Ankara, 19 Dec. 2021 (Media Reports)

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Sunday set up a humanitarian fund to be operated by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to help avert the humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan. The announcement of the fund was part of the measures the 57-member Islamic bloc agreed upon after the 17th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hosted by Pakistan as reported by Daily Express Tribune from Islamabad.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday issued a clear warning to the global community, stating that Afghanistan could potentially become the biggest “man-made crisis in the world” if it did not act now.

Pakistani Prime Minister expressed the views in his keynote address at the OIC Meeting held at the Parliament House in Islamabad.

Noting that the poliical isolation of Afghanistan is not beneficial for anyone, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister on Sunday urged the world community to support the country politically, diplomatically, and economically.

The Saudi FM announced one billion riyals worth of aid to Afghanistan, stating that the Afghan issue must be looked at on humanitarian grounds and that the people in the war-torn country, including women and children are suffering.

“The economic crisis in Afghanistan could get more serious, the people there are looking forward to our help,” he added.

President Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Dr Muhammad Al Jasser also arrived in Islamabad and spoke to the media, and stated that the meeting had great significance for Afghanistan as the people were facing famine, hunger and lawlessness after the withdrawal of the United States.

He said that a gathering of all Muslim countries at a single platform was a great sign for the Muslim Ummah to find out possible solutions for lasting peace in the war-torn country.

“We all, at the Summit, will work together to help Afghan people,” he remarked.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Foreign Minister of Afghansitan in his address at the session assured the entire world and specifically Islamic countries that the territory of Afghanistan will not be used against anyone and we shall work in tandem to combat the cultivation and trafficking of narcotics.”

“We, as a representative and responsible government of the Afghan people, consider human rights, women rights, and participation by all capable Afghans from various regions our duty. We have done much in this regard and will continue to take further steps.”

“Afghanistan, following many decades, finally has a government that is united and controls all territory,” Muttaqi stressed, adding that the current government “secured its geography and territorial integrity, established security, and does not pose a threat to any world country.”

He continued pointing out that the new ruling system “reserves the right to have formal relations with the world and be a responsible member of the wider international community.”

“Fortunately, Afghanistan now has a responsible, non-corrupt, and committed government that shall safeguard Afghans from difficulties moving forward. As the developments are nascent and we face unjust sanctions, our people are in dire need of your support,” he added.

Asking the world to restore diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, We welcome the return of diplomats from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to Kabul. He urged the OIC member states “that have deferred reopening their embassies in Kabul to reopen their missions, and we shall welcome them.”

Sultan bin Sa’ad Al Muraikhi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar and Head of Qatari delegation at OIC meeting stressed that the OIC countries and members of the international community bear a great responsibility towards Afghanistan, particularly ensuring the delivery of humanitarian and relief aid, especially with the onset of winter.

He said Qatar encourages all countries and international organisations to provide this assistance, and urges the international community to continue dealing with Afghanistan, as communication is the only way to move forward in building stability, eliminating terrorism, and respecting human rights.

Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister in his address stressed on solidarity with the Afghan people as “a moral obligation and a religious duty.”

“Nearly 23 million people, 60% of the population, are facing hunger in Afghanistan. The OIC should play a leading role in mobilizing international support for Afghanistan. The resolution that we will adopt today should be implemented,” he said.

Listing three steps to resolve the Afghan crisis, Cavusoglu said the first priority must be to “coordinate humanitarian assistance,” as he thanked Pakistan for facilitating the transfer of humanitarian aid.

He also expressed Turkey’s support to Uzbekistan’s effort to make the city of Termez “another UN hub for aid, especially to the northern regions” of Afghanistan.

“The establishment of a trust fund by the Islamic Development Bank is a step in the right direction,” he added.

Second priority emphasized by Turkish top diplomat to prevent Afghanistan from economic collapse, ongoing sanctions, “unfortunately, crippled the financial system, and pledges will be meaningless unless this money reaches the Afghans. We should work on solutions to unlock financial channels for resolving the liquidity and bank transfer problems.”

As a third step, Cavusoglus said that “engagement with the Taliban” would be necessary to achieve stability. Noting that the “worsening crisis” greatly impacted Muslim nations of Asia, Cavusoglu hailed the active engagement of Asian countries, such as Pakistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia, on the Afghanistan issue.

He suggested that a joint visit by OIC foreign ministers to the Afghan capital Kabul should be arranged to show solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, as well as to send “our messages directly, and take the lead as Islamic nations.”

In his concluding remarks, Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey’s “determination and support to achieve an independent Palestine” with Jerusalem as is its capital.

Cavusoglu later told reporters he had conveyed Ankara’s recommendations to the Taliban administration.

Daily ‘Dhaka Tribune’ reports Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary and head of Bangladesh delegation at the OIC meeting announced a humanitarian aid package in the form of food and medicinal assistance. He said that Bangladesh can be a partner in Afghanistan’s developmental process as it “seeks to enhance regional cooperation for the attainment of a vision of shared prosperity for the region.”