ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday to take part in a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers being held to discuss the situation in Palestine amid Israel’s looming takeover of Gaza, the foreign office said.
The OIC CFM from Aug. 25-26 takes place in Jeddah as Israel forces ramp up operations in Gaza, after its security cabinet this month approved a plan by Benjamin Netanyahu for Gaza’s military occupation. The move drew sharp condemnation and protests from several countries around the world, who urged the international community to rein in Israel from occupying Gaza by force.
Dar, who is also Pakistan’s foreign minister, was received at the King Abdulaziz International Airport Jeddah by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to OIC Ambassador Fawad Sher, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq and Pakistan’s Consul General in Jeddah Khalid Majid.
“The Extraordinary Session will bring together foreign ministers and senior officials from the OIC member states to deliberate on coordinated responses to the escalating developments in Palestine, arising from the ongoing Israeli military aggression, proposed plans for full military control over Gaza, and the continuing egregious violations of Palestinian rights,” the foreign office said.
