ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday Pakistan had met its objectives of holding the 17th Extraordinary Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers, adding that his country’s stance on Afghanistan had now been universally recognized.
The meeting’s that took place at Pakistan’s parliament building on Sunday focused on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, where the economy plunged into free fall in mid-August when the Taliban took control as United States-led foreign troops withdrew after 20 years’ presence.
Addressing the senior officials of the country’s foreign ministry, the prime minister said the conference was held on a short notice and applauded their efforts and performance.
He maintained that Pakistan’s international image had significantly improved in the last three years.
“This was also reflected in the [OIC] conference which was well attended,” he said. “Pakistan’s stance [on Afghanistan] was widely supported.”
He appreciated the way the Muslim world stood with his country, saying: “We have met the objective of the conference.”
The prime minister noted that his government had been urging the world community to distinguish between the Taliban and the people of Afghanistan, adding that its view was finally beginning to gain traction.
Khan maintained that Pakistan previously made its foreign policy against its own national interest, as its leaders tarnished the country’s reputation to secure some foreign aid.
He specifically mentioned Pakistan’s decision to join the US-led war on terror which he described as “a self-inflicted wound.”
The prime minister also expressed his confidence that the next OIC conference will even turn out to be better than the previous one.
The next OIC conference will also be arranged by Pakistan in March 2022.