ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has rejected any suggestion that its peacekeepingcontingent in a proposed Gaza force would participate in disarming orde-weaponising Hamas, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar declaring the taskfalls exclusively to Palestinian security forces.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Dar emphasised that Pakistan’s potentialcontribution to an Arab-led security mission would be limited tomaintaining peace and stability after a permanent ceasefire is achieved.
“We are not ready to disarm and de-weaponise Hamas. This is not our work;this is for the Palestinian Security Forces,” the foreign minister said,adding that Islamabad remained ready to deploy troops provided the mandatewas clearly defined.
Dar stressed that any international security force must respect Palestiniansovereignty and focus solely on ensuring calm, rather than intervening ininternal Palestinian political or military arrangements.
The statement comes amid reports that several Arab and Muslim countries arediscussing the formation of a multinational force to oversee security inGaza following Israel’s withdrawal under a possible future truce agreement.
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Pakistan has consistently supported the idea of an Arab or Islamicpeacekeeping presence but has drawn a red line against actions that couldbe perceived as targeting Palestinian resistance groups.
The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position ofrecognising the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, includingtheir right to resist occupation through all available means.
Source: www.mofa.gov.pk/press-releases”>https://www.mofa.gov.pk/press-releases
