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Ishaq Dar OIC Session is set to place Pakistan at the center of renewed diplomatic efforts against what Islamabad describes as Israel’s escalating illegal actions in the Occupied West Bank.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will visit the Saudi Arabia from February 26 to 28 to participate in an Open-Ended Extraordinary Ministerial Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Executive Committee. The high-level meeting will take place in Jeddah on the night of February 26.
Pakistan’s Representation at the OIC
The extraordinary session has been convened amid growing concern within the Muslim world over recent decisions by Israel that aim to expand settlements, pursue annexation, and impose Israeli sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territories. Pakistan’s participation reflects Islamabad’s long-standing diplomatic position supporting Palestinian rights under international law.
Officials say the Ishaq Dar OIC Session will allow Pakistan to clearly articulate its opposition to unilateral measures that undermine prospects for a just and lasting peace in the region.
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Background of the Extraordinary OIC Session
According to diplomatic sources, the OIC Executive Committee called the meeting to specifically address Israeli policies related to settlement expansion and land designation in the West Bank. These steps have been widely criticized by international legal experts and human rights organizations as violations of international law.
The meeting is open-ended, allowing all interested OIC member states to present their views and coordinate potential diplomatic responses.
Pakistan’s Position on Israeli Actions
During the session, the Deputy Prime Minister is expected to highlight Pakistan’s concerns over Israeli attempts to convert parts of the Occupied West Bank into what Israeli authorities term “state land.” Islamabad maintains that such actions are illegal, provocative, and detrimental to regional stability.
Diplomatic officials indicate that Pakistan will reiterate its call for adherence to relevant United Nations resolutions and emphasize the need for collective action by the Muslim world through multilateral forums such as the OIC.
Diplomatic Engagements on the Sidelines
In addition to addressing the ministerial session, Ishaq Dar will hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and senior representatives of other OIC member states. These engagements are expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic coordination, sharing assessments of the situation on the ground, and exploring avenues for joint diplomatic initiatives.
During his stay in Saudi Arabia, the Deputy Prime Minister will also undertake brief visits to the Holy Cities, underscoring the religious and diplomatic significance of the trip.
Broader Regional and Diplomatic Context
The Ishaq Dar OIC Session comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with settlement activity and annexation rhetoric drawing international scrutiny. Analysts note that Pakistan’s active role in the OIC reflects its effort to remain diplomatically engaged on major issues affecting the Muslim world.
As debates intensify over the future of the Palestinian territories, the outcomes of the extraordinary OIC meeting could shape collective diplomatic messaging in international forums in the coming weeks.
