ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is departing for the African nation of Niger to represent Pakistan at the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting.
In a video message, the foreign minister said the meeting will deliberate upon the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah and other important issues. Qureshi said he will present Pakistan’s stance on the changes taking place on the international landscape.
The foreign minister said the Muslims are perturbed over the rising incidents of Islamophobia and Pakistan has a categorical and clear stance on the matter. He said this is the appropriate forum to highlight Indian atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and state terrorism in Pakistan.
The foreign minister said that he will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the Islamic countries on the sidelines of the meeting. The OIC is holding the 47th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Niamey, the capital of the Republic of Niger from 27-28th November 2020.
The theme of the session is “United against Terrorism for Peace and Development”. OIC Secretary-General Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen has said the meeting will discuss a range of topics and issues concerning the Muslim world.
In addition to the Palestinian cause, the fight against violence, extremism and terrorism, Islamophobia and defamation of religious, the council will discuss the situation of Muslim minorities and communities in non-member states, fundraising for the Rohingya case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as well as the promotion of dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions, and other emerging matters.
The OIC foreign ministers will also discuss political, humanitarian, economic, social and cultural and other issues related to science and technology, media and the progress made in the implementation of the “OIC-2025: Plan of Action”. The council meeting will also feature a brainstorming session on “Security and Humanitarian Challenges Confronting African Sahel States Members of the OIC”.
