Pakistan urges OIC to become ‘voice of conscience’ for Rohingya

• PM holds meetings with the Turkish president, King Abdullah of Jordan, Sri Lankan president

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to play its role and become a “voice of conscience” for the Rohingya, while assuring Pakistan’s complete support to this “virtuous cause”.

“Pakistan reiterates its commitment to take full part in any humanitarian effort by the OIC or UN to help the Rohingya Muslims,” the prime minister said.

Addressing the OIC Contact Group meeting at the UN headquarters on Tuesday, the prime minister expressed grave concern over the ongoing Rohingya crisis and urged the international community to exert pressure on the Myanmar government to stop the killing of Rohingyas.

Abbasi said that over 400,000 Rohingya have become refugees, and demanded an end to this “systematic and endemic discrimination”.

Pakistan also demanded of the Myanmar government to take immediate measures to de-escalate the situation, and ensure safety and security of the Muslim Rohingya population.

Myanmar must create favourable conditions for the safe return of all Rohingya refugees and grant rights, including citizenship, communal participation and representation and freedom of movement, to the Rohingya, as equal citizens of Myanmar, urged the prime minister.

The prime minister also held meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, King Abdullah of Jordan and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of the UNGA Session in New York.

PAKISTAN AND TURKEY:

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The prime minister said that linkages between people of the two countries had transformed into a strategic partnership that is strengthening with each passing day.

He thanked the Turkish president for Turkey’s unflinching support to the struggle of the people of Indian occupied Kashmir.

President Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment for continued endeavours for the strengthening of the mutually beneficial strategic partnership.

They agreed that there was no military solution to the Afghan conflict and efforts should continue for a regional approach for an internal political settlement in Afghanistan through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.

Both the leaders agreed on the revival of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Turkey Trilateral process for promoting lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

PAKISTAN AND JORDAN:

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and King Abdullah -II of Jordan also met on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session in New York and both the sides expressed satisfaction over the commonality of views on issues of regional and global significance.

The two leaders also stressed the importance of holding regular bilateral engagements to achieve their shared objectives.

PAKISTAN AND SRI LANKA:

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have also agreed to cooperate, at all multilateral forums, in the spirit of neighbourhood and longstanding relationships.

This was agreed at a meeting between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of the UNGA session in New York.

The Sri Lankan president stressed on the need for enhancement of trade and economic relations between the two countries. It was agreed that there is a large potential for expansion in defence cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Sri Lanka, being an important member of SAARC, can play a significant role in the region.

He said Pakistan wants to further expand trade and economic cooperation with Sri Lanka.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is in New York to attend the 72^nd Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (GA) that started on September 18.

This is the first interaction of PM Abbasi with several heads of states after being elected to the top slot. A delegation comprising cabinet members and top bureaucrats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is accompanying the prime minister who is all set to open a new dialogue with senior US officials.