Doha – In a sharp warning at the Emergency Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, offered a concise insight into the repercussions of the recent attack on Qatar by Israel.
Dar, in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, termed the strike a “cowardly act” and a “flagrant violation of international laws,” and urged the 57-member Muslim bloc to leave the tough talk and engage in solid and collective action.
The summit was held following an unprecedented Israeli attack on the Qatari capital, which, according to Dar, was a clear sign of “rogue attitude of an aggressor”.
He cited a history of Israeli aggression towards Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, and said that the attack on Qatar, which is one of the main mediators in the Gaza conflict, was an intentional effort to derail all efforts and ensure that there is no peaceful solution.
“They perhaps don’t want peace to take place,” he said.
The Call for a Concrete Roadmap
Although he recognized the significance of the summit as a direct reaction to the attack, Dar emphasized that a simple declaration would not be enough.
“The Ummah is expecting now…a very clear roadmap,” he stated.
He indicated that Pakistan had presented the leaders with a seven-point proposal to consider, adding that when dialogue and diplomacy fail, as it has during the last two years in Gaza, a concrete action must be taken.
He described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as dire, noting that over 60,000 people have died in the past two years.
Dar claimed that the urgent requirements are an “unconditional” ceasefire and “unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance.”
The Role of a Nuclear-Powered Pakistan
As the top diplomat of the world’s only nuclear-armed Muslim country, Dar was questioned about Pakistan’s role.
He declared that Pakistan was a member of the Muslim Ummah and that it would “discharge its duty”.
While clarifying that Pakistan’s nuclear capability is for deterrence and is not intended for use, he highlighted the country’s conventional military strength.
He also reiterated the warning of Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khwaja Asif, that the Gaza crisis will not remain limited to one area, implying that the conflict could spread if left unchecked.
On a question about whether Pakistan could be the next target, FM responded by saying that “We are ready, India tried, Israel, according to our information, gave full support, and the world saw, the claims all got exposed.”
He also added that “Pakistan believes in peace, nuclear-armed state do not wants destabilization in the region, because that will have consequences”.
Redefining Regional Security and Alliances
Dar also demanded serious changes in the multilateral system, especially the United Nations Security Council, which, he said, failed to implement its own decisions on Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir.
He claimed that aggressors are motivated by the absence of accountability.
He also advocated the concept of an integrated security mechanism in the region, akin to a NATO model of a collective security mechanism to prevent aggression and maintain peace.
When asked about a recent Israeli attempt to justify its actions by referencing the U.S. raid on the bin Laden compound in Pakistan, Dar dismissed it as a distraction.
He confirmed that Pakistan would never allow violation of its territorial integrity, regardless of the nation, and would retaliate against any form of aggression.
Domestic and Bilateral Issues
In the interview, Dar addressed Pakistan’s relations with its neighbours.
He said that Pakistan has plausible proof of the role of other nations in financing and funding terrorism in its territory.
Although he did not mention the countries, he reported that international agencies have been provided with the evidence.
He was resolute in the government’s commitment to “clean Pakistan from this terrorism.”
In reference to India, Dar said that the current water conflict was a grave matter and any move by India to give up the Indus Waters Treaty would be interpreted as an “act of war”.
He also confirmed that back-channel negotiations with India do not exist at the moment and that they needed to engage in a thorough discussion on all problems, including terrorism.
Dar indicated that Pakistan is ready to engage in dialogue, but “it takes two to tango”.
He also gave an update on the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan and said that bilateral relations have improved and that negotiations on trade and infrastructure are being made.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s only key demand is for the Afghan government to control and hand over terrorist elements.
