PM Imran in Saudi Arabia to attend OIC summit

Published May 30, 2019
Prime Minister Imran Khan arrives in Madina on Thursday. — Photo courtesy PTI Twitter account
Prime Minister Imran Khan arrives in Madina on Thursday. — Photo courtesy PTI Twitter account

Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Madina on Thursday on an official trip to Saudi Arabia where he will represent Pakistan at the two-day summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The summit titled "Makkah Summit: Together for the Future" is scheduled to begin today, and will be chaired by Saudi King Salman. The purpose of the summit is to develop a unified stance on events underway in the Muslim world.

The premier, after arriving in the Kingdom on Thursday, visited the Holy Prophet's (PBUH) resting place and offered prayers in Masjid-i-Nabvi.

He then went to Jeddah where he was received by Governor Makkah Region Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport upon arrival.

Afterwards, the prime minister accompanied by his wife Bushra Bibi and a delegation — comprising chief ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Political Affairs Naeemul Haque, Minister of Communications Murad Saeed and other officials — visited Makkah where they performed Umrah.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to attend the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC. The meeting is said to set the tone for the summit.

During the foreign ministers' meeting, Qureshi directed the participants' attention towards the human rights violations that are being carried out in Indian-occupied Kashmir and Palestine. He urged member states to support the constitution of a commission under the United Nations to investigate the atrocities being committed in held Kashmir.

He also called for measures to ensure the safety of Palestinians who he said were being persecuted by Israeli forces.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...