Pakistan has withdrawn its support for the Gaza peace plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump. The country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, confirmed on Tuesday that the plan differed significantly from the proposals of eight other Muslim nations. Dar highlighted that Trump’s plan failed to include key elements such as a ceasefire, humanitarian aid provisions, and the cessation of forced displacement, prompting Pakistan to reverse its initial support.
Dar clarified that the plan did not originate from Pakistan. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously expressed support for the plan just hours before a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu at the White House, welcoming the 20-point plan aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.
Trump, during a White House press conference on September 29, had announced the peace plan, asserting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir fully endorsed it. However, Pakistan’s concerns grew as details of the plan were published on the White House website, leading to the subsequent distancing by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
This shift raises questions regarding the underlying causes. Was Pakistan’s initial support premature, or did changes made following Netanyahu’s input influence the decision? Another factor to consider is potential internal political pressures within Pakistan.
The plan and its endorsement encountered open criticism from both Pakistani leaders and social media users. A report in the ‘Times of Israel’ indicated that Netanyahu had secured some modifications to the agreement during his meeting with Trump, including conditional Israeli troop withdrawals and the later inclusion of a proposed security zone.
Speaking in Islamabad on Tuesday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar stated that the American plan had been amended due to Netanyahu’s involvement, adding conditions. One such condition was the surrender of Hamas before Israel would withdraw. Dar added that two Arab nations, including Qatar, had given assurances that Hamas would accept the agreement.
‘I want to make it clear that Pakistan is not going to be a part of any agreement,’ Dar said. ‘Our policy remains the same; we will not recognize Israel. Our goal is to provide humanitarian aid, stop the bloodshed, and protect the West Bank.’