Istanbul, November 3, 2025 — Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar joined counterparts from Türkiye, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar on Monday in Istanbul for an urgent diplomatic meeting aimed at reinforcing the fragile Gaza ceasefire and addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
Hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the high-level session underscored the growing resolve among Muslim nations to coordinate a unified response to Israel’s continued aggression and its obstruction of humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Pakistan’s firm stance: “A moral and diplomatic duty to defend Gaza”
Representing Islamabad, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Palestine, emphasizing that Pakistan considers defending Gaza’s civilians not just a political position but a moral obligation.
Dar stressed that the world must hold Israel accountable for violating ceasefire commitments and for hindering humanitarian convoys into Gaza. He reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue raising the issue at all international forums, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
“Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Palestine. We will not allow this humanitarian tragedy to be forgotten, nor the aggressor to go unchallenged,” Dar said during the meeting, according to diplomatic sources.
Türkiye’s role in leading Muslim coordination
The Istanbul meeting convened by Hakan Fidan aimed to create a joint Muslim diplomatic front to pressure Israel into respecting the October 10 ceasefire and allowing uninterrupted humanitarian aid.
Fidan emphasized that Israel was actively seeking “pretexts to end the ceasefire and resume its attacks” and called for the international community to take a firm stance against these provocations.
He also underscored that aid reaching Gaza was grossly insufficient and that sustained and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian supplies was both a legal and moral necessity.
Building on September’s New York summit
The Istanbul meeting builds on earlier discussions held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September, where leaders from several Muslim nations including Pakistan had met with U.S. officials to advocate for a comprehensive plan for Gaza’s reconstruction under the framework of the Arab League and OIC initiatives.
That earlier joint statement called for:
- International support for Palestinian leadership
- Reconstruction of Gaza through coordinated global funding
- Safeguarding of holy sites in Jerusalem and the West Bank
- A lasting two-state solution ensuring Palestinian sovereignty
Pakistan’s broader vision for Gaza and beyond
Diplomatic insiders suggest that Pakistan played a proactive role in Istanbul, urging a collective Muslim strategy that moves beyond temporary ceasefires toward sustainable peace and Palestinian self governance.
Islamabad has long advocated for an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, viewing the Gaza issue as central to global justice and Islamic unity.
“For Pakistan, peace in Gaza is not an isolated issue. It’s tied to the moral conscience of the entire Muslim world,” said a senior Pakistani diplomat accompanying the delegation.
Next steps: Coordinated humanitarian and diplomatic push
Participants agreed to intensify diplomatic outreach at the UN Security Council, as well as coordinate humanitarian relief through regional mechanisms and trusted international agencies.
The Istanbul dialogue concluded with an understanding to form a working group of foreign ministers, with Pakistan expected to take an active role in drafting proposals for:
- Accelerating humanitarian corridors into Gaza
- Ensuring accountability for war crimes
- Developing a reconstruction blueprint under UN supervision
A message of unity and responsibility
The gathering in Istanbul reflected a growing consensus among Muslim nations that fragmented diplomacy has only emboldened Israel, and that coordinated political and economic pressure is essential to bring lasting stability to Gaza.
As Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar put it, “This is a test of the Muslim world’s unity, and Pakistan will not remain silent when humanity is under siege.”
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