A key meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers on the Gaza situation was held in Istanbul, Turkiye, where Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar represented Pakistan.
The session focused on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the need for a lasting ceasefire, and a roadmap for peace in the region.
Dar reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance that only the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state -- based on pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital -- can ensure lasting peace in the Middle East.
Pakistan’s firm stance on Palestine
Speaking at the conference, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering position on the Palestinian issue, emphasizing that the dispute must be resolved in line with the resolutions of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
He said Pakistan has consistently supported the Palestinian cause and believes that peace in the region is impossible without justice for the Palestinian people. “An independent and sovereign Palestinian state is indispensable for lasting regional peace,” Dar said.
Agreement on Gaza reconstruction
The foreign ministers agreed on the urgent need for the reconstruction of Gaza, calling for comprehensive humanitarian support for the war-torn region.
Delegates held detailed consultations on achieving a sustainable ceasefire and developing a joint plan of action for lasting peace. Participants also condemned Israel’s continuous ceasefire violations and demanded immediate and uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
The meeting further called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Palestinian territories, stressing that peace cannot be achieved without ending the occupation.
UN mandate for Gaza force still in works
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said countries are still working on a UN Security Council mandate for an international stabilisation force in Gaza, and will decide on any troop deployments once a framework is complete.
Fidan spoke after he and ministers from several Muslim-majority countries met in Istanbul to discuss the fragile US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, as Hamas and Israel trade accusations of violations.
Some of the countries that met, which also included Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia and Turkiye, could contribute to the force envisioned to monitor the truce.
The leaders of the seven countries had met US President Donald Trump in New York in September, shortly before Israel and Hamas agreed on his ceasefire plan. The Istanbul talks also focused on the humanitarian situation in the enclave.
Fidan told a press conference there were some issues in fully implementing the agreement because Israel was regularly violating it, adding Israel must fulfil its duty to allow in sufficient aid.
Israel has said it is committed to Trump's plan and that Palestinian group Hamas has not upheld its agreement to return the remaining bodies of hostages.
Talks on stabilisation force continue
NATO member Turkiye has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel's two-year assault on Gaza, calling it a genocide, which Israel denies.
With US urging, it has emerged as a key player in ceasefire efforts, helping to mediate the deal and voicing a desire to join task forces to monitor its implementation.
However, Israel has voiced its opposition to such Turkish involvement.
Asked about what role Turkiye wanted to play, Fidan said countries are seeking to give a definition and "legitimacy" to the mission.
"They will decide, based on the contents of this definition, whether to send soldiers or not," he said.
The Gaza truce, which left issues such as the disarmament of Palestinian militant group Hamas and a timeline for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza unresolved, has been tested by periodic violence since coming into force on October 10.
Fidan said Turkiye wanted to see Palestinians ensure their own security and manage their own governance after the war, but that there were other steps that needed to be taken first.
Ishaq Dar meets Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
On the sidelines of the conference, Ishaq Dar met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The two leaders reaffirmed the strong bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkiye, expressing a shared commitment to enhance cooperation in political, economic, and defense sectors.
Both ministers also agreed to continue close coordination on regional and global issues, especially efforts to bring peace to Palestine and Gaza. They expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, pledging continued moral, diplomatic, and humanitarian support.
During the meeting, Dar and Fidan reiterated their determination to work jointly for a permanent resolution of the Palestinian crisis. Both sides acknowledged the urgency of international unity in addressing the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
The Foreign Office in Islamabad stated that Pakistan will continue to play an active role in advocating for Palestinian rights and supporting global initiatives aimed at ending Israeli aggression and rebuilding Gaza.
