Pakistan will not attend OIC meeting in Abu Dhabi: Qureshi
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday announced that Pakistan will not attend a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being hosted by the United Arab Emirates on March 1-2.
This was stated by Shah Mehmood Qureshi while addressing to the joint parliament session of the Parliament under Speaker Asad Qaiser continued for a second day today on Indian aggression against Pakistan.
FM Qureshi pointed out that India is not member of the OIC, adding that the OIC has invited India without any consultation with Pakistan. “India is neither a member nor an observer of the OIC,” he mentioned.
The minister clarified that he sent two letters, the latest only yesterday, to the UAE calling upon the body to withdraw its invitation to the Indian foreign minister. He informed the Parliament that he requested the OIC to either rescind the invitation or postpone the session in view of the prevailing situation, neither of which was done.
“I have decided not to attend OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Abu Dhabi,” Qureshi confirmed. He reiterated that Pakistan will not attend the session in the wake of protest against the OIC’s decision to invite Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to attend the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Abu Dhabi.
Terming the UAE has always helped Pakistan in difficult times, the foreign minister noted with regret that despite Pakistan’s protest, the OIC's invitation to Swaraj was not rescinded.
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to change constitution of India. He [Modi] is exploiting killing of Indian soldiers for upcoming elections. Several Indian political parties are well aware of Modi’s policy,” he termed.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi strongly condemned the war hysteria created by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said Modi is so desperate that he can do anything to get re-elected. He said the opposition parties in India are themselves are criticizing the Modi for using Military and the killings of its personnel for political purpose.
Qureshi said that Turkey which is also an important member of OIC also termed the invitation to Indian External Affairs Minister as unacceptable and said that they will play their role in this regard.
The minister also welcomed the remarks made by the US President Donald Trump that his country will play its role to defuse the tension between Pakistan and India.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced to release Indian pilot as a peace gesture yesterday and he will be handed over the Indian authority at Wagha Border later, today.