ISLAMABAD: Representatives of 46 Islamic nations have confirmed their participation in the 48th Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting to be held in Islamabad later this month, the Pakistani foreign minister said on Saturday.
The OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organization in the world after the UN. It comprises 57 Muslim member states spread across four continents. It is considered the collective voice of Muslim countries around the world and aims to promote the interests of its member states.
Pakistan will host the 48th foreign minister’s conference on March 22-23, which coincides with the Pakistan Day parade held on March 23 every year to commemorate the Lahore Resolution, which was adopted on the same day in 1940 and laid the foundation for a Muslim-majority state in South Asia. The OIC foreign ministers will be “guests of honor” at the parade.
“The foreign ministers of 46 Islamic countries confirmed their arrival,” Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told reporters. “This number can increase as well.”
OIC foreign ministers were last in Islamabad in December 2021 for an extraordinary session on Afghanistan, which was called by Saudi Arabia. At the end of the conference, an OIC-led Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan was announced and the OIC Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Kabul appointed.
46 OIC foreign ministers confirm participation in Islamabad conference on March 22-23
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46 OIC foreign ministers confirm participation in Islamabad conference on March 22-23
- Pakistan is hosting the 48th OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting this month
- Conference coincides with Pakistan Day parade where OIC FMs will be “guests of honor“
Pakistan urges dialogue on Iran in call with European Union’s vice president
- Ishaq Dar, Kaja Kallas discuss regional tensions as Pakistan stresses diplomacy
- Both officials also appreciate the ‘positive momentum’ in Pakistan-EU relations
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy while discussing the situation in Iran during a telephone call between Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and the European Union’s Vice President Kaja Kallas, according to the foreign office.
The call came amid heightened regional tensions linked to unrest in Iran, as European governments intensify scrutiny of Tehran’s response to protests and assess broader security risks.
“DPM/FM reaffirmed the importance of sustained dialogue and engagement,” the foreign office said, adding that both sides agreed to remain in close contact.
The statement added that Dar and Kallas welcomed the “positive momentum” in Pakistan-EU relations and discussed ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation.
European governments have in recent days condemned Iran’s crackdown to quell the anti-government protests that broke out last month over economic hardship and escalated into widespread demonstrations.
On Friday, the European Union’s aviation regulator urged airlines to avoid Iranian airspace, citing heightened risks linked to weapons systems, air-defense activity and the potential for misidentification amid elevated regional tensions, according to a Reuters report.
Pakistan has consistently called for restraint, dialogue and political solutions in regional crises, positioning diplomacy as a means to prevent escalation and protect regional stability.
