Ishaq Dar Urges Against Politicizing Gaza Efforts, Highlights PM’s Successful UN Visit
Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister **Ishaq Dar** has stressed that any positive steps taken regarding Gaza should not be turned into controversy, criticizing those attempting to politicize the issue.
Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, Dar said that Pakistan raised **India’s violation of the Indus Waters Treaty** at international forums, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly represented the **Muslim Ummah** at the **UN General Assembly**.
He noted that Palestine, Türkiye, and several other countries thanked the Prime Minister for highlighting the plight of Palestinians. As Foreign Minister, Dar said he held **nine high-level meetings** and over **20 bilateral engagements** during the UN visit.
The Deputy PM added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met **Donald Trump, Austria’s Chancellor, the World Bank President, and Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor**, among others, while Trump himself met leaders of **five Arab and three Islamic countries** to discuss ways to halt the ongoing war.
Dar highlighted that the Prime Minister’s **28-minute speech at the UNGA**, which addressed Israel’s atrocities in Palestine and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, gained significant traction on social media.
He also attended the **OIC’s six-member committee meeting on Palestine**, calling for an immediate ceasefire and addressing hurdles in delivering humanitarian aid.
According to Dar, the visit was “highly successful,” with Shehbaz Sharif also meeting IMF officials. He added that **Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Türkiye, and five other countries** issued a joint statement welcoming the **Palestinian peace initiative**, which the Palestinian Authority also appreciated.
Concluding, Dar said: *“If something good has been achieved, it should not be made controversial. I thank Allah that Pakistan is among the eight countries raising a strong voice against oppression. Unfortunately, some people here are politicizing even this.”*
