Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has ruled out the possibility of Pakistan recognizing Israel, asserting that Islamabad maintains a consistent and principled stance on the Palestinian issue.

Speaking at a media briefing in the New York, Mr Dar said Pakistan had no programme to recognize Israel and reiterated Islamabad's commitment to supporting the rights of the Palestinian people.

“We issued an official statement at the time of the attack on Iran — having diplomatic relations does not mean endorsing what is wrong,” he said.

The deputy prime minister’s remarks come amid renewed global calls for the two-state solution in the Middle East and efforts by Western powers to broker a lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

Mr Dar emphasised that now is the time for the international community to grant full membership to the State of Palestine at the United Nations.

Support for Palestine

Addressing a high-level conference on the Israel-Palestine issue held at the UN headquarters, Mr Dar called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, uninterrupted humanitarian access, accountability for war crimes, and an end to crimes against humanity.

He noted that the conflict has persisted for over 75 years and criticised the international community’s failure to resolve the issue. “This is not just a political failure; it is a humanitarian one,” Mr Dar said, adding that the killing of innocent civilians is a flagrant violation of international law.

He welcomed France’s decision to recognize the Palestinian state and praised both France and Saudi Arabia for jointly hosting the conference. Pakistan, he reiterated, will continue to support the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.

India talks and regional stability

On regional matters, the deputy prime minister stressed that dialogue with India must be comprehensive. “There will be no talks on a single issue. Our stance is clear — dialogue must cover all matters of concern,” he said, adding that a ceasefire was currently being maintained along the Line of Control.

He also cautioned that neither side could unilaterally walk away from international agreements like the Indus Waters Treaty, which has long been a cornerstone of water-sharing between the two South Asian neighbours.

Terrorism and legal matters

Touching upon internal security, Mr Dar said Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir was fully prepared to lead operations against terrorists threatening Pakistan’s stability. “The state will take decisive action against those who take up arms against it,” he said.

When asked about the legal proceedings against PTI founder Imran Khan, Mr Dar maintained that the government had not initiated any new cases. “These matters are being dealt with by the courts. Once you defy the state and violate the law, consequences follow,” he said.

Separately, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed the conference, calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza. He warned that the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave had reached catastrophic levels and demanded unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.