Ishaq Dar Rallies New OIC Chief Behind Kashmir and Middle East Priorities

Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a high-level telephonic conference on September 3, 2026, with Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the newly elected Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The dialogue established Islamabad's strategic priorities for the 57-member multilateral body, centering on Kashmir, Palestinian sovereignty, intra-bloc trade, and scientific collaboration.

A Diplomatic Reset in Jeddah: Who is Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed?

The transition at the helm of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation comes at a crucial juncture for the Muslim world. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, a seasoned Mauritanian diplomat who previously served as his country's Foreign Minister and as the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, brings decades of conflict-resolution experience to the Jeddah-based secretariat. His election reflects a deliberate push by member states to install leadership capable of navigating complex regional rivalries and international diplomacy.

During the call, Ishaq Dar formally congratulated Cheikh Ahmed on assuming the stewardship of the world's second-largest intergovernmental body after the United Nations. Dar underscored that Pakistan views the OIC not merely as a consultative forum, but as a crucial political collective capable of projecting unified leverage on global platforms.

Cheikh Ahmed acknowledged Pakistan’s foundational role within the organization, noting Islamabad’s historic contributions since the inaugural Rabat Summit in 1969 and the landmark 1974 Lahore Conference. The Secretary-General committed to maintaining close coordination with Pakistani leadership to ensure the secretariat responds effectively to pressing geopolitical challenges.

Kashmir, Gaza, and Multilateral Pressure Points

Central to the conversation was the imperative for concrete action on self-determination disputes affecting Muslim populations. Ishaq Dar briefed the Secretary-General on the situation in Indian-Administered Jammu and Kashmir, urging the OIC to maintain a firm, proactive stance through its dedicated Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad requested that the new Secretary-General dispatch special fact-finding missions and utilize his executive mandate to keep the Kashmir issue visible within UN bodies.

The two leaders also conducted an exhaustive review of the crisis in Gaza and the broader Middle East. Dar stressed that the OIC must move beyond symbolic resolutions toward coercive economic and diplomatic measures against international law violations in the Palestinian territories. He emphasized that the bloc's credibility rests heavily on its ability to safeguard civilian lives and enforce unhindered humanitarian corridors.

Addressing the broader rise in systemic discrimination against Muslim minorities globally, Dar urged the OIC Observatory on Islamophobia to expand its monitoring capabilities. The campaign against religious intolerance requires structured engagement with European and Western multilateral frameworks to counter structural bias effectively.

Institutional Reform and Islamabad’s Strategic Stake

Beyond geopolitical flashpoints, the conversation tackled the internal architecture of the OIC and its specialized organs. Pakistan hosts the secretariat of COMSTECH—the OIC’s Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation—in Islamabad. Dar reiterated Pakistan's commitment to funding and driving scientific innovation across member states through COMSTECH initiatives.

The leaders agreed on the necessity of mobilizing the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to support vulnerable economies facing debt distress, climate shocks, and supply chain disruptions. Increasing intra-OIC trade from its current levels remains an urgent economic objective for both Islamabad and the secretariat.

By initiating early direct dialogue with Cheikh Ahmed, Pakistan aims to secure early commitments on its core security and economic agenda. As the newly elected Secretary-General prepares his initial administrative roadmap, Islamabad’s proactive diplomatic posture positions it to shape the strategic direction of the Islamic world's primary multilateral institution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the newly elected OIC Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed?

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is a veteran diplomat from Mauritania who previously served as his country's Foreign Minister and as the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen. He was elected to lead the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation headquartered in Jeddah.

What core diplomatic issues did Ishaq Dar emphasize during the telephonic call?

Ishaq Dar focused on mobilizing OIC support for the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and pushing for concrete diplomatic action regarding the Gaza humanitarian crisis. He also called for strengthening intra-OIC trade and empowering the OIC Observatory on Islamophobia.

What role does Pakistan play within the institutional framework of the OIC?

Pakistan is a founding member of the OIC and hosts the secretariat of COMSTECH, the standing committee for scientific and technological cooperation, in Islamabad. Pakistan actively collaborates with the Islamic Development Bank and leads key multilateral initiatives within the organization.