ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday rallied diplomatic support for the Palestinian cause at a high-level ministerial meeting in Jordan, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar condemning Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem, backing a unified Arab-Islamic position on Jerusalem and holding a series of bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening regional coordination amid escalating tensions across the Middle East.

Addressing the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem in Amman, Dar condemned Israel's incursions into the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, warning that continued provocations threatened regional peace and could deepen instability across an already volatile Middle East.

"Pakistan condemns such Israeli actions and provocations in the strongest possible terms," Dar said.

"Israel has no sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites," he said, adding that all measures "seeking to alter their character or status are null and void and without any legal effect."

Dar also warned that "the world cannot allow Israel to drag the world into a wider conflict," calling for greater international efforts to preserve peace and stability.

The meeting came as Israel continues military aggression in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, while regional tensions remain elevated following Israeli military operations in Lebanon, Syria and Iran over the past two years. The latest conflict began after Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. Tel Aviv’s military response has since triggered one of the region's gravest humanitarian crises, drawing repeated international calls for a ceasefire, greater humanitarian access and renewed diplomatic efforts.

Pakistan has consistently supported the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Islamabad has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law, maintaining that a just resolution of the Palestinian issue remains essential for lasting peace in the Middle East.

Ministerial meeting adopts unified declaration on Jerusalem

The ministerial meeting concluded with the adoption of a comprehensive joint declaration reaffirming support for Jerusalem's historic and legal status while rejecting Israeli measures in the occupied city.

The participating countries condemned Israeli policies aimed at altering the Arab, Islamic and Christian identity of occupied Jerusalem, reaffirmed that East Jerusalem remains part of the occupied Palestinian territory and reiterated support for a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.

The declaration also rejected attempts to change the historical and legal status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque, reaffirmed Jordan's Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and called on the international community and the UN Security Council to act against Israeli violations.

Key outcomes of the Amman Declaration

Condemned Israeli policies seeking to alter Jerusalem's legal, demographic and religious character.
Reaffirmed that East Jerusalem is occupied Palestinian territory and the future capital of Palestine.
Rejected attempts to change the historic and legal status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque.
Reaffirmed Jordan's Hashemite Custodianship over Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites.
Condemned restrictions on Muslim and Christian worshippers and attacks on religious sites.
Warned that attacks on Jerusalem's holy sites risk fueling a wider religious conflict.
Called on the UN Security Council and the international community to halt Israeli measures in occupied Jerusalem.
Rejected unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital or relocation of diplomatic missions.
Agreed to establish a joint mechanism and media platform to document Israeli violations at the holy sites.
Called for a joint ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States during the UN General Assembly in New York.

R-4 ministers reaffirm support for Palestinian statehood

On the sidelines of the conference, the foreign ministers of the R-4 group, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye, reaffirmed their "unwavering support" for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministers said a "just, comprehensive and lasting settlement" of the Palestinian issue remained indispensable for achieving durable peace and stability in the Middle East.

Reviewing the evolving regional situation, the four countries also stressed the importance of continued consultation and close coordination while emphasizing that "dialogue and diplomacy remain essential" to preventing further regional escalation.

Dar joins audience with King Abdullah II

During the visit, Dar joined fellow foreign ministers attending the ministerial meeting for a joint audience with Jordan's King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein.

In a post on X, Dar said he conveyed the greetings and best wishes of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the people of Pakistan, adding that the Jordanian monarch reciprocated with prayers and best wishes.

Dar also appreciated Jordan's "steadfast custodianship of the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem" and its continued efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.

He said the meeting also included an exchange of views on Palestine, the broader Middle East and regional developments.

Pakistan deepens regional diplomacy

Alongside the ministerial meeting, Dar held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Jordan, Somalia, Algeria, Egypt, Türkiye and Iraq, using the visit to reinforce Pakistan's diplomatic engagement on Palestine while expanding cooperation with regional partners.

During talks with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, the two leaders welcomed the growing momentum in Pakistan-Jordan relations and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation across the political, defense, economic, educational, cultural and people-to-people sectors, according to Pakistan's Foreign Office.

They exchanged views on developments in the occupied West Bank, with Dar appreciating Jordan's "steadfast role in safeguarding the Islamic and Christian Holy Sites in Jerusalem" and its continued support for the Palestinian people.

The two ministers also discussed recent developments relating to Iran and the United States, underscoring "the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation," while reaffirming close coordination at the bilateral and multilateral levels, including at the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Dar also met Somalia's Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali, with both sides reviewing longstanding ties and discussing ways to expand cooperation in the political, economic, defense, education and capacity-building sectors.

According to the Foreign Office, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination at multilateral forums and exchanged views on developments in the Middle East, particularly the deteriorating situation in East Jerusalem.

In his meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, Dar discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, information technology and agriculture, while both ministers reviewed regional developments, including the situation in occupied East Jerusalem and recent developments relating to Iran.

The Foreign Office said Attaf appreciated Pakistan's "continued constructive role and diplomatic efforts in promoting peace and stability in the region."

Dar also held discussions with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Pakistan-Egypt relations, regional and international developments, and other issues of mutual interest.

Separately, Dar met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with the two leaders exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

He also had what the Foreign Office described as a "cordial exchange" with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting.

Visit concludes with renewed support for Palestine

In a post on X after concluding his one-day visit, Dar thanked Jordan for convening the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem and described his discussions with regional leaders as productive.

"I had the honour of calling on His Majesty King Abdullah II and holding productive discussions with fellow Foreign Ministers on bilateral relations and regional developments," he wrote.

Reaffirming Islamabad's position on Palestine, Dar said, "Pakistan remains steadfast in its support for the Palestinian people and their just cause, and will continue to work closely with brotherly and friendly countries in pursuit of peace, justice, and stability in the region."

Separately, the Foreign Office said Dar departed Amman after concluding his engagements at the ministerial meeting and bilateral talks with fellow foreign ministers.

Upon departure, he was seen off by Saja Almajali, Director of the Human Rights Directorate at Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Pakistan's Ambassador to Jordan Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Khurram Sarfraz Khan and embassy officials.

The Foreign Office said Dar would make a stopover in Madina Munawara before returning home.

occupied Palestinian territories

Jerusalem declaration urges action against Israeli aggression at holy sites