Pakistan stands deeply troubled by the relentless military aggression unleashed by Israel upon the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar conveyed this profound concern during his address at the 15th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit Conference in Banjul, The Gambia.
In the face of the harrowing plight of Palestinians and the egregious actions of Israeli forces, Senator Dar implored member states of the OIC to unite in calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Additionally, he urged for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of the besieged Palestinian population.
Expressing Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Palestine, Senator Dar reiterated support for Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations. He advocated for the revival of the peace process, emphasizing the imperative of a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of Palestine.
Furthermore, Senator Dar shed light on the dire situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), condemning the atrocities committed by Indian forces. He called upon the OIC to implement its action plan on Kashmir, urging for an end to human rights violations, the release of Hurriyat leaders, and the reversal of unlawful demographic and unilateral laws imposed by India.
In the broader context of global challenges, Senator Dar denounced the alarming rise of Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims worldwide. He appealed to the OIC to collaborate with major social media platforms to regulate content that propagates blasphemy, anti-Islamic sentiments, and Islamophobia.
Acknowledging the OIC’s appointment of a special envoy on Islamophobia, Senator Dar emphasized the importance of countering anti-Pakistan rhetoric and Islamophobic narratives, particularly emanating from Indian political circles, which pose a threat to regional stability.
Moreover, Senator Dar underscored Pakistan’s continued resilience against externally sponsored terrorism and its significant contributions to the global fight against terrorism.
In addition to addressing geopolitical issues, Senator Dar highlighted the OIC’s potential role in fostering global economic growth and combating the existential threat of climate change. He urged collective action within the OIC to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, referencing Pakistan’s own experiences with catastrophic floods in 2022.
Lastly, Senator Dar reiterated Pakistan’s support for the revitalization and reform of the United Nations system, particularly the Security Council, to ensure greater representation, democracy, and effectiveness in promoting international peace and security.
During the last several decades, Muslims were on the target and suffered a lot. Although there are 57 Muslim countries and around 2 Billion in population, it means every fourth person in the world is a Muslim. Further more, Muslim world is rich in natural resources, especially in Energy, the ,most vital resource. Yet, Muslims are victimized, humiliated, and suffering seems no end in the prevailing situation.
Unfortunately, most of Muslim countries are ruled by dictators, and supported by Western powers. The Muslim rulers are more loyal with their western masters instead of with their own nation. But, public in all Muslim countries is awakened. There is a strong feeling among Muslim public around the glob that we are victimized and our so called leaders are impotent and could not address their concerns. There exists a strong will to unite and overcome all challenges, internal or external. Hope the fate of Muslims will be changed and will not remain slaves and victims forever.