48th session of OIC CFM begins in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The 48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) began at the Parliament House, Islamabad Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is chairing the session. Welcoming the foreign dignitaries, he said, “It is a matter of pride for us to host this meeting in 2022 which marks the 75th Anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.”

He commended the “leadership role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the OIC Summit Chair” and expressed profound gratitude to the OIC General Secretariat for facilitating this important meeting.

Qureshi maintained that the OIC is the collective voice of nearly 2 billion Muslims. “It is a bridge among Muslim nations and between the Muslim world and the international community,” he added.

“Promoting solidarity and cooperation within the Muslim Ummah is one of the central pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy. As Chair of the OIC-CFM during 2022-23, Pakistan’s overarching goal shall be to solidify this bridging role further.”

Pakistan is hosting the two-day annual meeting of the 57-member body of Muslim counties with the theme ‘Building Partnership for Unity, Justice, and Development’.

Group Photo of Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI and the OIC Delegates at the 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.#PMIKatOIC#OICInPakistan #OIC48CFM pic.twitter.com/rnU6sbB7YS

— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) March 22, 2022

Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI arrived to attend the inaugural session of the 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.#PMIKatOIC#OICInPakistan #OIC48CFM pic.twitter.com/OFn0Ca98d1

— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) March 22, 2022

Upon arrival at the Parliament House, Foreign Minister Qureshi warmly received the dignitaries.

I warmly welcome all delegates to Pakistan for the 48th Session of the @OIC_OCI Council of Foreign Ministers. Pakistan is proud to host you all and we look forward to a constructive session. #OICInPakistan #OIC48CFM

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) March 22, 2022

Prime Minister Imran Khan will deliver a keynote address at the inaugural session. About 46 member states are being represented at the ministerial level in the conference while the rest are being represented by senior officials.

China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is attending the meeting as a special guest.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, Secretary-General OIC Hissein Brahim Taha, and President Islamic Development Bank Dr Muhammad Suleiman Al-Jasser will address the session.

More than 100 resolutions will be considered during the two-day session that coincides with the 75th anniversary celebrations of Pakistan’s independence.

Also Read: Traffic plan for OIC moot in Islamabad announced

On March 23, the visiting foreign ministers will visit the Pakistan Day parade venue and witness the professional capability of Pakistan’s armed forces and the traditional floats of all the provinces, reflecting the national unity.

Decor and Lighting for OIC delegates – 1 pic.twitter.com/gCrGzcRast

— Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat (@hamzashafqaat) March 21, 2022

In a tweet, Prime Minister Imran Khan “warmly welcomed Foreign Ministers & delegations from OIC mbr states, observers, partners & intl orgs to #48OICCFM in Islamabad.”

“Under overarching theme of ‘Unity, Justice & Development’, OIC-CFM will have wide-ranging deliberations. People are honoured with your presence,” he said.

I warmly welcome Foreign Ministers & delegations from OIC mbr states, observers, partners & intl orgs to #48OICCFM in Islamabad. Under overarching theme of ‘Unity, Justice & Development’, OIC-CFM will have wide-ranging deliberations. People of 🇵🇰 are honoured with your presence.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 20, 2022

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “The OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is meeting at a time of massive global upheavals. New realities have shaken the global world order & there is a raging uncertainty. Hope the 48th Session will chart the way forward for Muslim Ummah to respond to the challenges.”

The OIC Council of Foreign Ministers is meeting at a time of massive global upheavals. New realities have shaken the global world order & there is a raging uncertainty. Hope the 48th Session will chart the way forward for Muslim Ummah to respond to the challenges.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 22, 2022