• Calls for urgent measures to end Gaza conflict at OIC meeting
• Meets Syrian leader Al-Sharaa, GCC secy gen
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday told the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that the time for action to resolve the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip “is now”, while welcoming increasing recognition of a Palestinian state.
Addressing a UNSC session on the Middle East, FM Dar said: “Gaza has become a graveyard for humanity and the global conscience. We call upon the Security Council and the broader international community to act decisively, to uphold human dignity, to ensure accountability and deliver justice.
“The time for words has passed, the time for action is now.”
Reiterating the damage and devastation in Gaza, along with the numerous people killed and the plight of survivors, he said the humanitarian situation had reached “catastrophic proportions” with the people starving and famine gripping the territory.
He said Pakistan welcomed France’s summit on the two-state solution, co-sponsored with Saudi Arabia, and commended the recent recognition of the Palestinian state by more UN members, saying it “reflects adherence to justice and the principle of international law”.
Meanwhile, addressing a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Committee of Six on Palestine, FM Dar stressed that the world continues to witness the harrowing tragedy unfolding in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly Gaza. He said Pakistan reaffirmed unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, describing it as central to the OIC’s objectives.
He recalled the ICJ ruling on genocide and stressed that Israel’s ongoing offensive is in blatant defiance of international law, international humanitarian law, and binding orders of the ICJ.
He condemned the collective punishment of a besieged population through indiscriminate bombardment, starvation, forced displacement, and denial of humanitarian aid, and further warned that settler violence and military aggression are escalating in the occupied West Bank.
He underscored that this was a defining moment for the Middle East and the Muslim world and urged the OIC to press for a permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, an end to illegal settlements and annexation, restitution of seized lands and properties, accountability for war crimes, and deployment of international safety mechanism.
He called for renewed support to UNRWA, reconstruction of Gaza under the Arab-OIC plan, compliance with ICJ rulings, and the realisation of the Palestinian peoples inalienable right to self-determination through the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The OIC Committee of Six on Palestine —Pakistan, Senegal, Guinea, Malaysia, the State of Palestine and the OIC General Secretariat — is tasked with mobilising political, diplomatic and legal support for the Palestinian cause.
FM Dar, who represented Pakistan at the conference, was not among the speakers However, he welcomed announcements regarding the recognition of Palestine by several countries on X.
Mr Dar also posted a photo with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on X. In his post, he said he had “reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Syrian people”, in his meeting with him.
Ties with GCC
The foreign minister also met Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, Radio Pakistan reported.
Mr Dar underscored the importance Pakistan attaches to its ties with the GCC and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening multifaceted cooperation with the member states, it said.
With input from APP and Reuters
Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2025