ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday hoped that countries participating in the 17th extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers would reach consensus on measures to improve the situation in Afghanistan.
Talking to journalists at the Parliament House after examining the arrangements of the summit, the foreign minister pointed out that with the world joining its voice, Pakistan’s stance on the prevailing situation in Afghanistan was growingly getting recognition.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan has been constantly trying to bring the world’s attention to Afghanistan and I am confident that Pakistan, along with foreign ministers of other Muslim countries, will move a step forward in building that consensus,” he added.
FM Qurehsi reiterated that the economic collapse of Afghanistan would not only impact the immediate neighbors or region but the world in form of exodus of refugees as well as terrorism.
“Around 11 NATO commanders who had served in Afghanistan were pointing towards this crisis. Those ambassadors, who have served in Kabul and are aware of the ground realities, are making the world aware of the situation and saying it is their opinion that Biden administration should review its policy to protect humanity and millions of Afghans in whom the US and the West have invested so much,” he added.
Qureshi held up a copy of a letter that he said had been written by 37 American congressmen and addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in which they said “it is our responsibility, our moral obligation to avert a humanitarian crisis” in Afghanistan.
“I believe this new thought is the purpose of this extraordinary session of foreign ministers. It was our wish to bring the world’s attention to Afghanistan and I can see the progress,” he reiterated.
Qureshi shared that around 437 delegates had registered themselves for the summit. A meeting would be held today to discuss the agenda and working plan for the Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting tomorrow, he said, adding, “I am confident that we will reach consensus this time and tomorrow’s session will be very important and historic.
“We are standing at a point in history where if we take the right step, there can be peace in the region and stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. And God forbid, we do not take timely steps and correct decisions, Afghanistan could face another crisis, and all of its neighbours, and Europe will be affected,” he concluded.
Arrival of foreign dignitaries
Meanwhile, foreign dignitaries continued to arrive in Pakistan ahead of the OIC summit. Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in Islamabad on Saturday and was welcomed by federal minister Ali Mohammad Khan and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansoor Ahmed Khan.
Foreign Ministers of Bosnia, Malaysia and Indonesia also arrived in the capital earlier in the day. They were welcomed by Defence Production Minister Zubaida Jalal, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.
In addition, Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Nuryshev Shakhrat and Special Representative of Germany for Afghanistan Ambassador Jasper Wieck also reached the country.
The moot was proposed by Saudi Arabia last month, following which Pakistan had welcomed the move and offered to host the session.
