A day after Syria was booted out of the 57-memember Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Muslim leaders continue to deliberate on the fate of the conflict-ridden Arab state.
Addressing the Emergency OIC meeting in the Saudi city of Makkah on Thursday, President Asif Ali Zardari called for an immediate end to the bloodshed in Syria.
Emphasising the policy of non-interference he urged the international community to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said, “Pakistan desires that Syria must forge its own destiny in accordance with the aspirations of its people and we must respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Calling for an immediate end to the bloodshed in Syria, the president also appealed to all sides in Syria to declare ceasefire during Eid-ul-Fitr.
Referring to neighbouring Afghanistan President Zardari urged the Muslim heads of states to support Pakistan in appealing various factions in Afghanistan to join the reconciliation process.
He said that Pakistan has been seriously affected by the unrest in Afghanistan adding that the fallout of the Mujahideen resistance to the former Soviet Union continues to haunt Pakistan.
Reiterating Pakistan’s support to Afghan-led reconciliation process, the president said that peace and stability in Afghanistan was vital for the peace and stability of Pakistan.
“Indeed, it is vital for peace and stability of the region and the world,” the president remarked.
He said that there were more than three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and expressed the hope that the Afghan refugees will soon return to their homeland to rebuild their country.
Commenting on Pakistan’s commitment to a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions, he expressed the hope that Pakistan’s engagement with India will be result-oriented.
Speaking about the large-scale genocidal killings of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, he called upon OIC to use its offices for promoting a process of protecting the life and property of the Muslims in that country.
“We are passing through a period of upheaval and turmoil and historical forces have brought mankind face to face with new challenges,” he said.
President Zardari also proposed the OIC to consider sending a Special Mission comprising heads of states and governments to conflict-ridden areas that affect the Muslims.He said that terrorism continues to haunt Muslim societies and has distorted the face of Islam.
“The war on terrorism has spread like a contagion and has so far cost the Pakistan more than 40,000 citizens, over 6,500 security personnel, destruction of infrastructure, nose-diving of production and growing unemployment,” adding that there was a need to collectively fight against the forces that encourage the militancy.
While reiterating Pakistan’s support and complete solidarity with the Muslim nations, the president concluded his speech, hoping that the summit will reinforce Islamic solidarity to overcome the challenges faced by the Muslim world. (With additional input from agencies)
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2012.
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@ Ali Fully agreed. Very well said.
What you say is what you should also do. This is what Allah says in the Holy Quran. All these Muslim leaders should be ashamed of Politicizing the holy city of Mecca and that too on 27th of Ramazan. If they would have got together to resolve the matter between the different Muslim brothers in Syria, it would have been exactly what Allah commands, and would have been a good religious and humane act. They did not even invite Syria. This meeting was only to announce the decision taken earlier by the USA and its allies of throwing Syria out.
@Ali: one evil can not justify other....this way you are supporting taliban monsters since they also have genuine complaints agaibst US.
They won't.......have they respected Pakistan's sovereignty......why asking for others???
@DOCH & ALI: And What about Sunni Majority ! out of 45000 he mentioned I guess 95% or more would be Sunni Majority .... What's your saying on this ...... Don;t you think they are being victimized or they are no human ...... is this not enough of evidence that whoever is killing Pakistanis is not differentiating between any !
So don;t act like a cry baby ! the only solution we have is to unite and fight back !
After they agree to throw out Syria according to the wishes of their Masters in the west, this is all Hogwash and useless rhetoric !
@Ali: Do not forget the Ahmadis, Christians and Hindus !
An Excellent and Marvellous Speech indeed
It is a courageous and bold step of Zardari in shaping new twist of Pakistan's foreign policy free from the influence of foreign powers in global politics,its Pakistan's foreign policy achievement which will not damage Pakistan's relation with Iran,China and Russia.
Nothing at all about yesterday's attack on the air force base, or the sectarian killing?
Agreed outside intervention should not take place in Syria. But how to resolve the conflict internally when there is no common meeting ground between the majority supported democratic movement and the autocratic regime?
Did he say Syria instead of Pakistan in the above statement.
Think about Pakistan's sovereignty first !
"world-must-respect-syrian-sovereignty"-zardari/
I think it's more like his personal opinion
And who is asking for your input. Syria is already out of the OIC. Thanks but no thanks !
Zardari should focus on Pakistan. No one suffering from the Qatar, Turkey, Saudi, or US paid for terroirism needs Pakistani anything. Stick to your part of the world. Blessed was your wife, but please, you confuse who is who, and what is what in this part of the world. Your wife would have supported Bashar. OK. You don't. Still. You should not support every American puppet.
Very well said Zardari.who said you at not clever.Only if you could write a letter.Beleive me my vote is yours.
I see. Same is true for Burma also to whom you wrote a letter
"Speaking about the large-scale genocidal killings of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, he called upon OIC to use its offices for promoting a process of protecting the life and property of the Muslims in that country."
What about the large-scale genocidal killings of Shiite Muslims in your own country Mr. President? Couldn't you call upon OIC to use its offices for promoting a process of protecting the life and property of Muslims in your own country? What a hypocrisy!
World must respect Syrian sovereignty: Zardari Funny!! Mr.Zardari should know that the world does not respect Pakistan's sovereignty in the first place.....
This guy wants some "aids" from USA or not? Maybe his gut feelings tell him that Pakistan is next.