ISLAMABAD: Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha has termed the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) a “great success” in resolving looming humanitarian crises in Afghanistan.
Talking to journalists at Islamabad International Airport before his departure, the OIC chief said he was grateful to the people and government of Pakistan for their hospitality.
“The moot was a success as the OIC managed to appoint a senior official as a special envoy to Afghanistan”, he said, adding that Tarig Ali Bakheet will coordinate with Afghan and international stakeholders to provide assistance to interim Afghan government in view of humanitarian crises.
Hissein Brahim Taha said the newly appointed envoy for Afghanistan has made his first contact with Afghan delegation yesterday. He added that humanitarian fund to support Afghanistan was also set up, expressing hope that the whole world would play a role in providing funds for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib said the OIC moot will open a new chapter of engagement with Afghanistan. The minister expressed hope that decisions made in the meeting will be implemented. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan was also present on the occasion.
‘OIC agrees to set up Humanitarian Trust Fund, launch food security’
A specially convened meeting of the 57 member states of the OIC Sunday vowed to play a leading role in delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of war-torn Afghanistan and unanimously agreed on establishing a Humanitarian Trust Fund, launch a Food Security Programme and engage with the World Health Organization for securing vaccines and medical supplies.
The meeting of the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held on the initiative of Saudi Arabia and hosted by Pakistan was attended by around 70 delegates from the member states, international aid agencies and special representatives.
The unanimously adopted Joint Resolution brings a glimmer of hope for the 22.8 million people – more than half the population of Afghanistan – who face acute food shortage; while 3.2 million children and 700,000 pregnant and lactating women are at a risk of acute malnutrition.
The document adopted after day-long deliberations here at the Parliament building also expressed solidarity with the Afghans and reiterated the commitment of the OIC Member States to help bring peace, security, stability, and development to Afghanistan.
