On July 28, 2025, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, took part in the UN High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in New York, where he delivered an important statement. The conference was co-chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France.
“For over 75 years the Palestinian people have endured occupation, displacement and denial of their fundamental rights including their inalienable right to self-determination.”
“This prolonged injustice is not just a political failure but a moral stain and a persistent threat to international peace and security. Today Gaza is a graveyard of international law and humanitarian principles.”
“The death and destruction inflicted by Israel including the killing of over 58,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children is an unconscionable breach of international humanitarian law, the United Nations resolutions and the binding measures of the International Court of Justice.”
“Blockade of aid, deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure including refugee camps, hospitals and aid convoys has crossed every red line of legality and humanity.”
“The collective punishment must stop now. We must immediately act with purpose. It is high time for credible and enforceable international action on the following key priorities.”
“First, an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire across Gaza and all occupied Palestinian territories. Resolution 2735 must be implemented. We commend the efforts of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and the United States.”
“Second, full and unimpeded humanitarian access especially of life saving food and medicines. Humanitarian teams must be protected.”
“Third, the financial and political support for UNRWA – a lifeline for millions of Palestinians.”
“Fourth, international accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Impunity must end.”
“Fifth, the inauguration of a genuine and irreversible political process to end the occupation of Palestine.”
“The Palestinian question is a test case for the United Nations and the world. Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering and principled support for the Palestinian people’s inalienable right of self-determination, including the right to a viable, independent and constructive state of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.”
“The outcome of this conference must deliver actionable commitments that
- reaffirm the centrality of the two-State solution as the only path to sustainable peace,
- demand Israel’s immediate withdrawal from Gaza and support its reconstruction as envisaged in resolution 2735 and the OIC Arab plan,
- support the OIC proposal to provide international protection to the Palestinian people to the deployment of an international protection mechanism and a timeline for building Palestinian institutional capacity and sovereignty,
- reject and halt any attempts to the forced displacement and demographic manipulation,
- oppose illegal Israeli settlements and annexations especially in West Bank and East Jerusalem. We unequivocally condemn the Israeli Parliament’s unlawful attempt to assert sovereignty over the Occupied West Bank,
- ensure the universal recognition of the state of Palestine and its full UN membership. We welcome France’s decision to recognize the state of Palestine and encourage other countries who have not done so far, to extend recognition and contribute to this global momentum for Palestinian statehood.”
“Pakistan stays ready to extend dedicated technical assistance and capacity building support towards Palestinian brothers and sisters in key sectors such as public administration, health, education and service delivery in accordance with the Palestinian leadership’s decision.”
“Pakistan is prepared to contribute to the building of institutions including through participation in the Arab OIC plan and any international protection mechanism.”
“Let me conclude by saying that justice delayed is justice denied. But when justice is denied for generations, the consequences are even graver. The question of Palestine has impacted the entire region and beyond. We must give hope to the Palestinian people. The occupation must end, and end now. It is time for freedom, self-determination and statehood, and Palestine’s full membership of the UN. That will be the best guarantee for lasting peace in the region.”
[Prepared based on video coverage.]
Photo: Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan © Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan, X.