Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have decided to urgently convene a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers to discuss the ongoing Gaza crisis.
This decision was made during a phone call between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Monday, as reported by Radio Pakistan.
The talks followed controversial remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Palestinians, which were strongly condemned by Dar. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its continued commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Prince Faisal expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s long-standing and steadfast support, underscoring the strength of the relationship between the two nations.
In a separate conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s firm stance on the creation of an independent Palestinian state, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Both ministers also discussed the broader Middle East situation, with a particular focus on the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia condemned Netanyahu’s remarks that suggested the displacement of Palestinians, issuing a statement rejecting any idea of establishing a Palestinian state on Saudi territory. The controversy stemmed from an interview in which Netanyahu appeared to joke about replacing a “Palestinian state” with a “Saudi state,” though he quickly corrected himself afterward.
