Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Banjul, Gambia on Wednesday to spearhead Pakistan’s delegation at the forthcoming Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit. Dar is slated to raise pivotal issues concerning Gaza and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) during the summit.
In a statement posted on X, Deputy PM Dar expressed his readiness to represent Pakistan at the 15th Summit while also engaging in bilateral discussions with dignitaries from member countries in attendance.
Upon his arrival, Dar was warmly welcomed by Gambian Minister of Petroleum and Energy Nani Juwara, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Ambassador Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Senegal accredited to the Gambia, Saima Maymunah Sayed.
The Foreign Office had earlier announced Dar’s participation in the OIC summit scheduled for May 4-5, following his involvement in the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 2-3. These preliminary meetings aim to finalize the agenda and outcome documents for the summit.
During his stay, Dar will advocate for Islamabad’s stance on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, where approximately 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli aggression since October last year. Additionally, he will emphasize the right to self-determination for the people of IIOJK.
Addressing the broader challenges facing the Muslim Ummah, Dar will also highlight the imperative of solidarity and unity, the escalating issue of Islamophobia, climate change concerns, terrorism, and other global challenges.
In addition to his summit engagements, the Deputy PM is scheduled to conduct bilateral meetings with leaders and foreign ministers attending the event.
The OIC, in an “Extraordinary Session of Islamic Conference of Information Ministers” held in February this year, denounced Israel’s military aggression in Gaza, condemning the systematic oppression and massacre of Palestinian civilians. The forum reiterated its call for the realization of Palestinians’ inalienable rights, including national independence and sovereignty.
The upcoming OIC summit is anticipated to offer member states a crucial platform to address the dire situation in Gaza and present a united stance on the Palestinian question.
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