OIC conference: Let’s not be dragged into blocs and conflicts, says PM Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the world is moving in a worrisome direction, and it is crucial that "we get united and take a stand against blocs and conflicts".

In his address to the 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the PM welcomed all the visiting foreign ministers and excellencies.

The PM said that the world is moving in a direction that is "sadly worrisome for all of us in bloc politics and in cold war", adding that the Islamic world keep underestimating itself in terms of its strengths.

He said Muslims lack self-belief, and look to others to help them get justice.

"But as the world where it is headed, it is extremely important that we get united and on certain core issues take a stand and not be dragged into blocs and conflicts.

"We should stay as a bloc and show our power in bringing about peace rather than becoming part of any conflict."

'World realising reality of Islamophobia'

Meanwhile, the PM congratulated the Muslim world for the recent adoption of a resolution against Islamophobia by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

He said the world was now realising that Islamophobia was a reality and more was needed to be done to combat it.

On Ukraine, the PM said that the OIC foreign ministers should discuss how the body could "mediate, try to bring about a ceasefire and an end to the conflict", saying that if the war continued it would have great consequences for the world.

"All countries that are non-partisan are in a special position to be able to influence this conflict."

Earlier, the two-day 48th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the OIC opened in Islamabad with a focus on “partnering for unity, justice and development”.

Foreign ministers and high-level dignitaries from OIC member and observer states are attending the CFM, including State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi of the People’s Republic of China, who is attending as a special guest.

The visitors wil witness the Pakistan Day Parade on 23 March 2022 as guests of honour.

Senior officials from non-OIC countries, senior representatives from the United Nations system, regional and international organisations, including the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are also taking part.

The OIC is meeting with an ambitious agenda that seeks approval for over 100 declarations, including aid for financially strapped Afghanistan and support for Palestinians and Kashmiris.

'OIC a bridge among Muslim countries'

Addressing the conference, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the OIC is the collective voice of nearly two billion Muslims and is a bridge among Muslim countries.

He urged the OIC to forge a collective response to meet challenges faced by the Muslim ummah. While highlighting Pakistan’s foreign policy, Qureshi said that promoting solidarity and cooperation with Muslim ummah is the country's top priority.

"Pakistan’s overarching goal as chair of the 48th session of the OIC meeting shall be to further solidify the cooperation amongst the Muslim countries," he said.

He added that the Muslim world is faced with conflicts in the Middle East and the denial of the right to self-determination, most notably to the people of Palestine and Kashmir.

He said that the Muslims of Palestine and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are still reeling under abominable subjugation.

On Afghanistan, Qureshi said that addressing the humanitarian crisis in Kabul and preventing a collapse of the Afghan economy must remain top priorities.

He further said that the country must also encourage and support efforts of Afghan authorities to eliminate terrorist groups.

"We must guard against spoilers that wish to continue destabilizing Afghanistan and using its territory to promote terrorism.

A peaceful, stable, inclusive, prosperous and connected Afghanistan is in the best interest of us all."

OIC reiterates call to support rights of Kashmiri

Secretary-General of OIC Hissein Brahim Taha also addressed the conference, stressing upon making concerted efforts by all OIC member states to tackle the various challenges being faced by the Muslim Ummah.

He reiterated OIC’s call to support the rights of the Kashmiri people to self-determination in line with the resolutions of the UNSC.

Right to self-determination: OIC fully supports Kashmiris’ struggle

He said the world was facing racial discrimination, and called upon OIC member countries to get their act together to fight this challenge.

Hissein further said that fighting terrorism was an absolute priority of the OIC.