Islamabad: Proud moment for Pakistan as it hosts the 48th session of the Council of the Foreign Ministers (CFMs) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Foreign Ministers and high-level dignitaries from 57 OIC member states and observer states attended the session taking place in the parliament of Pakistan. Chinese Foreign Minister Wand Yi attended the session as a Special Guest.
The theme of the 48th session is “Building Partnerships for Unity, Justice, and Development”. Over 100 resolutions will be considered during the two-day session.
Imran Khan’s address
The first day of the two-day 48th session of CFMs of the OIC ended with the Prime Minister of Pakistan delivering a keynote address.
The Premier warmly welcomed all the guests to the conference which is being conducted
Prime Minister began his speech by congratulating the Muslim world on the successful passage of the resolution in the United Nations General Assembly requesting to observe March 15 as an International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
While referring to the claims of people calling themselves ‘moderate Muslims,’ Imran Khan said that making such statements make the point that there is some sort of radical Islam.
‘When you say this [calling oneself moderate Muslim], you automatically say there are some extremist Muslims,” Imran Khan said.
“Once that happens, how is a man in the street in Western countries supposed to differentiate between a moderate Muslim and a radical Muslim? Hence, this man walks into a mosque and shoots everyone he could,” Imran Khan referred to the massacre of Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Prime Minister Imran Khan also mentioned the atrocities in Palestine and Indian occupied Kashmir, highlighting the right to self-determination for the people of these territories. He said that India was committing ‘war crimes’ by trying to change the demography of the occupied territory.
Prime Minister also talked about the ongoing war in Ukraine and said that he would hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, later in the day, to discuss diplomatic outcomes to the conflict.
Talking about the severity of the conflict, he said that the whole world would feel the impact if fighting there did not stop.
Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of safe and secure Afghanistan. He said we can only stop international terrorism if we help Afghanistan to do so. No outer force could come to Afghanistan, bomb its people and claim they can eradicate terrorism.
He cautioned nations not to push the people of Afghanistan to do things where they feel their sovereignty is being threatened, as he referred to the character of the Afghan people being one of pride. He said they are open-minded people who do not like to be dictated.
Pakistan assumes Chair of OIC-CFM 2022-23
The first day of the session started with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi welcoming the guests to the conference and expressing Pakistan’s pride in hosting such an honourable session.
Pakistan assumed the Chair of the 48th session of the OIC-CFM to Pakistan represented by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The Chair was handed over to Pakistan by Hassoumi Massoudou, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Niger and also the Chair of the 47th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.
“As Chair of the OIC-CFM during 2022-23, Pakistan’s overarching goal shall be to solidify this bridging role further,” Shah Mehmood Qureshi said assuming the chair.
During his speech, FM Qureshi termed the OIC as a source of connection among Muslims and between Muslims and the international community.
“The OIC is the collective voice of nearly two billion Muslims. It is the bridge among the Muslim nations and between the Muslim world and the international community,” Qureshi said.
Qureshi also highlighted the oppression of Muslims around the world, most notably in Kashmir and Palestine.
He said that the people of Kashmir and Palestine faced the denial of their right to self-determination.
Qureshi also reminded everyone of the hardships the people of Afghanistan going through and appreciated the efforts taken by the Afghan government to curb terrorism and terrorist organizations.
“We must guard against spoilers that wish to continue destabilising Afghanistan and using its territory to promote terrorism,” he said.
more to follow…
