Pakistan Stands Firmly in Support of Palestinians at OIC Summit
A significant international gathering is set to take place in Jeddah this week, where Foreign Ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will convene for an extraordinary session. The purpose of this meeting is to address the escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly in response to the recent controversial suggestion by US President Donald Trump to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza strip.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar of Pakistan will be among the esteemed attendees traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this critical event. The Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) is scheduled for March 7 in Jeddah, where leaders from OIC member countries will gather to formulate a united response to the pressing issues affecting Palestine.
The primary agenda of the high-level meeting is to deliberate on the worsening conditions in Palestine due to continuous Israeli aggression, blatant violations of Palestinian rights, and the alarming proposal for the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland. Pakistan, known for its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, is committed to highlighting this humanitarian crisis on various global platforms.
In a statement released by the Foreign Office on Tuesday, Pakistan reiterated its stance on the Palestinian issue and expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people. The upcoming OIC-CFM session will provide an opportunity for Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to reinforce Pakistan’s principled position on the matter and advocate for the rights of Palestinians.
During the meeting, Pakistan will emphasize the urgent need for the complete withdrawal of Israel from all occupied territories, including Jerusalem. Furthermore, Pakistan will strongly oppose any proposal that aims to displace Palestinians and will call for the restoration of their inalienable rights, such as the right to return to their homeland and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-June 1967 borders.
In addition to participating in the OIC-CFM session, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with counterparts from key OIC member states. These meetings will provide a platform for constructive dialogue and collaboration on addressing the critical challenges facing the Muslim world.
Prior to the OIC summit, leaders from Arab nations convened in Cairo to address the Palestinian issue and respond to President Trump’s controversial proposal regarding Gaza. The Arab leaders deliberated on an Egyptian initiative aimed at rebuilding Gaza with a substantial investment of $53 billion, while rejecting the notion of relocating Palestinians from the strip.
The proposed plan entails the appointment of a committee of technocrats and impartial figures to oversee Gaza for an initial six-month period, as reported by The New York Times. This initiative underscores the rejection of Trump’s proposal, which has been widely condemned as a form of ethnic cleansing and a threat to regional stability.
While President Trump has hinted at a potential shift in his stance on Gaza, the Arab world remains vigilant and cautious in response to these developments. The fragile cease-fire in Gaza, which has temporarily halted hostilities between Israel and Hamas, adds another layer of complexity to the situation, necessitating a nuanced and diplomatic approach towards achieving lasting peace in the region.
As the international community grapples with the challenges facing Palestine, the collective efforts of OIC member states, Arab nations, and global stakeholders are essential in addressing these pressing issues and advancing the cause of justice and peace in the Middle East. Pakistan’s participation in the OIC summit reaffirms its commitment to standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people and advocating for a just and lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict.
