JEDDAH:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday urged the international community and Muslim countries to take collective and decisive action to halt Israeli settlement expansion and annexation attempts in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Addressing the extraordinary open-ended ministerial session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Executive Committee in Jeddah, Dar warned that Israel’s continued violations were threatening prospects for a lasting peace in the Middle East.
He said the Palestinian cause remained a central concern of the Muslim Ummah and stressed that Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank posed serious challenges to international law, the UN Charter and the multilateral global system.
Dar appreciated the efforts of The Gambia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and the State of Palestine for convening the session to address illegal Israeli measures aimed at accelerating settlement expansion and imposing sovereignty over occupied Palestinian land.
Dar noted that despite diplomatic efforts to sustain a ceasefire and implement the UN Security Council’s comprehensive framework to end the Gaza conflict, continued ceasefire violations and settlement activities were undermining peace initiatives.
Recalling consultations held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2025, Dar said leaders from eight Arab and Islamic countries, including Pakistan, had engaged with the United States leadership to secure assurances that annexation of the West Bank would not occur.
However, he said developments on the ground indicated continued settlement expansion and de facto annexation attempts. He strongly condemned Israeli decisions declaring parts of the Occupied West Bank as “state property”.
Highlighting Pakistan’s role as an elected member of the UN Security Council, Dar reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to advancing the Palestinian cause at global forums including the UN and OIC platforms.
He outlined key priorities including reversal of annexation measures, protection of holy sites such as Al Aqsa Mosque, an end to displacement and demographic changes, and full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803.He also called for Gaza’s reconstruction under Palestinian ownership and accountability for alleged violations of international humanitarian law.
Dar also criticised remarks by the United States ambassador to Israel suggesting acceptance of Israeli control over Arab territories, calling them irresponsible and inconsistent with international law.
Drawing parallels between Palestine and the disputed territory of Indian Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), he urged the OIC to intensify efforts toward a just settlement of the Kashmir issue.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestinian self-determination, Dar said Islamabad would continue diplomatic efforts for a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital.
On the sidelines of the conference, Dar met Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Varsen Aghabekian Shahin to discuss Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, stressing the need for unhindered aid access and urgent reconstruction.
He also held separate meetings with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Khaleel and Turkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya, reaffirming support for Palestinian rights and strengthening bilateral ties with the two countries.
During the interactions, Pakistan reiterated solidarity with Somalia’s sovereignty and condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a separate entity, stressing that Pakistan-Somalia relations are rooted in historical and cultural affinities while exploring cooperation in trade, technology and public contacts.
