Marco Rubio and Ishaq Dar meet as Islamabad firmly rejects claims of endorsing Abraham Accords despite Washington engagement talks
By Amjad Qaimkhani
WASHINGTON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has firmly rejected speculation that Pakistan may join the Abraham Accords, reiterating that Islamabad’s position on Palestine and Israel remains unchanged until an independent Palestinian state is established with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Occupied East Jerusalem) as its capital.
Speaking at a media briefing at Pakistan’s Embassy in Washington on Friday after his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Dar said there could be “no flexibility” in Pakistan’s longstanding policy on the Palestinian issue.
Addressing reports and speculation surrounding Pakistan’s possible participation in the Abraham Accords, Dar said a number of questions and rumours had been circulating in recent days. “There are a lot of rumours going on related to the Abraham Accords. Let me make it clear that Pakistan’s stance is very clear and consistent on that,” he said.
Dar emphasised that Pakistan’s policy has remained unchanged for years and is based on the recognition of an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders. “Until Palestine is recognised with the pre-1967 model and Quds Al Sharif becomes its capital, there will be no flexibility on this issue,” he said.
The deputy prime minister said Pakistan remains steadfast in its support for Palestine and Gaza, stressing that Israel must move towards the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state before any change in Islamabad’s position towards Israel can be considered. “Pakistan remains steadfast in its position on Palestine and Gaza,” Dar told reporters.
Dar added that Israel “must move towards the establishment of a Palestinian state” before any shift in Pakistan’s policy regarding diplomatic relations with Israel could be considered. He noted that he had reiterated Pakistan’s position during his engagements at the United Nations earlier this week.
The issue surfaced during the press conference when Dar was asked whether US President Donald Trump had abandoned his calls for Muslim countries to join the Abraham Accords as part of a potential agreement involving Iran. The question arose after Trump did not mention the Abraham Accords in a statement released earlier on Friday outlining possible key elements of a future deal with Tehran.
