ISLAMABAD
\nThe Muslim world leaders attending the extraordinary session of OIC countries\u2019 foreign ministers, Sunday called for an immediate and unified action to avert the looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan which otherwise could impact world peace.
\nAddressing the opening session of the 17th extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation\u2019s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers to discuss the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the leaders were unanimous to call for the OIC\u2019s role to protect the brotherly country from an economic collapse.
\nIn his address, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said that the economic difficulties could trigger a humanitarian crisis and lead to further instability, impacting impact regional and international peace.
\nOIC leaders laud Pakistan\u2019s efforts, call for unified action on Afghanistan crisis
\nHe said the people of Afghanistan have suffered for too long and had faced years of instability.
\nThe Saudi FM said that the OIC meeting expressed solidarity with the Afghans and drew the world\u2019s attention towards the need for immediate action to put an end to the deteriorating situation.
\nHe also urged OIC member states to play a part in providing the Afghans with the necessary support and to prevent an economic collapse in the country.
\nHe told the gathering that Saudi Arabia had recently airlifted food supplies on the directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and also condemned terrorist actions targeting minorities in Afghanistan.
\nOIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha thanked the member countries for electing him to head the OIC and also thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome.
\n\u201cWe thank Pakistan and its people for playing host to the Conference, which is yet another expression of the country\u2019s full commitment to the advancement of the issues of the Muslim Ummah, and its concern for promoting peace and security in the region,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cThis effort gives a universal message of harmony and solidarity,\u201d he said, adding that the Afghan issue has always been high on the OIC agenda.
\n\u201cThe OIC has always taken a strong position which supports its member countries,\u201d he said adding that the Muslim world body called for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.
\nThe OIC secretary-general said that the role of OIC members in delivering humanitarian assistance was more important now than ever before as the pandemic had exacerbated existing challenges.
\n\u201cWe commend the humanitarian assistance provided by some member states to the Afghan people. We also call for all parties concerned to cooperate with the OIC mission in Kabul to provide relief to the affected Afghan people,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cWe call all Afghan parties to put the interests of their people first, protect their lives, keep away from violence and bring lasting peace in fulfilment of their aspirations and hopes for stability, decent living and prosperity.\u201d
\nTaha said, \u201cThe OIC is ready to carry out a follow-up of the outcome and to play its role in supporting humanitarian action in coordination with the relevant OIC missions and relief agencies across the Muslim world,\u2019 he said.
\nTurkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who spoke on behalf of OIC Asia Group, said the solidarity with the Afghan people was OIC countries\u2019 moral obligation and religious duty.
\nHe said the OIC should play a leading role in mobilizing international support for the Afghan people and called for a coordinated mechanism for supporting the Afghan people.
\nThe Turkish foreign minister also urged the world to support Pakistan\u2019s efforts and called the establishment of a Trust by the Islamic Development Bank a step in the right direction.
\nMevlut Cavusoglu also underscored the need for enhanced engagement with the Taliban to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan, adding that the inclusive government and respect for women\u2019s rights would increase the legitimacy of the Afghan government.
\nUnder-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said Afghanistan\u2019s economy was now in free fall and if we do not act decisively and with compassion, this fall will pull down the entire population with it.
\nMartin Griffiths said the need for liquidity and stabilization of the banking system was now urgent to save the lives of the Afghan people as well as enable humanitarian organizations to respond.
\nHe said the UN stands firmly with the OIC in its efforts to contribute to the humanitarian endeavor.
\nChairman Islamic Development Bank Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser said that immediate humanitarian relief to Afghanistan is essential to build a foundation for economic recovery and development.
\nHe said there was a need for medium to long-term engagement to promote self-reliance and development beyond immediate humanitarian relief through reconstruction activities.
\nThe Chairman Islamic Development Bank also emphasized the need for the development of agriculture sector in Afghanistan to ensure food security and poverty reduction. Foreign Minister of Jordan Ayman Safadi emphasized the need for rebuilding and reconstructing efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
\nHe said choice was clear as all the Muslim world should together protect Afghan people as half of the population was under threat. He said it was a time to take the right decision and achieve the shared goals.
\nMinister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Niger Youssouf Elmouctar commended the Government and the people of Pakistan for hosting the session despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
\nHe commended the Saudi initiative for convening the session on Afghanistan as the situation had led to a multifaceted crisis there. He said the Afghan people particularly the winter would be unable to bear the severe winter season which necessitated immediate action to address the situation.
\nHe called for all the possible efforts to extend support to the people of Afghanistan without any interference in the affairs of the country. He also called for respecting the rights of the Afghan people in light of the Islamic teachings. =DNA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD The Muslim world leaders attending the extraordinary session of OIC countries\u2019 foreign ministers, Sunday called for an immediate and unified action to avert the looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan which otherwise could impact world peace. Addressing the opening session of the 17th extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation\u2019s (OIC) Council of Foreign […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-233867","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n