Saudi Arabia Calls for Extraordinary OIC Meeting on Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia, on Monday, called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Saudi Arabia is looking to convene an “OIC Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting to Discuss Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan,” said SPA, the Kingdom’s official news agency.

It warned that, as winter approaches, millions of Afghans will need help getting adequate food as well as medicine and housing.

The Kingdom warned that should Afghanistan face economic collapse in the wake of the Taliban taking power this summer, this would damage regional and international peace and stability.

Pakistan has offered to host the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the latest situation in Afghanistan.

In a video message, the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan fully endorses this initiative of Saudi Arabia, the current OIC summit chair.

He said Pakistan also offers to host this meeting in Islamabad on the 17th of next month.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said we are confident that the OIC member states will endorse this offer.

He said Afghanistan is currently facing a serious humanitarian situation as millions of Afghans including women and children are confronted with an uncertain future due to a shortage of food, medicine and other essential living supplies.

The Foreign Minister said the advent of winter has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.

He urged the OIC to step up to alleviate the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people, provide immediate and sustained support to them, and continue to remain engaged with them for the wellbeing and prosperity of Afghanistan.