51st session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers convenes amid regional turmoil
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar arrived in Istanbul on Saturday to participate in the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
The two-day summit comes at a critical moment, with tensions running high in the Middle East following Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian targets—including the Khondab nuclear facility—and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Dar is expected to present Pakistan’s views on key regional developments, including the recent ceasefire arrangement with India, and reaffirm Islamabad’s unwavering support for Palestinian statehood.
He will also highlight the urgent need for peace in the Middle East and press for immediate humanitarian relief for the besieged population of Gaza.
Hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the conference is themed “The Organization of Islamic Cooperation in a Transforming World.” The session has drawn record participation, with over 1,000 delegates expected—including 43 foreign ministers and five deputy ministers from OIC member states.
The summit is under close international watch as hostilities between Israel and Iran intensify. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is also slated to attend, according to Turkish media reports.
On Thursday, Israel targeted the partially constructed Khondab heavy-water reactor in Arak, citing concerns over its potential to produce weapons-grade plutonium. Türkiye has strongly condemned the attack as illegal and voiced support for Iran’s right to self-defence, urging Muslim nations to unite against destabilising actions in the region.
Foreign Minister Fidan is expected to issue a forceful call for unity among member states, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will address the gathering.
In addition to OIC member nations, high-level delegations from 30 international organisations—including the United Nations, Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council, Organization of Turkic States, D-8, Economic Cooperation Organization, and World Trade Organization—are in attendance.
An extraordinary session of the Arab League’s ministerial conference is also scheduled on the sidelines of the summit—the first of its kind to be held in Türkiye.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry described the Istanbul meeting as one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in OIC history. Over 200 local and international journalists are covering the event.
The conference is expected to conclude with a joint declaration addressing regional conflicts, humanitarian challenges, and the need for enhanced Islamic solidarity in an increasingly complex global landscape.
