ISTANBUL : 21 June 2025 – Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, in violation of international law and the UN Charter. Israeli aggression poses a grave threat to regional and global peace and security. Pakistan demands an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with unfettered humanitarian access, and accountability for Israeli war crimes.
Pakistan remains deeply concerned at the escalating tensions, deepening instability, and humanitarian crises across the Middle East. What underpins many of these situations is the continued impunity with which Israel is undermining peace and stability of the broader region.
This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in his address at the 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in Istanbul on the theme ‘OIC in a Transforming World’
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Türkiye; Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Chair of OIC 51st CFM ; Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud,Saudi Arabia; Mamadou Tangara, Gambia, Chair of the Islamic Summit; Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Cameroon, Chair of the 50th CFM; Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) were also present at the occasion.
FM Pakistan said , Israeli aggression against Iran is not an isolated event. It is part of a dangerous and consistent pattern of militarism that Israel has demonstrated across the Middle East. Israeli aggression represents a dangerous escalation, and is a serious threat to peace and stability, not only of the region, but the wider world as well. We can all feel the reverberations of this instability.
He said, Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinians continues unabated, with over 55,000 Palestinians – mainly women and children – martyred and even a larger number injured in Gaza alone. Millions remain displaced, and entire communities and neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. Life-saving and humanitarian aid is being deliberately denied, along with targeting of the humanitarian workers.
” Pakistan being a non-permanent member of the UNSC, co-sponsored a resolution for immediate ceasefire in Gaza earlier this month, which was unfortunately vetoed. Lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without allowing Palestinians their inalienable right to self-determination for a viable, secure, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, DPM,FM continued.
More take aways from his address ;
Indian Aggression
Our region recently witnessed another act of violation of the principles of the UN Charter in the form of unprovoked and unjustified military aggression by India against Pakistan. In response, we had no choice but to exercise our right to self-defense.
Pakistan repulsed the outrageous Indian attack, downed 6 of their military Jet -fighter aircrafts, and inflicted heavy damage to several of India’s military installations. Unlike India’s cowardly attack on our civilians, Pakistan only targeted Indian military installations in response.
Pakistan is taking all necessary steps to ensure regional stability. However, the provocative and inflammatory statements being made by the Indian leadership, as well as India’s unilateral and illegal actions, especially its decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, represent an intent to further destabilize the region. Pakistan will not allow India to stop water for our people. It will be treated as an act of war.
Jammu Kashmir
The unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the primary source of conflict in South Asia and a nuclear flash point. There is an urgent need for renewed and concerted efforts under the UN auspices to secure a just, lasting, and peaceful resolution of the dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
We urge the OIC to once again condemn Indian aggression, implement the OIC Action Plan on Jammu and Kashmir, and support a just resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.
Terrorism
Pakistan has made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. Despite this, externally sponsored terrorism continues to inflict human as well as material losses to Pakistan. Groups such as TTP and ISIL-K operate from our neighbouring territory, with support from foreign hostile agencies, launching cross-border attacks against our people. These attacks are not isolated, but part of a systematic campaign of state-enabled terrorism.
Like in past, we will take all necessary strong measures to defend our people and territory, and we surely count on the OIC’s solidarity in this regard. The OIC must call for accountability from states that sponsor such violence. And the UN sanctions regime must be reformed to ensure fair and effective targeting of all forms of terrorism.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan remains critical to regional peace. Pakistan seeks continued humanitarian support for the Afghan people, unfreezing of assets, and regional connectivity to restore stability. We remain actively engaged with the Afghan Interim Government diplomatically and have recently upgraded our diplomatic Mission in Kabul to Ambassadorial level.
We also urge the Afghan Interim Government to fulfill its commitments on counterterrorism and human rights, particularly respect for the rights of women and girls.
Islamophobia
The alarming rise in Islamophobia is one of the most pressing human rights challenges of our time. Pakistan has remained at the forefront of the OIC’s efforts to combat Islamophobia. In 2022, Pakistan, on behalf of OIC presented the UNGA resolution, that proclaimed March 15 as the ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’.
Pakistan also remained a staunch proponent for the appointment of the OIC Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Combating Islamophobia. The appointment of Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci from Türkiye was a landmark achievement in our collective efforts in Gambia at the OIC Summit to counter the scourge of Islamophobia.
The recent appointment of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Combating Islamophobia is yet another welcome step in this regard. We welcome him to our meeting today and assure him of our full support and cooperation.
Interests of Islamic Ummah
The promotion of the interests of the Islamic Ummah is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2025 and 2026, Pakistan will continue to seek an enhanced role of the OIC on matters related to international peace and security.
As part of these efforts, under Pakistan’s Presidency of the Security Council next month, we will convene a dedicated briefing to strengthen institutional cooperation between the UN Security Council and the OIC. Pakistan will also explore ways through which the OIC can support broader UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts.
On the important issue of UN Security Council reform, the OIC Member States must continue to call for adequate representation of the Muslim Ummah in any category of an expanded Security Council, in line with the OIC’s long-held position.
The challenges we face are formidable, but our collective strength is even greater. Let us reaffirm our solidarity, deepen our cooperation, and act with unity and resolve to uphold the dignity, rights, and aspirations of our peoples and Ummah.
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About the Meeting
This meeting is taking place at a crucial time, and against the backdrop of unprecedented challenges being faced by the Muslim Ummah. Millions continue to be subjected to unprecedented suffering in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Several OIC Member States are witnessing blatant armed aggression. Long unresolved conflicts and situations of foreign occupation – from Palestine to Jammu & Kashmir – continue to simmer.
Islamophobia, discrimination, and negative stereotyping of Muslims are on the rise. The need for a collective, resolute, and determined response to these challenges by the Ummah has never been more acute.
It is a matter of grave concern that at a time when humanity is embracing high-tech innovation, Artificial Intelligence, novelty, and modernization, some entities and nation-states are still oblivious to basic values of respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right to self-determination. These tenets are fundamental principles for a progressive, civilized, and cultured society.
Technological prowess and military ascendance do not define a ‘transforming world’. Real transformation lies in global peace, respect for international law, responsibility, accountability, international cooperation, sharing of best practices, climate justice, gender equity, economic progress, sustainable development, and shared prosperity. These are also the values that the OIC stands for.
In a truly transformed world, might should not be the right; intimidation and coercion should not be the rule of the game; rather, tolerance, acceptance, compassion, cooperation, and empathy should define statecraft. We all need to play our part in achieving these ideals, and I am confident that under Türkiye’s leadership in the upcoming year, the OIC will make serious strides towards these goals.
