Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar traveled to Saudi Arabia for the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting, which will set the agenda for the upcoming Arab-Islamic Summit. The summit will focus on the Middle East situation, particularly Israeli actions in Palestine. Dar will represent Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Palestine and will hold bilateral meetings with other leaders.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar departed for Saudi Arabia to attend a significant meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers, taking place in Riyadh. This crucial meeting, which includes representatives from across the Muslim world, is set to establish the agenda for the forthcoming Arab-Islamic Summit scheduled for Monday. Upon his arrival, FM Dar performed Umrah and offered prayers at the revered Masjid-i-Nabwi. As part of a delegation led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who will also travel to Riyadh, FM Dar’s involvement comes as the summit aims to address pressing issues in the Middle East, especially the ongoing Israeli actions in Palestine. Notably, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is also expected to attend the meeting, signaling the importance of the discussions. The agenda will focus primarily on the situation in Gaza, building upon the previous respective summit’s resolutions regarding emergency relief efforts and calls to end the Israeli occupation. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that during the summit, the Prime Minister would reassert Pakistan’s commitment to achieving a prompt resolution to the suffering in Gaza and advocate for a halt to Israeli military operations, which are deemed destabilizing to the region. Pakistan’s longstanding position emphasizes the necessity of an independent Palestinian state, with borders established as of June 4, 1967 and Al-Quds Al-Sharif designated as its capital. Furthermore, it is anticipated that during the summit, the Prime Minister will engage in bilateral discussions with leaders from both the Arab League and other OIC member states, reinforcing collaborative efforts to support the Palestinian cause.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an international organization comprised of 57 member states, representing the Muslim world. Its primary mission is to promote peace, security, and cooperation among its members while advocating for the rights of Muslims globally. The upcoming meeting is crucial as it will address ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, specifically the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, which has seen significant humanitarian concerns and international discourse following recent escalations in violence. Pakistan has historically supported the Palestinian cause and seeks to strengthen alliances through diplomatic efforts at such gatherings.
In summary, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s visit to Saudi Arabia for the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting underscores Pakistan’s commitment to advocating for the Palestinian cause. The summit aims to tackle urgent issues affecting the Middle East, particularly regarding the situation in Gaza, and reinforces Pakistan’s stance on the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. The anticipated dialogues among member states highlight the collaborative efforts necessary to achieve these goals.
Original Source: www.dawn.com