Islamabad, October 3, 2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday categorically distanced Pakistan from the 20-point Gaza peace plan unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump, stressing that the proposal was different from the draft prepared by Muslim countries, including Pakistan.
“The 20 points made public by President Trump are truly not ours — changes were made to our draft,” Dar told the National Assembly during a session.
Trump’s plan, announced after his meeting with leaders of eight Muslim countries — Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and Indonesia — calls for a ceasefire, a swap of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas disarmament, and the formation of a transitional administration under international oversight.
Hours before the announcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had welcomed Trump’s initiative, calling durable peace between Palestinians and Israel vital for regional stability. Since then, however, Pakistan has clarified its position, with Dar reiterating that the American proposal did not incorporate all of Islamabad’s suggestions.
Explaining the background, Dar said Muslim countries had sought to engage the U.S. as a last resort to halt the Gaza war, given the failures of the United Nations, its Security Council, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). “The plan was to engage President Trump together,” he noted, calling Gaza “the graveyard of global consciousness.”
According to Dar, Trump promised Muslim leaders during the 80th UNGA session that his team would develop a workable proposal within 72 hours. This was followed by a discreet meeting at Qatar’s embassy where Washington’s 20-point draft was shared and subsequently discussed among Muslim countries. After three rounds of consultations, a joint draft by the eight states was presented to Washington.
However, Dar said the version announced by Trump differed from that draft. He added that Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister later informed him that while some urgent suggestions had been accepted, gaps remained. Two options were then discussed: continuing negotiations, which risked giving Israel more time for its military operations, or allowing the 20-point plan to proceed with a joint statement. Dar said he agreed with the latter.
Addressing criticism of PM Shehbaz’s initial endorsement, Dar explained that the premier had only responded broadly to Trump’s social media announcement while in transit, without knowing the details of the final plan.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance, Dar assured lawmakers that its policy on Palestine remains unchanged and consistent with the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Ex-Senator Mushtaq’s detention
Dar also updated the House on the detention of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Among them, he confirmed, was former Pakistani Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, though information remained unverified.
“We have engaged a third influential European country to use its diplomatic channels for his release,” Dar said, noting that Ahmed was the only Pakistani on board. So far, he added, there has been no progress but further updates are expected by Sunday.
Shama Junejo controversy
Commenting on the presence of columnist Shama Junejo at the September 24 UNSC session, seated directly behind Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Dar clarified that her name was not included in the official delegation’s “Letter of Credence.” However, she was listed in the Prime Minister’s broader entourage, which also covered advisers, staff, and security.
Junejo, who has previously made pro-Israel social media posts, claims PM Shehbaz personally tasked her with drafting his UNGA speech and added her to the delegation as an adviser.
Defence pact with Saudi Arabia
On Pakistan’s Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia, Dar said the deal had attracted interest from other states during the UNGA. “If more countries join, it could become an ‘Eastern NATO’,” he remarked. The pact stipulates that any aggression against either Islamabad or Riyadh will be treated as aggression against both.
