Just days after Pakistan officially opened its arms to U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace initiative, the nation's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has recanted, going back on Islamabad's initial stance.
Addressing the National Assembly on Friday, Dar contended that Trump's 20-point plan differed from the draft accepted by Muslim countries.
"I made it clear that the 20 points that President Trump made public are not ours. Changes were made to our draft. I have the record," "Dawn" quoted him as saying. He added, "This is the end result, and there is no room for politicking."
His statement came minutes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had publicly supported Trump's proposal to put an end to the Gaza war, which was met with harsh criticism at home.
On an X post, Sharif had posted: "I am also convinced that durable peace between the Palestinian people and Israel would be essential in bringing political stability and economic growth to the region. It is also my firm belief that President Trump is fully prepared to assist in whatever way necessary to make this extremely important and urgent understanding to become a reality."
He also appreciated Trump's leadership, saying, "I laud President Trump’s leadership and the vital role played by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in bringing an end to this war. I also strongly believe that the implementation of the two State proposal is essential to ensure lasting peace in the region."
Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt had issued a joint statement welcoming Trump's peace initiative earlier this week.
"The ministers affirm their readiness to engage positively and constructively with the United States and the parties toward finalising the agreement and ensuring its implementation, in a manner that ensures peace, security, and stability for the peoples of the region," the statement read.
The 20-point U.S. plan, unveiled at the White House during Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lays out conditions to end the Israel-Hamas war.
Addressing the media alongside Netanyahu, Trump said: "Now it's time for Hamas to accept the terms of the plan that we’ve put forward today. I’m hearing Hamas wants to get this done."
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