Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar traveled to Saudi Arabia for an OIC meeting with Muslim counterparts to discuss the Palestinian situation. This meeting aims to establish the agenda for the upcoming Arab-Islamic Summit. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead the Pakistani delegation, advocating for an end to Israeli aggression and support for Palestinian statehood.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar departed for Saudi Arabia to participate in a significant meeting involving foreign ministers from the Muslim world under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This meeting, scheduled for Sunday in Riyadh, aims to establish the agenda for the forthcoming second Arab-Islamic Summit, set to convene on Monday. Following his arrival, FM Dar performed Umrah and offered prayers at the revered Masjid-i-Nabwi. He will join the Pakistani delegation, which is led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is expected to arrive in Riyadh later today. The OIC meeting will address pressing issues such as the ongoing Israeli aggression against Palestine. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions will build on prior dialogues held at the first Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in 2023, focusing on the situation in Gaza. The previous summit resulted in crucial emergency assistance for Gazans, reinforced international calls to end Israeli occupation, and strengthened collective commitments among member states to support Palestine. During the summit, Prime Minister Sharif is anticipated to advocate for an “immediate and unconditional end to the suffering in Gaza” and call for the cessation of Israeli military operations that compromise regional stability, as stated by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch earlier this week. Pakistan remains steadfastly supportive of the Palestinian cause and envisions a sovereign and independent Palestine, based on pre-1967 boundaries, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif serving as its capital. The Prime Minister is also expected to engage in bilateral talks with leaders from Arab League and OIC member nations.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is a significant international body consisting of Muslim-majority countries, collaborating on matters of mutual concern, including political, social, and economic issues. The upcoming meeting in Riyadh represents an opportunity for member states to address critical regional concerns, particularly those pertaining to Palestine amidst ongoing conflicts. Previous summits have laid foundations for humanitarian assistance and collective strategies to support the Palestinian people, emphasizing the necessity for concerted actions within the Muslim community.
In summary, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s attendance at the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting in Saudi Arabia reflects Pakistan’s commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights and discussing critical geopolitical issues affecting the Muslim world. As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif leads the delegation, Pakistan aims to reinforce its stance on calling for an end to military aggression in Gaza while fostering unity among OIC member countries.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
