DPM Ishaq Dar to attend OIC meeting on Palestine in Jeddah tomorrow

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, will undertake an official visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 25 to 26 to participate in the Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) on Israeli oppression and occupation in Palestine.

FM Dar will travel directly to Jeddah from Dhaka after concluding his two-day visit to Bangladesh, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.

The high-level meeting will bring together foreign ministers from OIC member states to deliberate on a coordinated response to the escalating situation in Palestine. The agenda will focus on the ongoing Israeli military aggression, its proposed plans for military control over Gaza, and the continued violations of the rights of Palestinians.

As a steadfast advocate for the Palestinian cause, Pakistan consistently highlights the issue at international forums. During the session, the foreign minister will reaffirm Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine and reiterate its principled stance.

He is expected to advocate for the total withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Palestinian territories, reject the plan for military control over Gaza, and call for the urgent and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, the Foreign Office said.

NA passes resolution in solidarity with Palestine

Dar will also reiterate Pakistan’s demand for the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, most notably the establishment of an independent, contiguous, and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

On the sidelines of the OIC-CFM, the deputy prime minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from key OIC member states.

Pakistan’s relief consignment to Gaza

Meanwhile, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with Al-Khidmat Foundation dispatched humanitarian and relief consignment for the brotherly people of Gaza Strip.

A chartered aircraft from Pakistan carrying 100 tonnes of relief supplies landed at El-Arish International Airport, Egypt on Sunday, the NDMA said.

Officials from Embassy of Pakistan, Cairo received the relief consignment, and handed over to Egyptian Red Crescent Society for onward dispatch to Palestinian citizens inside Gaza.

The government and people of Pakistan, with highly commendable contribution from Al-Khidmat Foundation, will continue to provide much needed humanitarian assistance for their Palestinian brethren.

Total humanitarian assistance provided to Gaza residents by the government and people of Pakistan so far has reached 1915 tonnes. More consignments are on their way and will be delivered in coming days to the Palestinians inside Gaza.