OIC summit an expression of solidarity with Afghan people: PM

Welcoming foreign delegations for the upcoming Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) moot in Islamabad, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Satudray that the extraordinary session was an expression of solidarity with the Afghan people.

Pakistan is all set to host the OIC foreign ministers moot in Islamabad on Sunday. The session is being convened at the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the OIC Summit Chair. Pakistan welcomed the call and offered to host the session.

Besides the foreign ministers from the OIC member states and observers, participants would also include special invitees from the United Nations, international financial institutions and some non-member states, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, Russia, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the EU.

Read more: Qureshi confident of OIC moot's success

The meeting is being convened against the backdrop of aggravating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The session would provide an opportunity to consider practical and concrete steps to help address the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people.

"I welcome delegations from OIC member states, observers, friends, partners and international organisations to Pakistan," the premier wrote on his official Twitter handle.

He said that the extraordinary session is an expression of solidarity with the Afghan people and to focus on "our collective energies on addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan".

"I look forward to speaking at the Conference," he added.

Earlier today, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the OIC moot in Islamabad will be “historic” and expressed confidence that the conference will be able to evolve a consensus on Afghanistan.

He made these remarks while talking to the media after examining the arrangements for the 17th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC slated to take place at Parliament House.

“We are at the threshold of history. If we take the right step, it can bring in regional, peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. God forbids, if we showed negligence, or not took the timely decision, then Afghanistan can face a new crisis,” the foreign minister warned.

Also read: Afghanistan’s stability vital for all SCO states: FM Qureshi

Qureshi said that concrete and timely steps were required for the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan, adding that the moot of OIC foreign ministers was being held to bring the Afghan crisis into the limelight.

According to the minister, this moot among other developments over the past month was proof that the world was paying heed to Pakistan’s stance on the prevailing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

“From the very first day, Pakistan apprised the world about the looming humanitarian crisis and that the situation could also lead to an economic collapse if the banking system remained dysfunctional for long,” Qureshi said.

Earlier, FM Qureshi reviewed the arrangements made for the OIC moot. The minister visited different parts of the parliament house and expressed satisfaction over the arrangements.