PM arrives in Istanbul to attend OIC Summit on Jerusalem

ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has arrived in Turkey to participate in the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Jerusalem.

Upon his arrival at Istanbul International Airport, the Prime Minister and his delegation were received by senior officials of Turkish government, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey Syrus Sajjad Qazi along with other senior embassy officials.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and other officials accompanied the Prime Minister, who was invited by the President of Turkey .

The extraordinary OIC Summit has been called by the President of Turkey in his capacity as the Chair of OIC, would be held on Wednesday (today).

Heads of 57 Islamic countries are expected to attend the summit to explore ways to deal with the situation prevailing since Trump’s controversial declaration to recognize the Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel.

It is learnt that the conference will be preceded by the Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting which will be attended by Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

Prime Minister Abbasi will convey the sentiments of the people and the Government of Pakistan of the unequivocal support to the people of Palestine.

He will stress upon the OIC for a united stance on the issue of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and call upon the US administration to review its decision.

It is to mention here that Pakistan has called upon the United States to refrain from any move that altered the legal and historical status as well as character of Al-Quds, urging US to fully comply with all applicable UN Security Council resolutions including UNSCR 478.