Imran urges joint OIC action to tackle Islamophobia

Several FMs call on PM, FM and COAS on fringes of OIC-CFM

ISLAMABAD:

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM) and exchanged views on regional and international issues.

During the meeting, the prime minister stressed the need for enhanced cooperation to address challenges confronting the Muslim Ummah, especially collective action by OIC member states to deal with Islamophobia.

In a separate meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Riyad al-Maliki, Imran reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal support for the just struggle of the Palestinian people.

He said the unresolved issues of Palestine and Kashmir were among the root causes of instability in the two regions.

And talking to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the prime minister said the ongoing second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would reinforce Pakistan's efforts for economic development with enhanced cooperation in areas such as industrial development, agriculture and IT.

The two sides also discussed the situation in Ukraine and reiterated the need for a solution through sustained dialogue and diplomacy.

Imran apprised Wang of the so-called "accidental" firing of a missile from India into Pakistan's territory and underlined Pakistan's call for a joint probe. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein also called on Prime Minister Imran.

During the meeting, the prime minister underscored the importance of collective action by the OIC to address contemporary challenges faced by the Muslims and Islamic countries worldwide.

Talking to the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Imran underscored the need for intensifying cooperation to enhance trade and connectivity between the two countries.

On the occasion Tileuberdi briefed Imran on the developments in Kazakhstan and its bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Saudi foreign minister also held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

During the meetings, matters of bilateral interest came under discussion.

In the meeting between Qureshi and Faisal, the two sides agreed to further strengthen their cooperation on regional and international matters, and keep close collaboration at multilateral fora, including the OIC and the United Nations.

Qureshi condemned drone and missile attacks by the Houthis on Saudi soil.

Prince Faisal underscored that Saudi Arabia attaches importance to its fraternal and strategic relationship with Pakistan and conveyed Saudi Arabia's appreciation for the role played by Pakistan in the OIC.

Foreign Minister Qureshi also held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani of Bahrain and Mukhtar Tileuberdi of Kazakhstan.

In these meetings, views were exchanged on major issues confronting the Islamic countries and the world at large.

During the meeting between the Saudi foreign minister and the army chief, matters of mutual interest, regional security, current situation in Afghanistan and bilateral defence relations were discussed, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release.