ISLAMABAD   -   Pakistan has helped expand the influence of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as top powers like the United States, China and Russia have acknowledged the role of the body for Afghanistan peace. Pakistan hosted the OIC Foreign Ministers and offices on December 19 for an extraordinary meeting on Afghanistan. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the US, China and Russia. The conference was the largest international summit on Afghanistan since the Taliban deposed the US-backed Afghan government in August. The OIC vowed “to unlock the financial and banking channels to resume liquidity and flow of financial and humanitarian assistance.” US, China and others appreciated the role of Pakistan to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan which highlighted the role of OIC.  Yesterday, Foreign Minister Qureshi said the UNSC resolution to provide aid to Afghan people and US exemption to allow business with Taliban were major developments. “Surely, this is a major breakthrough. 

I want to congratulate the Afghan people. OIC’s session of the foreign ministers starts coming to fruition,” the foreign minister tweeted. The FM maintained that the OIC session also succeeded in evolving consensus among the participants for appointing a special OIC envoy on Afghanistan humanitarian assistance, establishing a Trust Fund which also started receiving funds and launching a food security program. He added that he would also talk to the member countries to consider the option of establishing an air corridor or others to ensure an urgent supply of food. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that presented by the US and adopted by all at the UNSC, the resolution would enable the United Nations and international NGOs to extend assistance to the Afghan people. 

The resolution states that “payment of funds, other financial assets or economic resources, and the provision of goods and services necessary to ensure the timely delivery of such assistance or to support such activities are permitted”. Appreciating the role of Saudi Arabia, the FM said the OIC foreign minister’s extraordinary session held on December 19, proved to be a key to opening up the avenue for support to the suffering people of Afghanistan. The FM also called it the success of Pakistan’s foreign policy. The FM said the world considered the extraordinary session of the OIC foreign ministers a successful event. The world, he said, should not abandon the people of Afghanistan in an hour of dire need.