Pakistan reiterates support for Somalia's sovereignty, integrity

Web Desk: Pakistan has called upon the OIC and the broader international community to speak with one voice and firmly reject all actions that undermine Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The call was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar while addressing the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah today.

Ishaq Dar said this meeting is a resounding manifestation of our collective solidarity with Somalia against a blatant transgression of its sovereignty by Israel.

The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.

Ishaq Dar said Pakistan strongly condemns the illegal and unlawful recognition of the Somaliland region of Somalia by Israel and the unwarranted and highly provocative visit of its Foreign Minister to Somaliland.   

He said this development is a direct assault on Somalia's internationally recognized borders, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.

He said it also sets a perilous precedent, threatening peace and security in the region and beyond.

Ishaq Dar said Israel's brazen recklessness undermines regional and international efforts aimed at combating terrorism in the region and opens the door to infiltration and exploitation by extremist groups.            

He added that the principle of state sovereignty and territorial integrity constitutes a peremptory norm of international law from which no deviation or derogation is permitted.

The Deputy Prime Minister said no external actor has any legal or moral authority to alter internationally recognized borders of Somalia and any act, statement or recognition thereof should be considered null and void.

He said Somalia has been demonstrating encouraging and tangible progress on its political and institutional trajectory and this positive momentum must be protected and reinforced.

Ishaq Dar said Pakistan fully aligns itself with the OIC's call for all States and organizations to refrain from any form of engagement with the authorities of Somaliland. 

He said Pakistan categorically rejects any proposal or plan aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians and linkages of Somaliland region of Somalia with any such illegal action that also undermines just and lasting peace in the region.    

Ishaq Dar said we reaffirm our steadfast support for the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for self-determination.

He said as a frontline supporter of the 'Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict', Pakistan reiterates the intention to contribute to its successful implementation to end war in Gaza and lead to a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.

On the occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister also underscored the urgent need for renewed and concerted efforts under the UN auspices to secure a just and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute which remains the primary source of conflict in South Asia and a nuclear flash point.

He urged the OIC to step up its efforts to support a just resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.