Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday reiterated that Pakistan backs a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, adding Islamabad will not join the Abraham Accords, as this will effectively mean abandoning the country’s longstanding position.
“We are not ready to recognize Israel until the two-state solution to the Palestine conflict is accepted,” he told a press conference at the Foreign Office in Islamabad. “There is no change in our stated policy on the Palestine issue,” he added.
Dar, who also serves as deputy prime minister, stressed signing the Abraham Accords would be tantamount to abandoning Pakistan’s longstanding demand for a Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, based on the pre-1967 borders. “Let it be clear to everyone that our seven-decades-long policy remains unchanged,” he said.
On the public criticism about Pakistan’s nomination of U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize hours before Washington bombed Iran, the minister said it was a joint civil-military decision. “The decision to nominate President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize was in the context of his role in the India-Pakistan conflict and his statements on the Kashmir issue,” he said. “It was a collective decision by the civil-military leadership. I signed the letter on June 11, days before the Iran-Israel war began. The prime minister’s approval was obviously part of the process,” he added.
Indian claims
Reacting to Indian officials’ repeated claims that Pakistan had sought a ceasefire during last month’s conflict, Dar reiterated that Islamabad had neither asked for a ceasefire, nor dialogue. “If India wants talks, we are ready. But we are a dignified nation, we won’t beg. Pakistan is prepared to talk on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir and terrorism, at any venue, but in a respectful manner. The ball is in their court. It takes two to tango,” he said.