Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met on Thursday with the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, on the sidelines of the 15th Islamic Summit, held in Banjul, The Gambia.
The discussions focused on tackling extremism and terrorism, highlighting the need for a unified approach.
The Deputy PM shared Pakistan’s grave concerns about rising Islamophobia, as manifested by an increasing number of incidents of discrimination, violence, and incitement against Muslims around the world.
He stressed the imperative for joint action to counter Islamophobia, particularly in the context of Israel's aggression against Palestine, which has resulted in a rise in Islamophobic and xenophobic acts around the world.
He also briefed the OIC Secretary General on the situation in Indian Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the use of excessive force by Indian security forces there.
Noting the historic role of the OIC in supporting the just struggle of the Kashmiri people, he appreciated the role played by the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir, the Special Envoy on Kashmir, and the OIC's regular monitoring of the human rights situation in IIOJK.
On the occasion, the OIC Secretary General reaffirmed the OIC's support for the Kashmiri people and their legitimate right to self-determination, as reflected in various OIC resolutions.
The foreign minister expressed deep concern about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the dire humanitarian situation. He also expressed alarm at the escalation of the conflict in the region.
Senator Dar reiterated Pakistan’s principled position, calling for the complete withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem, the restitution of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right of return to Palestine, and the establishment of an independent homeland for Palestinians along the pre-June 1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The deputy prime minister also applauded the OIC’s efforts and initiatives for peace in the Middle East and expressed the full support of Pakistan for these initiatives.
