Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar declared that Pakistan will not recognize Israel, emphasizing unwavering support for the Palestinian cause during a press conference in New York. Speaking on the sidelines of a United Nations conference focused on the two-state solution, Dar highlighted Pakistan’s firm stance on both the Palestine and Kashmir issues.

Pakistan’s Stance on Palestine

At the UN conference, co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, Dar delivered a powerful statement, condemning Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

“Pakistan fully supports the two-state solution,” he asserted, stressing that the occupation must end to achieve lasting peace. He described the Gaza crisis as a “graveyard for international law” and a moral failure of the global community.

Dar demanded unimpeded humanitarian aid, accountability for Israel’s war crimes, and recognition of Palestine as a full UN member based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Kashmir Issue

Dar also drew attention to the Kashmir dispute, calling it a core issue for regional stability. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to resolving the Jammu and Kashmir conflict in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

“No cosmetic measures can substitute for the fundamental right to self-determination,” he said, criticizing India’s unilateral actions, including its suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.

Dar warned that any attempt to block Pakistan’s water share would be tantamount to a declaration of war, underscoring the treaty’s binding nature.

U.S. Talks and Calls for Dialogue with India

Reflecting on his recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington, Dar described the discussions as “very productive.”

The talks covered bilateral ties, trade cooperation, counterterrorism, and regional stability. Dar praised U.S. efforts in facilitating the India-Pakistan ceasefire in May 2025.

Pakistan denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack and called for an impartial probe into the matter.

Dar also reiterated Pakistan’s openness to “composite dialogue” with India to address all outstanding issues, including Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty.

“Even when we offered a ceasefire to India, we extended a call for dialogue,” he said.