Prime Minister Imran Khan has underlined that the Islamic countries must carefully navigate the “new realities” and actively shape the emerging world order to realize their individual and collective interests.
“Towards that objective, they must first promote and preserve their sovereignty and territorial integrity by upholding principles, avoiding involvement in great power rivalries, resolving inter-Islamic disputes, and preventing foreign interference and intervention,” the prime minister said in an article published in the “Arab News” on March 19.
The prime minister further said that as a force for peace with justice, the OIC must continue to support the just causes of Palestine and Kashmir for self-determination and liberation from foreign occupation. “Although these goals are daunting, I am convinced that the arc of history bends toward justice,” the prime minister shared his thoughts as Pakistan is set to host the 48th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM) on March 22-23. He said that the convening of the Islamic Foreign Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad on the 75th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence is an extraordinary display of Muslim solidarity with Pakistan. The prime minister said the Islamabad meeting was taking place at a critical moment in world history.
“Structures of the global security and economic order established in 1945 have been eroded by the repeated unilateral use of force, a new “cold war” and growing inequalities among and within nations, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of climate change and the technology revolution,” he observed.
The prime minister said the OIC is the world’s second-largest intergovernmental organization and represents the collective voice of the Islamic world.
While reiterating that Pakistan would always remain a fortress of Islam and a defender of the rights and interests of Muslims around the world, said that over the years, the organization had proactively advanced the shared interests and objectives of the Islamic world.
“It has sought to promote international peace and security, understanding and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions, and to foster the noble Islamic values of peace, justice and mutual respect,” he said.
Prime Minister Khan urged the Muslim countries to promote and find their own solutions to the problems confronting the Muslim world.
He further said that India’s attempt to impose a final solution on Jammu and Kashmir, by robbing it of its identity, changing its demography and brutally repressing its people, would fail.
“Durable peace and stability in South Asia is contingent on pacific settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” he stressed.
The prime minister said Pakistan sought friendly relations with all neighbours, including India, adding New Delhi should create the conditions conducive for a sincere and result-oriented dialogue with Pakistan and the Kashmiris, by reversing its unilateral measures in occupied Kashmir. After 40 years, he said there was a real opportunity to restore peace and security in Afghanistan and the region. “We must act collectively to avert a humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in Afghanistan, and engage actively with the Afghan authorities to promote human rights, especially women’s rights, encourage greater inclusivity,” the prime minister added.
