Sharif backs Trump’s Gaza ceasefire blueprint, day after FM Dar rejects it

Pakistan sends mixed signals on Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

Pakistan’s stance on US President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan appeared to shift dramatically within 24 hours, with conflicting statements from the country’s top leadership.

On Friday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar rejected the proposal, saying it diverged from the blueprint originally put forward by eight Muslim-majority nations. But a day later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the plan as a step towards peace in war-torn Gaza.

“Alhamdolillah, we are closer to a ceasefire than we have been since this genocide was launched on the Palestinian people," said Sharif in a post on X.

He thanked Trump and leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt and Indonesia for efforts to broker peace.

“The statement issued by Hamas creates a window for a ceasefire and ensuring peace that we must not allow to close again. InshaAllah, Pakistan will continue to work with all its partners and brotherly nations to everlasting peace in Palestine," he added.

Sharif’s remarks came after Hamas signaled conditional acceptance of parts of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which seeks to end nearly two years of conflict. Hamas said it was willing to release hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack and cede power to other Palestinian groups, though key disagreements remain.

Trump’s plan calls for a ceasefire and return of hostages within 72 hours, creation of a transitional Palestinian administration, oversight by international and Arab peacekeeping forces, a phased Israeli withdrawal linked to hostage releases, a roadmap to redevelop a “New Gaza”. The plan also proposes a “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in an advisory role.

Meanwhile, Dar told parliament that Trump’s published version was not what Muslim leaders had agreed on during their September 22 meeting in New York.

“These 20 points are not the same as ours. Changes have been made,” he said.

According to Dar, the original Muslim proposal demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a “just peace based on the two-state solution.” He added that Trump had personally assured Muslim leaders he would block any Israeli annexation of the West Bank.

Dar highlighted that Pakistan’s core position remains unchanged: it will never recognise Israel and continues to back a Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al Sharif) as its capital. He also confirmed the plan envisions deployment of international peacekeepers, with Pakistan considering whether to contribute troops.