Pakistan has emphasized the need for renewed and unified diplomatic initiatives by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its member states to defend the Palestinian people, protect the holy sites in Jerusalem, and promote a durable political resolution to the Palestinian issue.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar addressed the OIC Committee of Six on Palestine, highlighting that the Palestinian cause remains a core concern for the OIC and the wider Muslim Ummah. The Committee of Six convened in New York on September 21–22, 2026, alongside the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with the aim of coordinating diplomatic efforts and reinforcing collective backing for Palestine.
Dar underscored the Committee’s critical role in rallying political and diplomatic support for Palestinians and ensuring the international community stays focused on their legitimate and inalienable rights.
He noted that the meeting occurred amid ongoing urgent challenges in the occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza and the West Bank. Despite recent diplomatic progress offering a chance to move forward politically, the humanitarian crisis remains severe and the security situation highly unstable.
Dar pointed out that ceasefire violations in Gaza happen almost daily. He expressed Pakistan’s appreciation for the mediation efforts of countries such as the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye in implementing the comprehensive plan endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, aimed at ending the Gaza conflict.
Regarding the West Bank, Dar condemned Israel’s settlement expansion, settler violence, annexationist policies, and other breaches, including those in East Jerusalem, which threaten the territorial integrity and continuity of the occupied Palestinian territories. He stressed that these actions undermine the prospects for a viable future Palestinian state.
In a significant development, Dar strongly denounced ongoing Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif, including repeated incursions by Israeli settlers. He described these acts as blatant violations of international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the historical legal status quo governing these sacred sites.
Dar called for intensified diplomatic efforts by the OIC and its members, urging the Committee of Six to prioritize safeguarding the historical and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. He also emphasized rejecting settlement expansion, annexation, settler violence, and forced displacement throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
The Foreign Minister outlined six key priorities, including the full and faithful implementation of the Gaza peace plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803. He stressed that reconstruction and governance in Gaza must remain under Palestinian leadership, with the Palestinian Authority playing a central role.
Dar further highlighted the importance of accountability for violations of international law and international humanitarian law. He called for enhanced coordination among OIC member states at the United Nations and other international forums to protect Palestinians and uphold international legal standards.
He urged sustained global efforts towards a credible, irreversible, and time-bound political process that leads to the creation of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Pakistan will continue advocating for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations.
Dar stressed the particular responsibility of the OIC Committee of Six members to convert their collective solidarity into ongoing, coordinated diplomatic action. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people and pledged that Islamabad will keep collaborating with allied countries to advance the Palestinian cause and promote a just and lasting resolution aligned with international legitimacy.
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