Pakistan confirms OIC participation as PM Sharif, Türkiye's Erdogan discuss Iran crisis
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday assured Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of his country's participation in the upcoming Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul, as both leaders expressed deep concern over Israel's recent attack on Iran and pledged to coordinate peace efforts.
The telephone call came as the OIC's Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) prepares to convene in Türkiye on June 21–22 at a volatile moment for the bloc, with two of its member states — Pakistan and Iran — having faced military standoffs with their regional rivals.
While Pakistan's border exchange with India lasted four days before a US-brokered ceasefire was reached last month, Iran remains in a state of heightened uncertainty following Israel's strike on its military and nuclear facilities on Friday, as the war shows no signs of easing.
'Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye, this evening,' Sharif's office said in a statement after the call. 'During their most warm and cordial conversation, both leaders discussed the deeply worrying situation in the region in the wake of Israel's unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Iran.'
'The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role for peace, both as member of the UN Security Council, as well as in other forums such as the OIC,' the statement added. 'In this regard, the Prime Minister said that Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar would represent Pakistan at the upcoming OIC CFM meeting in Istanbul.'
Both leaders condemned Israel's strikes, saying they violated Iran's sovereignty and defied international law.
They also voiced solidarity with Palestine amid what they described as Israel's 'brazen military aggression,' which they said had continued 'with complete impunity.'
The two leaders emphasized the international community and the United Nations must act collectively and urge Israel to immediately end its 'aggressive posturing and illegal actions' against Iran, Palestine and other countries in the region.
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