PM Abbasi urges OIC to raise voice for the Rohingyas

Urges Myanmar to end discrimination against the persecuted community

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has called upon the Myanmar government to end discrimination against Rohingya Muslims and provide them equal status as a citizen of Myanmar.

Addressing the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) contact group in New York, PM Abbasi on Tuesday said Pakistan would make every effort to help the Rohingyas, who are fleeing a brutal crackdown by Myanmar security forces and Buddhist extremists.

He said Pakistan was deeply concerned over the plight of Rohingya Muslims as he urged the OIC to raise its voice for the persecuted community.

The PM also called for creating a conducive environment for return of the Rohingya refugees. Abbasi said violence against the minority group should be stopped according to the international laws.

He also demanded that the Myanmar government let a UN Fact Finding mission to go to the affected areas where the community has faced the worst persecution.

‘The Myanmar government should ensure protection of the Muslim population and take immediate steps to resolve the crisis,” the premier demanded according to Express News.

Just arrived with the PM to attend OIC Contact grp meeting on Rohingyas where PM will speak too pic.twitter.com/ajTaGUBeLK

— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) September 19, 2017

After speaking at the OIC Contact Group, the prime minister met Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, according to a tweet shared by Pakistan's envoy to the UN Maleeha Lodhi.

Meeting with Iran's President Rouhani begins pic.twitter.com/eqahR5DBcv

— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) September 19, 2017

Pakistan and Turkey on Tuesday discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation and agreed to work together for early finalisation of the Free Trade Agreement for boosting their bilateral trade.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met here on the sidelines of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly Session.

They had an in-depth exchange of views on ways to further strengthen bilateral relations besides reviewing regional peace and security situation. They agreed to continue joint efforts for bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan.



Premier Abbasi said Pakistan-Turkey relations were based on common faith, values, culture, history, mutual trust and support.

#PM@72UNGA PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi held bilateral meeting with Turkish President H.E Recep Tayyip Erdogan today on sidelines of UNGASession pic.twitter.com/9xpxiEVtuG

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 19, 2017

Meeting with Sri Lankan president

Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed to continue cooperation at all multilateral forums in the spirit of neighborhood and longstanding relationships which were rooted in history.

President Maithripala Sirisena thanked Abbasi for Pakistan's consistent support to Sri Lanka during challenging times when it was facing a wave of terror, and during natural disasters.

#PMAttends72UNGA Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also met H.E Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka on the sidelines of UNGA pic.twitter.com/MHcEYauiSg

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 19, 2017

PM meets King of Jordan

Pakistan and Jordan on Tuesday vowed to further build up their ties with a focus on political, economic and defence ties.

The reaffirmation came at a meeting between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and King Abdullah -II of Jordan .

During the meeting at the UN headquarters both the sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations in multifaceted areas.

Pakistan envoy to the UN said that the prime minister had an excellent meeting with King Abdullah.

Our Prime Minister had an excellent meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan at UN pic.twitter.com/EMYQeg8Hep

— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) September 19, 2017

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)