Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has once again signalled that Pakistan is ready to contribute troops to a Gaza peacekeeping force if required, but categorically rejected rumours that its forces would play any role in disarming Hamas.
“A new claim is being floated that this stabilisation force will disarm Hamas. We will provide our force if required, but there will be further consultations, and our force will in no case be used to disarm Hamas,” said Dar during a news briefing at Foreign Office in Islamabad on Saturday.
Dar said that discussions on a proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza began in the United States, and Islamabad had earlier indicated it was open to examining the idea. He said Pakistan later suggested that any such force should be created under an international body, adding that Islamabad has already formed a separate eight‑nation group dedicated to Gaza.
“Pakistan supported steps aimed at improving security and humanitarian conditions in the enclave but stressed that the mandate of any mission must be clear and internationally agreed,” he added.
‘Either hand over TTP to us or relocate them far away’
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Dar said that the UN had approached Pakistan “yesterday” to request the restoration of food and humanitarian supplies to Afghanistan.
“I have spoken to the head of the armed forces, and I will soon speak to the prime minister,” he said. “Very soon, keeping in view the suffering of ordinary Afghan people, we will allow the resumption of humanitarian aid and food supplies. This permission will be granted purely on humanitarian grounds.”
Dar said that Pakistan had made repeated and sincere efforts to improve ties with Afghanistan, but warned that Islamabad had now reached a point of “helplessness” in the face of continued cross-border terrorists attacks.
