Islamabad/Jeddah: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has arrived in Saudi Arabia to participate in the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The meeting, convened in Jeddah at the OIC Secretariat, will focus on the rapidly deteriorating situation in Palestine, particularly the ongoing Israeli military aggression in Gaza.

According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia, Ishaq Dar was received by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Riyadh, Ahmed Farooq, and Consul General in Jeddah, Khalid Majid. The warm reception underscored Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the OIC.

Focus of the OIC Meeting: Palestine at the Center

The extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is expected to bring together the top diplomats of member states to deliberate on the grave humanitarian and political crisis in Palestine. The agenda centers on Israel’s escalating violence against Palestinians, the reported plans of completely annexing Gaza, and the broader implications for regional stability.

The OIC, comprising 57 Muslim-majority nations, has often issued statements of condemnation against Israeli actions, but this session is viewed as especially critical due to the intensity of the ongoing military operations and the scale of civilian suffering.

According to the Foreign Office, the meeting will examine strategies for a collective response to the violation of Palestinian rights and to Israel’s continued defiance of international humanitarian law. The session will also debate political, diplomatic, and possibly economic measures that member states can adopt to pressure Israel to halt its aggression.

Pakistan’s Strong Position on Palestine

Pakistan has consistently maintained a firm and principled stance on the Palestinian issue, echoing its longstanding support for the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to use the platform to reaffirm Pakistan’s solidarity with the Palestinian people, highlight the devastating human cost of the conflict, and call for an urgent ceasefire. He is also likely to stress that the OIC must move beyond symbolic gestures and take practical, unified steps to counter Israeli policies.

In his recent statements, Dar has emphasized that the silence of the international community is unacceptable when innocent civilians, including women and children, are being killed in large numbers. His speech in Jeddah is anticipated to push for stronger unity among Muslim countries and to advocate coordinated diplomatic outreach at the United Nations, Human Rights Council, and other global forums.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The context of the meeting is the rapidly worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Reports from international humanitarian organizations describe an alarming situation:

• Mass civilian casualties due to airstrikes and ground incursions.
• Severe shortages of food, medicine, and clean water due to the blockade.
• Destruction of hospitals and schools, leaving civilians without shelter or medical care.

The OIC session is thus expected to deliberate on how Muslim nations can mobilize resources to provide urgent humanitarian aid, while also demanding accountability for what they term as war crimes and crimes against humanity by Israeli forces.

OIC’s Role and Expectations

While the OIC has often been criticized for issuing declarations without concrete follow-up, this extraordinary meeting is seen as an opportunity to chart a stronger course of action. Diplomats and analysts suggest possible outcomes may include:

• A joint resolution condemning Israel’s actions and calling for an immediate ceasefire.
• Formation of a humanitarian relief coalition among OIC states to support Palestinians.
• Lobbying efforts at the UN Security Council and General Assembly to push for binding resolutions.
• Consideration of economic and political pressure measures, such as boycotts or suspension of certain forms of cooperation with Israel and its allies.

Saudi Arabia’s Central Role

As the host nation and custodian of the two holiest sites in Islam, Saudi Arabia’s leadership in this OIC session carries significant weight. Riyadh has positioned itself as a mediator in various regional disputes, but on Palestine, it has come under pressure to take a more assertive stand. Analysts expect Saudi Arabia to push for a unified Muslim voice while balancing its own evolving foreign policy priorities.

Symbolism and Urgency

The symbolism of convening an extraordinary OIC session cannot be understated. At a time when the Palestinian people face unprecedented aggression, Muslim nations are under pressure from their populations to demonstrate tangible support. The presence of senior ministers, including Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, underscores the urgency of the crisis.

For Pakistan, participation in the Jeddah meeting is not merely diplomatic routine but also a demonstration of its historical commitment to the Palestinian cause, a position deeply rooted in its foreign policy since independence.

Looking Ahead

The world will be watching closely whether the OIC’s deliberations in Jeddah translate into meaningful actions or remain limited to statements of solidarity. For the Palestinians, particularly those in Gaza enduring bombardment, the hopes rest on international pressure that can lead to an immediate ceasefire and longer-term solutions to end decades of occupation and conflict.

As Ishaq Dar takes his seat among fellow foreign ministers, Pakistan’s message is clear: the Palestinian struggle is not just a regional issue but a matter of global justice, requiring urgent attention, solidarity, and action.