ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday ruled out the possibility of Pakistan joining the Abraham Accords, stating that such a move would effectively mean abandoning the country`s longstanding support for a twostate solution to the Palestinian conflict and recognising Israel.

Speaking at a news conference at the Foreign Office, Mr Dar, who also serves as deputy prime minister, reiterated Pakistan`s firm support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

His comments came in response to recent remarks by US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, who suggested that more countries, which were not previously `contemplated`, were preparing to join the US-brokered accords, which normalise ties with Israel.

Witkoff had joined President Donald Trump at the WhiteHouse lunch for Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir.

`We are not ready to recognise Israel until the two-state solution to the Palestine conflict is accepted,` Mr Dar said. `There is no change in our stated policy on the Palestine issue.

He added that signing the Abraham Accords would be tantamount to abandoning Pakistan`s long-standing demand for a Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, based on pre1967 borders. `Let it be clear to everyone that our seven-decades-long policyremainsunchanged,` he said.

Trump`s Nobel nomination Addressing criticism over Pakistan`s nomination of President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, Mr Dar said the decision was made jointly by the country`s civilian and military leadership.

He emphasised that the nomination, submitted prior to the start of the Israel-Iran conflict, was based on Trump`s role in de-esca-lating tensions between India and Pakistan and his remarks regarding the Kashmir dispute.

The foreign minister recalled that Trump `tweeted 15 or 16 times about that`.

Trump`s repeated claims on social media about his role in facilitating the May 10 ceasefire between Pakistan and India have irritated New Delhi.

`The decision to nominate President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize was in the context of his role in the India-Pakistan conflict and his statements on the Kashmir issue,` Mr Dar said.

`It was a collective decision by the civil-military leadership. I signed the letter on June 11, days before the Iran-Israel war began.

The prime minister`s approval was obviously part of the process.

Mr Dar referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif`s remarks at a June 4 event at the US Embassy, where he reportedly called Trump `a man of peace`.The nomination has stirred controversy within Pakistan, with many questioning the rationale behind the move.

Indian ceasefire claims Responding to Indian officials` statements that claimed Pakistan had sought a ceasefire, FM Dar dismissed the assertions and reiterated Islamabad`s position that dialogue must be based on equality.

`We didn`t ask anyone for a ceasefire, nor would we ask anyone for dialogue,` he said.

`If India wants talks, we are ready. But we are a dignified nation, we won`t beg. Pakistan is prepared to talk on all outstanding issues, including Kashmir and terrorism, at any venue, but in a respectful manner. The ball is in their court. It takes two to tango.

His remarks dire ctly challenge New Delhi`s narrative and reaffirm Pakistan`s readiness for dialogue grounded in mutual respect and national dignity.