Pakistan seeks to build partnership, bridges: FO

Islamabad: Pakistan seeks to build partnerships and bridges of cooperation across the Islamic world to promote collective interests of the Ummah and to address the myriad of challenges confronting Muslims, Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmed said Friday.

Speaking at his weekly news briefing in Islamabad today (Friday), he said flawless administrative and security arrangements have been made for the two-day 48th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad, beginning from Tuesday.

The Spokesperson said theme of the Session – “Partnering for Unity, Justice, and Development” – represents our commitment to foster unity within the Ummah, advance the cause of justice for all Muslims, and promote prosperity and sustainable development for OIC Member States.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan will make keynote address at the Inaugural Session.

Ahmed said the core issues on the agenda, particularly Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir will be addressed during the Conference.

The discussions will also focus on key priorities such as countering Islamophobia, recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, and diverse matters of peace and security, economic development, cultural and scientific cooperation and revitalizing the role of the OIC.

The spokesperson said the follow-up of the Extra-ordinary Session on Afghanistan will also be reviewed.

He said “we are ready in all respects to receive the participating Foreign Ministers and delegations as our honoured guests.”

Ahmed said the Session is coinciding with the 75th anniversary celebrations of Pakistan’s independence and all the OIC Foreign Ministers will also join at the Pakistan Day Parade as guests of honour, in a show of solidarity with Pakistan and its people.