Preparations for Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar’s visit to Saudi Arabia to attend an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) this week are complete. Sources told that Dar would probably fly to Saudi Arabia from Doha tomorrow, on Wednesday. The meeting, which will be held at the OIC General Secretariat on February 26 (Thursday), is of special significance in view of the situation in the Middle East. Discussion on illegal Jewish settlements on Palestinian lands are included in the agenda. Besides that, attempts being made by Israel to illegally annex occupied West Bank would also come under discussion, informed the sources. The meeting would strongly condemn the decisions taken by the government of Israel to occupy the properties belonging to Palestinians. Apart from that, sources went on to say, the Muslim countries would adopt a joint stance on the efforts being made by Israel to sabotage the two-state solution to the Palestine issue. On behalf of Pakistan, Dar would strongly condemn the illegal steps and decisions being taken by the Israeli government. Sources informed that the participating countries would hold discussion on chalking out a strategy to counter Israel’s policies. The passage of a joint declaration or a resolution is also expected at the end of the meeting. The FM is also likely to meet his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud. He will also hold meetings with the leaders of other Muslim countries on the sidelines of the conference.
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar expected to visit Saudi Arabia from tomorrow
