Pakistan has no plans to recognise Israel: Dar

NEW YORK: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan has no plans to recognise Israel.

Speaking at a press conference in New York, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s strong support for the two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. He said Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories must end immediately for peace to be possible in the region, local media reported.

With India-Pakistan ceasefire holding, DPM Dar reiterated Islamabad’s interest in a “composite dialogue” with New Delhi to discuss all outstanding issues between the two South Asian countries.

Responding to a question about his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington last week, he said that while military-to-military communications were taking place, there was no contact on the political side.

A political dialogue, the DPM/FM said, will ultimately have to take place to resolve the problems between the two countries.

Dar was asked about any follow-up on Rubio’s statement on May 10 that India and Pakistan have agreed to hold talks at a “neutral site” following a period of escalating tensions.

He said that the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere in which they discussed a wide range of issues.

Pakistan, he said, made absolutely clear that without a resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the United Nations resolutions, there will no durable peace in the region. Pakistan was ready for dialogue with India, he said, adding that Pakistan seeks a composite dialogue that includes Kashmir as well as other issues, including Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). At the same time, Dar said Pakistan remains alert and keeping a close watch on the situation.

In this regard, he praised the army chief Field Marshal Syed Asif Munir during the standoff with India. Replying to another question, the DPM/FM said he had invited Secretary Rubio to visit Pakistan. He also emphasized the IWT cannot be suspended. On relations with Afghanistan, Dar highlighted Pakistan’s outreach to Afghanistan, a neighbouring Muslim country, with a view to enhancing regional connectivity through rail and trade corridors to Central Asia. Pakistan’s relations with Iran have also greatly improved, he said.

“I am fully satisfied with the role Pakistan played in enhancing its relations with Iran,” he added.