Madinah (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reached Saudi Arabia on Saturday to take part in an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, scheduled to be held today in Jeddah.
Upon his arrival in Madinah, Dar was welcomed by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, along with Consul General Mustafa Rabbani.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the extraordinary OIC session has been convened to discuss the consequences of Israel’s recent decision to recognise Somaliland, a self-declared region of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
During the meeting, Dar is expected to outline Pakistan’s stance on the Somaliland issue and reaffirm Islamabad’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The foreign minister is also set to inaugurate the newly constructed building of Pakistan’s consulate in Jeddah during his visit.
Read More: Pakistan, Muslim Nations Condemn Israel FM’s Somaliland Visit
In addition to attending the OIC gathering, Dar will hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from other OIC member states to explore ways to strengthen cooperation on key regional and global matters, the Foreign Office added.
The emergency meeting comes in response to Israel becoming the first country to officially recognise Somaliland as an independent state. Tel Aviv made the announcement last month, marking a significant diplomatic development for the region.
Read More: Pakistan, UNSC Members Condemn Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since operated with its own governing institutions, currency, passport system and security forces. Despite this, it has failed to gain broad international recognition, largely due to concerns about undermining Somalia’s unity and setting a precedent for separatist movements across Africa.
Located along the strategically important Gulf of Aden, Somaliland’s status remains a sensitive issue in regional and international diplomacy.
