IRIA News

Pakistan’s prime minister urges Islamic nations to mediate between Russia and Ukraine

Afghanistan and Ukraine crisis as well as Kashmir and Palestine disputes remained the focus of the foreign ministers’ summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Islamabad held from March 22-23.

Nearly 30 foreign ministers and over 700 delegates from 57-member OIC attended the 48th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of OIC in Islamabad, Pakistan. Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria as well as OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha and Islamic Development Bank President Dr Muhammad Suleiman Al-Jasser attended the conference.

They signed a joint communique called the ‘Islamabad Declaration’ at the end of the summit on March 23, agreeing to coordinate and unify efforts to collectively address the challenges confronting the Muslim world.

Russia-Ukraine crisis

OIC members expressed “deep concern at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation” in Ukraine and urged both sides to “engage in meaningful dialogue”. They called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent further loss of life and ensure that the humanitarian crisis does not worsen in Ukraine.” They also stressed the need for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure safe movement of civilians from active conflict zones and the provision of humanitarian supplies

Pakistan’s prime minister urged foreign ministers from Muslim-majority nations and China to help end Russia’s war in Ukraine by leading mediation efforts. “If the war continued, it would have “great consequences for the world”, he cautioned. “All countries that are non-partisan are in a special position to be able to influence this conflict,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi who attended the OIC summit as a special guest of the group said that China supports peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv. “We need to prevent humanitarian disasters and prevent the spill-over of the Ukrainian crisis from affecting or harming the legitimate rights and interests of other regions and countries,” he said.

Palestine and Kashmir

The group reiterated support for the people of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir, including their right to self-determination. “We decide to take further effective measures to remove obstacles to the realization of the Palestinian people to self-determination, through ensuring protection and bringing an end to Israelis’ illegal colonial occupation and apartheid regime, and for achieving a just solution,” the statement said.

They also renewed solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and express full support for their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the OIC, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. They also condemned violations of their human rights by India.

The group also extended support to the Muslims in India and said that the members “are deeply alarmed” by the attacks on the Muslim identity in India, and denounced discrimination and intolerance against Muslims in India. “We call upon India to immediately revoke such discriminatory laws, ensure the rights of the Indian Muslims and protect their religious freedoms.”

The declaration also noted that the group reiterate solidarity with the people of Mali, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire, Union of Comoros, Djibouti, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the People of Jammu and Kashmir and the Turkish Cypriots and their aspirations to live in peace, security and prosperity.

Delivering his keynote address at the summit, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said that “We [OIC] have failed both the Palestinians and the people of Kashmir. I am sad to say that we have been able to make no impact at all.” He deplored that “We [Muslims] are 1.5 billion people and yet our voice to stop this blatant injustice is insignificant.” Khan urged OIC to remain united and stand up against injustice in the world.

China desires cooperation with Islamic world: Chinese FM

China desires to build partnerships for unity, justice and development with the Islamic world, the Chinese foreign minister said at the summit. China and the Islamic world both enjoy a profound history and seek similar values, Wang said, adding that China is ready to build partnerships with the Islamic countries for mutual support and understanding. He told the gathering that China is investing over $400 billion in nearly 600 projects across the Muslim world under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Chinese foreign minister described as positive the role of the OIC as a bridge between China and the Muslim world. During their meeting, the OIC chief and Wang Yi reviewed relations and future prospects between the OIC and China and discussed ways to promote bilateral dialogue and cooperation in political, economic, cultural, education, health spheres.

Afghanistan humanitarian crisis

OIC foreign ministers underscored strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan. They also announced the operationalization of the Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan to help alleviate the urgent humanitarian needs of the Afghan people and appreciated the first contribution of US$1 million from Nigeria.

Pakistan’s prime minister said that it was “extremely important” to stabilise Afghanistan because it was the “only way we are going to be able to stop international terrorism from Afghan soil”.

OIC states in the joint communique reaffirmed the importance of “ensuring that the territory of Afghanistan is not used as a platform or safe haven by any terrorist group, in particular Al-Qaeda, Daesh and its affiliates, ETIM, and TTP.” They also urge the international community to remain cautious against the possibility of incitement and the role of spoilers, both inside and outside the country, to derail efforts aimed at ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan.

– by Sana Jamal in Islamabad