Delegates arrive in Islamabad to attend OIC moot on Afghanistan

Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan, Indonesia, Bosnia and Malaysia arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to attend 17th extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal received foreign ministers of Bosnia and Malaysia Dr Bisera Turkovic and Saifuddin Abdullah along with their entourage, at the red carpet rolled out in their honour.

Talking to the media, Bosnian FM Bisera Turkovic congratulated Prime Minister Imran Khan for organising such an important gathering on Afghanistan.

She said it was extremely important to discuss existing problems in Afghanistan and, “I think this huge gathering is going to come up with a firm stance about our duty to jointly find the best possible solution.”

The Malaysian FM, commending Prime Minister Imran Khan for hosting the OIC’s special moot, said Pakistan had shown ‘a very good example’ in this case as it had already been hosting about four million Afghan refugees and providing all kinds of assistance.

It was ‘timely’ and ‘important’ meeting that brought the Muslim Ummah to come together and take some concrete steps to help resolve more pressing issues, especially humanitarian one in Afghanistan, he remarked.

Minister Zubaida Jalal highlighted Pakistan’s steps for the welfare of the Afghan people and said, “It is an honour for Pakistan that it is taking another such an important initiative (moot).

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi was also received by Zubaida Jalal.

Talking to media, the Indonesian FM said, “Her presence here today is reflection of our solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.”
She said Indonesia was always ready to contribute to the welfare of Afghans. “The Muslim world has the responsibility to make Afghanistan better for its people.”

She extended gratitude to Pakistan for hosting a special moot on Afghanistan.

Acting foreign minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi and Kyrghyzstan’s deputy foreign minister have also arrived in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan on Saturday said Interim Afghan government’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi would brief the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states on deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Terming the moot an ‘important meeting’, he said it would provide an opportunity to the delegates from around the world to know on-the-ground situation in Afghanistan and find a solution.

Special arrangements have been made to welcome the delegates of OIC member states at Islamabad International Airport, arriving to participate in the moot.

The core objectives of the conference are to highlight the need for urgent assistance and mobilization of resources to avert a looming humanitarian crisis in the war-torn Afghanistan.

Special security arrangements were also in place for such a mega event.

There will be a ban on entry in the red zone as 5,000 police personnel will be on the guard. Personnel from Army Rangers, Special Branch, Traffic Division, Operations Division and Security Division were will be part of the security arrangements.

Constitution Avenue will be off-limits for traffic and the three Metro Bus stops in Islamabad will also be closed.

Reporter Usman Javed