ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to attend an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah today, Saturday, which is expected to focus on Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, a move that has drawn condemnation from Muslim countries.
The emergency session follows Israel’s announcement last month. Somaliland is a self-declared region that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but has not previously been recognized by any United Nations member state, triggering sharp criticism from Mogadishu and regional bodies.
Pakistan also condemned the development, describing it as Israel’s attempt to undermine the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia. Dar flew to Saudi Arabia late Friday to participate in the conference, according to a statement released by Pakistan’s foreign office in Islamabad.
“The [OIC emergency] session will address the implications of Israel’s recognition of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the statement said.
“During the session, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister will share Pakistan’s position on the issue of Somaliland,” it added.
