Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to participate in an extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah, the Foreign Office (FO) said. Dar was welcomed in Madinah by Pakistan’s Ambassador Ahmed Farooq and Consul General Mustafa Rabbani.
Read More: Dar to attend OIC Foreign Ministers’ session in Jeddah
The session is convened to discuss Israel’s recent recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, a move that has raised concerns among OIC member states. Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland last month, almost 35 years after the region declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Somaliland controls its own currency, passport, and army, but has struggled to gain broader international recognition due to potential political ramifications in Africa.
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Curtain Raiser: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister to Attend Extraordinary Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah 9-11 January, 2026 https://t.co/RFQcqOHx9H
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/bx2JLLj3PS— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 9, 2026
According to the FO, DPM Dar will present Pakistan’s stance on the Somaliland issue during the session, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to respecting Somalia’s territorial integrity. On the sidelines, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from other OIC member states to explore enhanced regional and international cooperation.
During his visit, Dar will also inaugurate the new building of the Pakistani consulate in Jeddah, strengthening Pakistan’s diplomatic presence in the Kingdom. The extraordinary OIC session comes amid growing global attention on Somaliland’s strategic location on the Gulf of Aden, a region vital for maritime trade and security.
Read More: Pakistan, OIC condemn Israel’s Somaliland recognition move
The Foreign Office emphasized that Pakistan’s engagement at the OIC meeting reflects its commitment to multilateral dialogue and regional stability, particularly in addressing issues of territorial recognition and sovereignty. The DPM’s participation is expected to reaffirm Pakistan’s diplomatic priorities while fostering cooperation with fellow OIC countries.