DPM Dar supports Palestinian cause, urges peace between US, Iran on sidelines of UNGA

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday expressed his support for an independent Palestinian state and called for dialog to resolve tensions between the United States (US) and Iran, the foreign office said as he met various leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) 81st summit in New York.

Dar, also Pakistan’s foreign minister, arrived in New York Monday for the UNGA conference. He would be accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to New York for attending the UNGA, till Sept 25.

He is visiting amid upheaval in the Middle East. Tensions between the US and Iran remain high, with no diplomatic breakthrough in sight. The growing number of strikes by Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia have interrupted global oil supply.

Last week, Pakistan’s foreign office said Dar would reiterate the Palestinian right to self-determination and underscore Islamabad’s efforts at the UNGA for regional peace. Since the confrontation began in February, Pakistan has played a significant role in mediating between the US and Iran, shuttling offers for peace between the two parties over the previous few months.

Dar met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on the sidelines of the UNGA session where the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and regional developments.

“The DPM/FM appreciated French efforts in support of the two-State solution including the decision to restrict imports of goods from the Israeli settlements,” the Pakistani foreign office said.

“Both ministers stressed the need for keeping the Palestine issue high on the international agenda and emphasized the importance of continuing international efforts for a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement.

“Pakistan has always backed the demand for a separate and independent homeland for the Palestinians. Since 2023, Islamabad has denounced Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, urging the international community to hold Israel accountable for crimes against humanity.

The Pakistani minister also held talks with EU Foreign Policy Head Kaja Kallas. The two sides exchanged views on trade and economic cooperation, with Dar highlighting the importance of the GSP Plus for Islamabad’s trade relations with the EU.

They both talked about the US-Iran dispute and Dar spoke about Pakistan’s attempts for peace.

“He stressed the importance of returning to the path of dialog and diplomacy and to ensure full implementation of the Islamabad MoU by all sides,” the foreign office stated.

See the Islamabad MoU on interim peace pact that Islamabad helped the US and Iran sign as mediator in June. The pact fell apart in July when the US hit Iran over its fire at vessels on the Strait of Hormuz maritime waterway. Iran disputes the charges.
The Pakistani foreign office said the two ministers emphasized the need for conversation and diplomacy to address the regional concerns.

Dar’s commitments at the UN will include speaking at the UN Security Council high-level briefing on artificial intelligence and attending a high-level discussion on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The foreign office also confirmed last week that he will lead a meeting of the ECO Council of Ministers.