Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul on Monday to attend a crucial meeting hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The conference brings together foreign ministers from eight key Muslim countries — Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Indonesia, and Jordan — to discuss recent developments in Gaza.
Upon his arrival, Dar was received by Ambassador Ahmet Cemil Miroglu, Director General of Protocol at Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with officials from Pakistan’s Embassy in Ankara.
According to diplomatic sources, the meeting aims to finalize a joint strategy to ensure the Gaza ceasefire’s full implementation and the smooth delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians. The participants will also review Israel’s ongoing aggression and repeated violations of the truce agreement.
Pakistan to Reaffirm Support for Palestine
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan would reiterate its firm support for the Gaza ceasefire and demand the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied Palestinian territories. He added that Pakistan remains committed to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Dar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UAE on the sidelines of the conference to strengthen regional cooperation.
Türkiye Proposes Gaza Task Force and Reconstruction Plan
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters that the Istanbul conference will explore forming a “Gaza Task Force” and a “Stabilisation Force” to oversee ceasefire implementation and reconstruction efforts. He noted that Israel continues to obstruct humanitarian operations in Gaza, despite the US-brokered truce.
Since the ceasefire began, at least 236 Palestinians have been killed and over 600 injured in renewed Israeli attacks.
