Islamabad, 18 December 2021 (TDI): The preparations for the 17th Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are underway in Pakistan. Delegates are arriving in Islamabad to participate in the session of the OIC, Council of Foreign Ministers.

The Extraordinary Session is going to be held on 19th December 2021 in Islamabad. The Foreign Ministers of Malaysia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Germany, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Oman have reached the Federal Capital.

Upon the arrival, Foreign delegates lauded the vital role of Pakistan in the peace-making process and the initiative of hosting the OIC Session on Afghanistan.

Arrival of Foreign Ministers

Foreign Minister of Malaysia

On 18 December 2021, Minister for Defence Production, Zubaida Jalal received the Foreign Ministers of Malaysia and Bosnia in Islamabad. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi welcomed his Malaysian counterpart through his official Twitter handle.

While speaking to the media on his arrival at Islamabad International Airport, the Foreign Minister of Malaysia, Saif-ud-din Abdullah remarked about the Extraordinary Session of OIC as a need of the hour, considering the ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan.

He further praised the efforts of Pakistan in peacemaking in the entire region and particularly in Afghanistan. Moreover, he also commended Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees for several decades and extending assistance to them.

The Malaysian Foreign Minister urged Muslim Ummah to come forward and further unify to create cohesion in the entire Ummah.

Foreign Minister of Bosnia

The Foreign Minister of Bosnia, Dr. Bisera Turkovic, upon his arrival in Islamabad, appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to host the Extraordinary Session of the OIC and considered that the upcoming session will serve to highlight the issue of Afghanistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister welcomed his Bosnian counterpart in a tweet.

Zubaida Jalal’s Meeting with Bosnian, Malaysian Foreign Ministers

Zubaida Jalal, the Minister for Defence Production, while receiving the Bosnian and Malaysian Foreign Ministers mentioned the views of Prime Minister Imran Khan about the ongoing situation of Afghanistan.

She spoke that Imran Khan has attached utmost importance to cordial ties with neighbouring countries and played an important role as a political leader in finding suitable solutions for the Afghan crisis by highlighting it at many international forums. She showed her confidence in the OIC Session that it will provide a broader pathway for the Afghan issue.

Arrival of Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan was received by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Khan at Islamabad International Airport.

While making remarks upon his arrival in Islamabad, the Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, mentioned that peace in Afghanistan is vital not for the region only, but also for the entire globe.

He further stated that Afghanistan’s land cannot be used for any terrorist activities within and without the country as well as against any other state. Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed his hope from the OIC Summit to reach an inclusive conclusion to bring harmony to Afghanistan.

Due to increasing chaos and distress in Afghanistan, he mentioned that the health sector is enduring immense shocks and Afghan masses are looking towards the global bigwigs to provide urgent assistance to improve and uplift the health sector of Afghanistan.

The Afghan official appreciated the significant role and efforts of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in organising and hosting the OIC Summit on Afghanistan.

Ali Muhammad Khan, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, warmly welcomed the official representative of Afghanistan and mentioned that Pakistan has always supported Afghanistan during odd hours and will extend its support in future too.

He further mentioned that Pakistan is going to host the OIC Summit after four decades and in the upcoming session Pakistan hopes to devise an efficient solution to the ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis in Afghanistan.

Minister Khan highlighted that the OIC Summit will reunite Muslim Ummah to play an effective role to address the issues prevalent in Afghanistan.

Arrival of Foreign Ministers of Central Asian Republics

Nuryshev Shakhrat, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, and Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Aibek Artykbaev have arrived in Islamabad to attend the OIC conference.

Foreign Ministers of Central Asian Republics have shown a grateful attitude towards the inclusive role of Pakistan in bringing peace and harmony in the region.

Ambassador Aftab Khokhar has received the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, Ikham Makhdamov, on 18 December 2021. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan welcomed the Central Asian dignitaries.

Additionally, a delegation led by the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov has been received by the Minister of Science and Technology, Shibli Faraz in Islamabad for the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC.

The Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan said that Pakistan has timely organised the OIC Summit, considering the urgency in Afghanistan. He further expressed that the world is highly appreciative of the role of Pakistan in maintaining peace and urging to bring harmony in the region and beyond. Jeyhun Bayramov was also welcomed by Shah Mehmood Qureshi through a tweet.

Shibli Faraz talked to the guests and attached high hopes with the conclusion of the OIC Summit for the Afghan crisis. Ali Muhammad Khan, the Minister of States for Parliamentary Affairs, welcomed the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, to attend the OIC conference.

Arrival of Representatives of Gulf States

The Foreign Secretary of Oman, Al-Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ali Al-Harthi arrived in Islamabad to participate in the OIC Conference. He underscored the significance of the OIC Summit in the present times of unrest and chaos in the region.

In addition, Shibli Faraz, Minister of Science and Technology and Special Representatives for the Middle East and Interfaith Harmony, Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Ashrafi welcomed Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al Mohammad Al Sabah, the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister in Islamabad.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, warmly welcomed his counterpart on his visit to the Foreign Office.

Dr. Nayef Faleh M. Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called on the Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and exchanged views on expanding bilateral ties.

Furthermore, the two discussed materializing free trade agreements between Pakistan and GCC states and adopting a multidimensional approach to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Image

Along with this, Pakistan warmly welcomed Special Representative of the Government of Germany to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Jasper Weick to participate in the OIC conference.

Pakistan has always made efforts to eradicate the endless cycle of deprivation and oppression through peaceful channels. The OIC Summit is significant in its own kind for the region and also for the entire global stage for the promotion of peace, uplifting humanity and helping the shambled economy for Afghanistan.

The Muslim Ummah is looking forward to the successful and adaptive conclusion of the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC, Council of Foreign Ministers.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR