OIC takes up Jerusalem in Istanbul tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will chalk out its strategy regarding decision of the United States administration of shifting its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem tomorrow (Wednesday) in its extraordinary huddle in Istanbul amid sharp differences among the members of the organisation.

It is unlikely Egyptian military ruler General Abdel Fatteh el-Sisi and some other important leaders of the Muslim countries will turn up in 57-member summit.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is also current Chairman of the OIC, has summoned the extraordinary meeting of the organisation. Pakistan that was among the first Muslim countries who expressed serious reservations about the US decision was also consulted by the Turkey’s leader for convening the summit on the subject.

The diplomatic sources told The News here on Monday evening that senior officials of the member countries would have their meeting before the gathering of Council of Foreign Ministers on Wednesday morning. The resolution would be choreographed in the senior officials meeting and the foreign ministers would wet it.

The whole engagement of the heads of the delegation would continue for three hours under host President Erdogan who will arrange lunch in honour of fellow leaders attending the summit.

The sources said that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would lead Pakistan’s delegation in the summit and he would be accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and senior officials.

Most of the guests will leave Istanbul same evening but it is likely that Pakistan’s delegation will have overnight stay in that city. Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will have meetings with the Turkish leaders on the margins of the summit during their stay in the city.

Prime Minister Abbasi will have informal meetings with Qatar’s Amir, Saudi Crown Prince and President Mehmoud Abbas of Palestine during the engagements on Wednesday, the sources hinted.

It has been officially stated here on Monday that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi would participate in the summit on Al-Quds Al-Sharif. The summit will be preceded by the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting which will be attended by Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif. The extraordinary summit has been called by the President of Turkey in his capacity as the chair of the OIC summit.

Most OIC member states are expected to attend. The summit will discuss the recent decision by the US Administration to shift the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The OIC leaders will also explore ways to deal with the situation.

Prime Minister Abbasi will convey the sentiments of the people and 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.