Farhan Qureshi 
Pakistan East Jerusalem position was reaffirmed as Pakistan maintained its traditional diplomatic stance on East Jerusalem. Mostly, as occupied Palestinian territory under international law. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated the stance at a ministerial conference on Jerusalem in Amman, Jordan, with representatives of several Muslim-majority countries.
The meeting addressed the latest developments on the holy city and the preservation of the religious and historical status of its sacred places. Pakistan also took the opportunity to reaffirm its support for the principles of international law and the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue.
Pakistan Denies Israel’s Sovereignty Over Occupied East Jerusalem
Ishaq Dar said that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied East Jerusalem and the Islamic and Christian holy places of the city during the ministerial conference. Pakistan reiterated that East Jerusalem was occupied Palestinian territory under international law.
The statement also emphasised that unilateral administrative or legal steps aimed at changing the status of East Jerusalem have no legal validity. Pakistan argued that the internationally accepted legal principles do not acknowledge any changes which would affect the historical, legal or religious character of the city.
Concerns Over Developments At Al-Aqsa Mosque
Much of Pakistan’s statement was devoted to recent developments at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Ishaq Dar strongly condemned repeated incursions by extremist Israeli settlers into the site, calling such actions deeply concerning for regional stability and religious harmony.
Pakistan stressed the need to protect places of worship with due regard to their religious, historical and cultural value. The importance of respecting holy sites was presented as key to peace and preventing further escalation.
Pakistan Endorses Jordan’s Hashemite Custodianship
Pakistan reiterated its full support for the historic Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. The country also recognised the Jordan-affiliated Jerusalem Awqaf Department as the sole legitimate administrative authority to manage the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
The Hashemite Custodianship has been an important player for a long time in the administration and preservation of the holy sites. Pakistan stressed that these established arrangements help to safeguard religious heritage and alleviate tensions around the sacred sites.
Pakistan Urges Closer Unity Among Muslim Countries
The conference also heard Pakistan urge Arab and Muslim-majority countries to step up their collective diplomatic efforts on the situation in East Jerusalem. Ishaq Dar urged better coordination to prevent violations of the city’s religious and historical character.
The proposal stressed the need for coordinated diplomacy through international institutions and called for the use of peaceful means based on dialogue and international law. Pakistan also supported efforts for unimpeded access of Muslim worshippers to religious sites in the city.
Pakistan Reiterates Support For Two-State Solution
Pakistan reiterated its support for a sovereign, independent and contiguous Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as its permanent capital.
It is the country’s position that is consistent with long-standing international proposals supporting a negotiated two-state solution as the basis for achieving lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Joint Statement Reflects Coordinated Diplomatic Engagement
In a joint statement on the developments relating to the holy sites in Jerusalem, Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said: The joint statement reflected a broad diplomatic consensus among the countries involved.
The declaration urged the United Nations Security Council and the international community at large to take effective measures to prevent actions that could lead to an escalation of tensions in the region. The participating countries stressed the importance of protecting religious sites and maintaining the existing historical and legal arrangements.
The joint initiative also said it would set up a permanent media and monitoring mechanism to document developments related to the holy sites. Supporters say such monitoring could bring greater transparency and international awareness.
Pakistan Keeps On Stressing Diplomacy, International Law
Pakistan attends the ministerial conference and continues to engage with regional partners on issues of peace, stability and preservation of religious heritage. Islamabad’s statements and diplomatic initiatives reaffirmed support for international law, established legal structures, and peaceful conflict resolution.
Pakistan’s stance on East Jerusalem has been a long-standing foreign policy, consistently maintained by successive governments. Pakistan’s overall diplomatic stance on the Palestinian issue can be viewed as a collective expression of support for Jordan’s custodianship, unrestricted access to holy sites, the two-state solution, and coordinated multilateral diplomacy.
