Delegates arrives as Pakistan hosting OIC FMs’ moot in Islamabad after 41 years

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is hosting the 17th Extra-ordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Islamabad tomorrow (Sunday). The session is being held in Pakistan after 41 years.

The Session is being convened at the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as 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, United Kingdom, France, China, Russia, Germany, Italy, Japan and the EU.

Afghan Interim Government would also be represented at the CFM.

The meeting is being convened in the backdrop of the 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.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are founding members of the OIC. Over the years, Pakistan and the OIC have extended consistent support to the people of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, Indonesia, Bosnia, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Oman arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to attend 17th extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.

Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal received foreign ministers of Bosnia and Malaysia Dr Bisera Turkovic and Saifuddin Abdullah along with their entourage, at the red carpet rolled out in their honour.

Talking to the media, Bosnian FM Bisera Turkovic congratulated Prime Minister Imran Khan for organising such an important gathering on Afghanistan.

She said it was extremely important to discuss existing problems in Afghanistan and, “I think this huge gathering is going to come up with a firm stance about our duty to jointly find the best possible solution.”

The Malaysian FM, commending Prime Minister Imran Khan for hosting the OIC’s special moot, said Pakistan had shown ‘a very good example’ in this case as it had already been hosting about four million Afghan refugees and providing all kinds of assistance.

It was ‘timely’ and ‘important’ meeting that brought the Muslim Ummah to come together and take some concrete steps to help resolve more pressing issues, especially humanitarian one in Afghanistan, he remarked.

Minister Zubaida Jalal highlighted Pakistan’s steps for the welfare of the Afghan people and said, “It is an honour for Pakistan that it is taking another such an important initiative (moot).

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi was also received by Zubaida Jalal.

Talking to media, the Indonesian FM said, “Her presence here today is reflection of our solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.” She said Indonesia was always ready to contribute to the welfare of Afghans. “The Muslim world has the responsibility to make Afghanistan better for its people.”

She extended gratitude to Pakistan for hosting a special moot on Afghanistan.

Acting foreign minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi and Kyrghyzstan’s deputy foreign minister have also arrived in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan on Saturday said Interim Afghan government’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi would brief the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states on deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Terming the moot an ‘important meeting’, he said it would provide an opportunity to the delegates from around the world to know on-the-ground situation in Afghanistan and find a solution.

Special arrangements have been made to welcome the delegates of OIC member states at Islamabad International Airport, arriving to participate in the moot.

The core objectives of the conference are to highlight the need for urgent assistance and mobilization of resources to avert a looming humanitarian crisis in the war-torn Afghanistan.

Special security arrangements were also in place for such a mega event.

There will be a ban on entry in the red zone as 5,000 police personnel will be on the guard. Personnel from Army Rangers, Special Branch, Traffic Division, Operations Division and Security Division were will be part of the security arrangements.

Constitution Avenue will be off-limits for traffic and the three Metro Bus stops in Islamabad will also be closed.

Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi has arrived in Islamabad to attend the OIC meeting.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan received him at the airport.

Speaking to the media on arrival at Islamabad International Airport, Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi said a stable Afghanistan is important for peace not only in the region but the whole world. He assured that Afghan land will not be allowed to be used against any other country.

Amir Khan Muttaqi said Afghanistan has a lot of expectations from the OIC meeting and hoped this will also help improve the health sector in the country.

Warmly welcoming the Afghan delegation, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said Pakistan has always stood by the Afghan people and will continue to do in future as well.

He said Pakistan is hosting the OIC meeting after forty years and it will discuss as to how the Muslim Ummah can play its role to address the dire situation in Afghanistan.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Nuryshev Shakhrat and Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Aibek Artykbaev have also arrived in Islamabad for the OIC conference.

Foreign Secretary of Oman Al-Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ali Al Harthi has arrived in Islamabad.

Pakistan Ambassador to Vienna Aftab Ahmad Khokher received Deputy Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan Nuryshev Shakhrat and Aibek Artykbaev and Foreign Secretary of Oman Al Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ali AlHarthi. TF Report