ISLAMABAD: A special session of the D-8 Commission co-chaired by Turkey (as current head) and Bangladesh (as incoming head) was held virtually, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Sunday.

The session was attended by D-8 commissioners, representatives and the D-8 secretary general.

The Director General, Economic Coordination and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Tariq Karim, participated in the meeting as Pakistan’s commissioner for the D-8.

In his remarks, D-8 secretary general Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari updated the member states on the activities and initiatives of the secretariat. He spoke about the steps taken by the secretariat and the D-8 health and social protection programme office (D-8 HSP) in order to provide support and strengthen cooperation among member states in response to the Covid-19 crisis. The secretary general also updated the member states on the status of various D-8 projects and initiatives.

The meeting discussed various issues related to preparations for the 10th D-8 summit to be held in Dhaka.

Pakistan briefs member states on steps taken to fight coronavirus

The D-8 commissioner for Bangladesh briefed the member states on the programme and events being planned for the next summit.

Tariq Karim appreciated the efforts to organise the special session of the D-8.

Highlighting the unprecedented global health and economic challenges posed by Covid-19, he said the “smart lockdown” policy and other measures taken by the Pakistan government had led to a significant improvement in the pandemic situation with notable reduction in new cases and the fatality rate.

He highlighted Prime Minister Imran Khan’s major initiatives to combat the pandemic, including the $8 billion relief package for vulnerable groups, Ehsaas emergency cash programme and “global initiative on debt relief” for developing countries. He expressed Pakistan’s readiness to enhance international cooperation to combat the pandemic.

Mr Karim also apprised the participants of the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in India-held Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the year-long inhuman military siege, communication blackout and egregious violations of human rights. He stated that despite widespread international condemnation, Indian occupation forces continued to brutalise and disenfranchise Kashmiris.

He stressed the importance of the world community and brotherly nations taking steps to alleviate sufferings of the Kashmiri people and promote the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination.

Pakistan is a founding member and key contributor to the D-8 activities. Other members include Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2020