Prime Minister Imran Khan will focus on the imperatives of unity of the Ummah, support for Muslim causes including Jammu and Kashmir, and countering growing Islamophobia in the 14th OIC Summit being held in Makkah-ul-Mukarramah on May 31, 2019, Foreign Office said.
According to Foreign Office spokesperson, Dr Mohammad Faisal, Prime Minister Imran Khan will represent Pakistan in the 14th OIC Summit, adding that the Summit will provide a valuable platform for OIC states to exchange views and deliberate on a range of political, economic and security issues of interest to Islamic countries.
He said that the Prime Minister will, among other things, focus on the imperatives of solidarity and unity of the Ummah, support for Muslim causes including Jammu and Kashmir, countering growing Islamophobia, and ensuring educational and scientific excellence.
The 14th Summit will be preceded by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting on 29 May 2019. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is leading Pakistan's delegation to the CFM and will also participate in the meeting of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, and meet his counterparts from OIC countries.
Before leaving Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Qureshi told media persons that the Summit is being held a time when the Ummah is facing serious challenges, adding that the Summit will hold discussions on the situation in the Middle East as well as the escalation in tension between Iran and United States. "The OIC summit is very important to discuss the Middle East conflict and also the proposed peace plan to defuse the situation," Qureshi said, while referring to the proposed peace plan initiated by the US aimed at reviving the peace between Israel and Palestine.
The year 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of OIC. Founded in 1969, OIC is the second largest multilateral organisation after the UN, encompassing a quarter of the humanity and a cumulative GDP of US $19.4 trillion. As one of its founding members, Pakistan has played a key role in advancing a range of Muslim causes and in efforts to revitalise the Organisation. The OIC has consistently supported Pakistan's principled stand on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute through its resolutions, communiqués and declarations.
In Saudi Arabia, sources said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to meet leadership of various OIC member countries including Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior Saudi leadership to discuss issues of mutual importance, regional and international issues. They said that Prime Minister Khan will also perform Umrah and will also visit Medina Munawarah to pay respects at the Roza-e-Rasool (PBUH).