ISLAMABAD:  Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the 20-point Gaza peace plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump does not fully reflect the proposals presented by Muslim countries.

Addressing the National Assembly, Dar highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that “people are dying of hunger, and the UN, European Union, and other international institutions have failed to establish peace.”

He said that discussions with President Trump focused on a single-point agenda of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, after which eight Muslim countries collectively presented 20 points and issued a joint statement.

“However,” Dar added, “the 20 points later announced by President Trump were not exactly the same as those we submitted — changes were made.”

The Foreign Minister added, “This is not the draft we have prepared and has explained in the Foreign Office briefing in this regard and we will focus on the draft we have developed by 8 Muslim countries”.

Ishaq Dar said that full ceasefire is essential in Gaza and Gaza should be rebuilt, it is not our personal problem. It is the responsibility of the Islamic countries. “There is no room for politics on the Palestine issue; our stance on Palestine remains the same as that of Quaid-e-Azam” he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that one of our senators was also aboard the Sumud Flotilla. We have no ties or contact with Israel. Israel has seized 22 boats and detained the people on board. According to our information, Senator Mushtaq Ahmad is among those detained.

He further stated that China has always stood by us whenever needed — our relationship with China was, is, and will remain strong. The defence agreement signed with Saudi Arabia is also of great significance, and our decades-long relations with Saudi Arabia are no secret.