ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that as the collective voice of the Muslim Ummah, the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) can and must play its part in helping address the urgent humanitarian and socioeconomic needs of our Afghan brethren.
In a statement, the prime minister said that Pakistan is pleased to host the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM).
“I greatly appreciate the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Summit Chair of the OIC, to convene this Extraordinary Session – which Pakistan offered to host,” he said.
The prime minister said that the OIC Extraordinary Session will review the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and identify concrete measures for helping the Afghan people that are in dire need of international support and assistance.
I welcome delegations from OIC mbr states, observers, friends, partners & int orgs to Pakistan. The extraordinary session of OIC CFMs is an expression of solidarity with the Afghan ppl & to focus our collective energies on addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 18, 2021
Imran Khan said that Afghanistan, today, faces a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. He said that it could trigger an economic collapse, exacerbate the security situation, spur instability, and lead to the mass exodus of refugees from the Country.
“It is my sincere hope that true to the tradition of Islamic solidarity and brotherhood, this meeting will go a long way in contributing towards achieving meaningful outcomes for our Afghan brothers and sisters,” the prime minister said.
“It would also help galvanize support from other international actors and partners for the well-being of the Afghan people, which is an essential pre-requisite for consolidating peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he added.
