JEDDAH/ ISLAMABAD: Amid escalating Israeli military operations in Gaza, Pakistan presented a comprehensive seven-point peace plan during the extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah on Sunday, calling for tangible action from Muslim nations to address the humanitarian crisis.
The OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers convened on August 25–26 as Israel pushed ahead with plans for the full occupation of Gaza, a move recently greenlit by its security cabinet under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan has triggered widespread condemnation globally, with calls for restraint and respect for international law.
Leading Pakistan’s delegation, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar strongly denounced what he described as Israel’s “systematic, calculated, and deliberate violations” of international humanitarian law. He highlighted the killing of over 60,000 Palestinians and accused Israel of indiscriminately targeting hospitals, UN facilities, schools, aid convoys, and refugee camps in acts of collective punishment.
Calling the situation in Palestine a “litmus test” for the so-called rules-based international order, Dar warned that continued global silence would legitimize impunity and weaken the foundations of international governance.
He presented Pakistan’s seven-point proposal, which included:
- Immediate and unconditional ceasefire throughout Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2735.
- Uninterrupted humanitarian access to all affected civilians, with protection for aid workers, UN staff, and medical teams. Dar noted Pakistan has already sent relief supplies to Gaza.
- Renewed global support for UNRWA, the primary agency assisting Palestinian refugees. He urged the OIC to mobilize backing for its efforts.
- Cessation of forced displacement and illegal settlements, especially in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Dar labeled Israel’s plan to occupy Gaza City as an erasure of Palestinian identity.
- Implementation of an OIC- and Arab-led reconstruction framework for Gaza’s post-conflict rebuilding.
- Revival of a genuine, time-bound peace process, focused on a fair two-state solution.
- Legal accountability for Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Dar also condemned recent statements by the Israeli leadership advocating for a “Greater Israel,” calling them dangerous and revealing of Israel’s expansionist intent. He described the proposed military takeover of Gaza as part of a broader annexationist agenda.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s historical stance, Dar reiterated that Pakistan does not recognize Israel and supports the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders and international consensus.
“These provocative statements and aggressive policies are worsening an already dire humanitarian situation and directly undermining international peace initiatives,” Dar said.
He concluded by calling for Muslim unity and decisive action:
“This is a pivotal moment for the Muslim world. History will not remember our words, it will remember our actions. The Palestinian people need more than expressions of sympathy; they need real steps toward ending their suffering and achieving freedom. The OIC must respond with unity, strength, and determination.”
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