Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar Arrives in Saudi Arabia for OIC Summit on Somaliland
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has landed in Saudi Arabia ahead of an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers. The special meeting, scheduled for January 10, 2026, will take place in Jeddah and focus primarily on recent developments concerning Somaliland.
Arrival and Official Engagements
Upon arrival in Madinah, Dar was warmly welcomed by Pakistan’s Ambassador Ahmed Farooq and Consul General Mustafa Rabbani. During his stay, he is set to inaugurate the newly constructed Pakistani consulate building in Jeddah, a significant milestone for Pakistan’s diplomatic presence in the region.
Focus of the OIC Extraordinary Session
The agenda centers on Israel’s groundbreaking recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. This move marks the first time Israel has officially acknowledged Somaliland as an independent sovereign entity, following Somaliland’s unilateral declaration of independence from Somalia in 1991.
- Strategic Importance: Somaliland occupies a key position along the Gulf of Aden and operates with its own currency, armed forces, and passport system.
- International Status: Despite these attributes, Somaliland has struggled to gain formal international recognition, largely due to concerns about regional stability and potential encouragement of separatist movements elsewhere in Africa.
Pakistan’s Position and Bilateral Discussions
The Foreign Office has stated that Ishaq Dar will represent Pakistan’s stance on the issue during the OIC meeting, emphasizing the country’s perspective on the recognition and its implications.
In addition to the plenary sessions, the deputy prime minister is slated to engage in several bilateral talks with fellow OIC member state foreign ministers. These discussions aim to foster enhanced collaboration on a range of regional and international concerns beyond the Somaliland matter.
