declaration to be made at the UN General Assembly in September.