Afghanistan to take spotlight at Organization of Islamic Cooperation meet in Pakistan

Afghanistan’s ongoing unrest took the centre stage at this year’s meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which was hosted in Pakistan. Delegations from 57 Islamic countries are meeting on Sunday to discuss the issue.

Even though no countries have officially recognised the Taliban so far, after it took power in August this year as United States troops returned home after nearly two decades, the foreign minister of the group — Amir Khan Muttaqi– is among the delegates, according to reports from AFP.

Representatives from Russia, China, the United States, European Union and United Nations were also present at the diplomatic meet on Sunday.

Earlier this week, Pakistan attempted to rally Muslim countries to help Afghanistan stave off an economic and humanitarian disaster while also cajoling the neighboring country’s new Taliban rulers to soften their image abroad.

Days after the United States and allied forces left Kabul this year, the international community seemed to hop onto the move of terminating or limiting economic and humanitarian aid to the country, which has a population of nearly 38 million people. The lack of help has sent Afghanistan on a downward trajectory, according to reports from AFP.

The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan’s economic and humanitarian situation is at the brink of collapse with fuel, food and cash being limited. Hospitals are desperately short of medicines, up to 95% of all households face food shortages, the poverty level is soaring toward 90% and the Afghani, the national currency, is in free fall.

Pakistan has been at the forefront in pressing for world engagement in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Friday he has warned in talks with many foreign ministers — including with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington — that a total collapse in Afghanistan will hurt efforts to fight terrorism and trigger a massive exodus from the country.

(With AP inputs)