ISLAMABAD: The newly elected Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, has commended Pakistan’s leadership for its diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the United States and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy.
During a phone call with the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, he lauded Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their efforts in bringing an end to the Iran conflict, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation with newly elected OIC Secretary-General H.E. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
The DPM/FM congratulated the SG on his election by consensus, underscoring the special importance… pic.twitter.com/OO14gvOz5b
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 3, 2026
Mediator Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to continue diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the United States and Iran through dialogue and diplomacy despite a recent escalation between the two countries.
Speaking at the weekly press briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad remained hopeful that dialogue and diplomacy could help resolve the conflict.
“Despite recent escalations, we remain hopeful, and we will continue to strive for dialogue and diplomacy,” Andrabi said.
The latest exchange of strikes has ended a period of relative calm that had prevailed since July, when Washington and Tehran largely refrained from military action but made little progress toward reviving negotiations.
Pkistan closely monitoring Middle East situation
Andrabi said Pakistan was closely monitoring the situation and noted that conflicts often move through stages of escalation, de-escalation, calm, ceasefire and, eventually, a return to negotiations.
The spokesperson said the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), agreed between Tehran and Washington on June 18, remained a viable framework for restarting negotiations. The 14-point interim framework provides for the resumption of political and technical-level talks aimed at achieving a long-term and sustainable settlement.
It is pertinent to mention that last month Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Iran as part of Islamabad’s continuing diplomatic efforts to facilitate an end to the US-Iran conflict and renewed efforts towards reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
OIC congratultes Pakistan on Makkah Joint Defence Agreement
The OIC Secretary-General also congratulated Ishaq Dar on the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, noting its significance for regional peace and security.
On August 7, the three countries signed the agreement to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression and stipulated that an armed attack against any of the three countries would be regarded as an attack on all.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the agreement.
During the phone call, Ishaq Dar congratulated the Secretary General on his election by consensus, underscoring the special importance Pakistan attaches to the Muslim bloc.
He expressed confidence that Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed would make an important contribution towards advancing the interests of the Muslim Ummah and addressing issues of common concern, including Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir.
The Secretary General appreciated Pakistan’s support for his candidature and acknowledged Pakistan’s important role at the organisation.
Both sides agreed to work closely for the bloc to further consolidate its role in serving the Muslim Ummah and looked forward to continued coordination and an early meeting.
Member states of the OIC on August 27 elected Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed as the organisation’s new Secretary-General.
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His election took place during the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held at the organisation’s General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah.
Following his election, Ould Cheikh Ahmed took the oath of office as Secretary-General, formally assuming the leadership of the 57-member organisation.
He succeeded Hissein Brahim Taha, who previously served as the OIC Secretary-General.
The OIC, headquartered in Jeddah, is the world’s second-largest organisation after the United Nations, with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. The Organisation is the collective voice of the Muslim world.
