On February 27, 2026, Pakistan emerged as a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights at a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern affairs, calling for the immediate reversal of Israeli measures in the occupied Palestinian territories. The country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, addressed the extraordinary ministerial session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) executive committee in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and left little room for ambiguity about Pakistan’s stance on the matter. As an elected member of the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan demanded that Israel halt all steps aimed at the de facto annexation of the West Bank and other occupied territories, a move seen by many as a direct response to Israel’s recent efforts to register large swathes of the West Bank as “state property” for the first time since 1967.
According to The Express Tribune, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, pledging continued support at the United Nations, the OIC, and other multilateral platforms. “We must collectively ensure full respect for and protection of the historic and legal status quo at all holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Dar stated, underscoring the urgency of ending all forms of displacement, demographic manipulation, and collective punishment against Palestinians across the occupied territories.
The extraordinary OIC session was convened against the backdrop of escalating Israeli actions in the West Bank, including the approval of proposals to convert occupied territory into so-called “state property.” Dar did not mince words, characterizing these measures as the product of an “annexationist and expansionist mindset bereft of any regard for international law or humanitarian norms.” He went on to highlight that such actions threaten the very prospect of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Dar recalled a crucial moment in September 2025, when leaders and foreign ministers from a group of eight Islamic countries, including Pakistan, met with the U.S. president at the United Nations General Assembly. Their goal was clear: to end the bloodshed in Gaza, secure a permanent and sustainable ceasefire, and advance a comprehensive peace process for Palestinians. At that meeting, the group received assurances that annexation of the West Bank would not proceed. Yet, as Dar pointed out, “on the ground, Israel continues with brazen impunity to expand illegal settlements.”
The foreign minister’s remarks were echoed in a joint statement issued by Pakistan, the Arab League, the OIC, and 20 other Muslim and European countries on February 25, 2026, which condemned Israeli attempts at the “unacceptable de facto annexation” of Palestinian land in the West Bank. According to Press TV, Islamabad warned that any attempt to alter the status of Palestinian territories is a clear violation of international law, a sentiment strongly supported by lawmakers and religious groups within Pakistan.
Central to Dar’s address was the call for the “full and faithful implementation” of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803. This resolution, he emphasized, requires strict adherence to the ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate commencement of reconstruction and recovery efforts, with full Palestinian ownership and the central involvement of the Palestinian Authority. “A credible, irreversible, and time-bound political horizon must be established, leading to the creation of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with relevant UN and OIC resolutions,” Dar asserted.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s engagement as part of the Group of Eight Arab-Islamic countries, which joined the Board of Peace (BoP) as endorsed by UNSC Resolution 2803. Dar underlined that Pakistan remains “fully engaged as part of the group of eight other Islamic countries to secure a permanent and sustainable ceasefire, immediate start of the reconstruction, and a credible time-bound political pathway towards an independent Palestinian state.”
Dar did not shy away from criticizing the international response, particularly recent remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. The ambassador had suggested that it would be acceptable for Israel to control territories belonging to Arab states, including the occupied West Bank. Dar called these statements “irresponsible, deeply concerning, and condemnable,” arguing that they were inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter, undermined the sovereignty of Arab states, and could embolden further illegal actions by Israel. “At a time when initiatives such as the Board of Peace and the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict seek to chart a credible political horizon, remarks of this nature directly contradict those objectives and weaken collective diplomatic efforts,” he said.
Dar’s speech also drew a pointed parallel between the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He noted the stark similarities in the systematic human rights violations and demographic manipulation occurring in both regions. “Indian occupation forces continue to unleash terror in IIOJK, with systematic human rights violations and demographic manipulation aimed at making Kashmiris a minority in their own land,” he remarked. The foreign minister expressed appreciation for the OIC’s historical support for the Kashmiri people but urged the organization to “step up efforts for a just resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.”
Throughout his address, Dar repeatedly called on the international community to “act decisively” to halt Israeli violations and uphold international law. He insisted on the immediate reversal of all Israeli measures aimed at the de facto annexation of the occupied Palestinian territory, including the West Bank, and called for the protection of holy sites, especially the Al Aqsa Mosque, as well as an end to the displacement and demographic manipulation of Palestinians. He also stressed the importance of accountability for war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law.
During his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, which began on February 26, Dar was expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from OIC member states, further reinforcing Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to build consensus and coordinate action on the Palestinian issue. According to the Pakistani Foreign Office, Dar would also undertake brief visits to the Holy Cities, underscoring the religious and cultural significance of the conflict for Pakistan and the broader Muslim world.
Back home, the government’s strong stance was echoed by lawmakers and religious groups, who reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. As Press TV reported, Islamabad’s condemnation of Israel’s expansionist actions resonated widely, with calls for concrete measures to end Palestinian suffering and secure their liberation from occupation.
The OIC’s extraordinary session, attended by representatives from across the Muslim world, served as a platform for Pakistan to articulate its demands and rally support for Palestinian rights. Dar’s message was clear: “Pakistan, along with its brotherly OIC countries, stands ready to rise to this challenge with unity, resolve, and purpose.”
As diplomatic tensions simmer and the situation on the ground remains fraught, Pakistan’s leadership has positioned itself at the forefront of efforts to secure justice for Palestinians and advocate for a peaceful, lawful resolution to one of the world’s most enduring conflicts.