Overview
- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is tasked to negotiate the release and repatriation of Pakistanis held after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud/Global Freedom Flotilla, including former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan.
- Pakistan’s Foreign Office welcomed Hamas’ response to President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan as an opportunity for an immediate ceasefire, hostage and prisoner releases, and unhindered aid.
- Dar held calls with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to coordinate ceasefire efforts, and invited the Egyptian minister to visit Islamabad.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan does not recognise Israel and supports a Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds/Jerusalem as the capital.
- Facing pressure at home, Jamaat-e-Islami staged a large rally in Lahore demanding the detainees’ immediate release, rejecting a two-state formula, and voicing strong support for Hamas.