PM slams Israeli attack, urges OIC to combat Islamophobia
ISLAMABAD, MAY 10: Urging the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take action over the rising incidents of Islamophobia in different parts of the world, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday strongly condemned the Israeli attack on Palestinians outside the Al Aqsa mosque during the holy month of Ramazan and reiterated his call on the international community and the Muslim world to take steps to protect the Palestinians and their legitimate rights.
The prime minister, who is
currently on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, expressed the hope that
Pakistani diaspora would soon see a changed and progressed Pakistan where rule
of law would prevail.
On the third day of the visit,
the prime minister and his wife performed Umrah and doors of Khana Kaaba were
opened specially for him and members of his delegation.
Envoy in S. Arabia asked to help
Pakistanis send money through Roshan digital account
Earlier, the prime minister tweeted: “Strongly condemn Israeli forces’ attack especially during Ramazan on Palestinians in Qibla-e-Awaal, Al-Aqsa Mosque, violating all norms of humanity & international law. We reiterate support for Palestinian people. International community must take immediate action to protect Palestinians & their legitimate rights.”
Prime Minister Khan also met OIC
Secretary General Dr Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen in Makkah and called upon the
organisation to play its rightful role in addressing the serious situation in
Palestine.
Highlighting the increase in the incidents of Islamophobia in different parts of the world, he stressed the importance of a concerted response from the OIC. It was informed that following the prime minister’s letter addressed to the heads of state of Muslim countries, the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Niamey had adopted a unanimous resolution on observing March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Prime Minister Khan said, adding that the international community should show a common resolve against intolerance and incitement to violence on the basis of religion or belief and work together for interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The secretary general informed
the prime minister about OIC’s activities in support of the Jammu and Kashmir
dispute. “The OIC has steadfastly supported the Kashmir cause and in this
context the Niamey CFM culminated with a comprehensive resolution on the
issue,” he added.
Later, Prime Minister Khan met
Secretary General of the World Muslim League (WML) Mohammad Al Issa and
reaffirmed Pakistan’s support and solidarity for the people of Palestine and
underscored the imperative of protecting their legitimate rights.
Mr Khan stressed the importance of bridging the gap in understanding and communication with reference to Islamophobia. He urged the WML secretary general to work towards engaging with all
segments of the Western society, in particular the academia, civil society organisations, intelligentsia and politicians.
The MWL secretary general lauded
the prime minister’s espousal of Ummah’s causes and said he enjoyed an eminent
stature in the Muslim world.
Imam-i-Kaaba Al-Shaikh Abdur
Rahman Al Sudais, with a group of other Imams of Masjid Al Haram, called on
Prime Minister Khan in Makkah. The prime minister hoped for early return of
normalcy, enabling all Muslims to benefit from the blessings of Masjid
Al-Haram. He requested the Imam for special prayers for Pakistan’s progress and
development and the well-being of its people.
Al-Shaikh Abdur Rahman praised PM
Khan’s initiatives on combating Islamophobia and promoting interfaith harmony.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday strongly condemned the Israeli attack on worshippers at the Al Aqsa mosque and reiterated that Pakistan stood steadfast in support of the Palestine cause. “Condemn in strongest terms attack on innocent worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, first Qibla of Islam, by Israeli occupation forces in the holy month of Ramazan,” he said in a tweet, adding that such brutality was against very spirit of humanity and human rights law.
The foreign minister welcomed the
summoning of urgent meeting of Arab League and called it a timely step. Arab
League, OIC and other countries championing the human rights must take notice
of the situation.
Corrupt mafia and status quo
Addressing a gathering of Pakistani
community at a ceremony held in connection with Roshan Digital Account, Prime
Minister Khan said the country was passing through a decisive moment and the
struggle against corrupt mafia and status quo would succeed soon, leading to
Naya Pakistan. “It is a decisive moment, the old status quo and a mafia are
resisting and trying to save themselves. But public supports my party and the
government in the struggle for rule of law,” he claimed.
He said the system based on
humanity survived and ensured prosperity, whereas the rule of jungle led to
nowhere. He said the corrupt elements had been united in (Pakistan) to save
their skins.
“I assure you that no one can
stop this change, due to mass awareness. Social media has brought about a
change as information travelled very fast. The youth and social media have been
the main ingredients of our party’s success,” he added.
Appreciating the role of about
nine million overseas Pakistanis in the prosperity of the country, the prime
minister said they possessed huge potential and had been the biggest asset. He
said their potential was not fully tapped and no efforts were made in the past
to pursue them to invest in the country.
Mr. Khan asked the Pakistani ambassador to Saudi Arabia and State bank of Pakistan governor to keep a close liaison with Pakistani diaspora in Saudi Arabia so that their problems could be addressed and they could send more and more remittances through Roshan Digital accounts.
The prime minister said the
country’s economy was being stabilised as it had passed through the most
difficult times with consistent strengthening of its reserves. He thanked the
governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for supporting
Pakistan by giving loans and providing oil on deferred payment. “If these
countries had not supported us, Pakistan would have defaulted, entailing severe
consequences,” he added.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, the
prime minister said, the fragile economies were devastated worldwide, adding
that in neighbouring India daily caseloads were increasing at an alarming
level. Pakistan was among a few countries which had navigated in the Covid-19
scenario with much difficulty, he said, adding that Pakistan’s exports were on
the rise and the economy had recovered.
The prime minister said the economic indicators of the country were showing improvement. “Construction industry is providing jobs and the low-cost housing imitative would provide housing facilities to low-income groups,” he added.
----------------------------------------------------
COURTESY DAWN NEWS
------------
Comments
Post a Comment