Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that the Muslim world is facing grave challenges ranging from political and social turmoil to extremism and intolerance. These challenges not only threaten international peace and security but are also impacting on our social, cultural and economic and political life. Unless we address these challenges collectively, we will not be able to move towards prosperity and stability, he added. He was addressing at the 41st Session of Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Jeddah on 18 June, 2014 He said that these challenges emanated, not only from foreign occupation, suppression of people’s right to self-determination and unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of the Muslim countries but also unfortunately, from internal turmoil within the Muslim world. He said, “Pakistan has always been committed to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan through Afghan owned process. A peaceful Afghanistan will ensure a peaceful future of the entire South Asian region.” ‘Pakistan supports the traditional integrity of Azerbaijan and early restoration of sovereignty of Azerbaijan to Nogorno Karabakh and other Azri territories occupied by Armenia. We stress the need for peaceful settlement of Nogorno Karabakh in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions’, he added. Appreciating the role of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir he said, ‘the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir has been playing a key role in raising awareness among member states on the deteriorating situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir. The work of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir is a source of strengthen for the people of Jammu and Kashmir’. Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its form and manifestations. We are also playing the central role in rooting out this evil. As we speak, Pakistani brave soldiers are fighting to eliminate militants or extremists in North Waziristan and make it safe for our people. He suggested that the Ummah is endowed with enormous human and material resource. We need to develop cooperative mechanisms to pool our resources for economic development, science and technology and for peace building efforts in Muslim lands. He further said that In its quest to improve culture of scientific research and reduce brain drain from the OIC region, COMSTECH has financed more than 400 research projects in 28 member states of OIC so far. Science Technology and Innovation Organization (STIO), conceived during the 34th meeting, is crucial as implementing arm of COMSTECH. As chair of COMSTECH, Pakistan is planning to convene the 15th General Assembly of COMSTECH in Islamabad in November, 2014 along with the OIC Summit on Science and Technology. At the end Adviser to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said, “Let me conclude by reiterating that we face huge challenges in diverse fields, we can transform these challenges into opportunities by expanding intra-OIC Cooperation and building synergies. “Our strength lies in solidarity and a strong sense of brotherhood. Let us work together to channelize this strength for the progress and prosperity of our people. I take this opportunity to offer hosting the 44th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in 2017 in Islamabad, he concluded.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:05:34 +0000
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