NEW YORK: Pakistan’s caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Saturday held a meeting with OIC Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, on the sidelines of the session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In a statement via social media, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said that the two sides discussed issues facing the Muslim world, especially the rising incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran and Islamophobia.
FM @JalilJilani meets with OIC Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, on the sidelines of #UNGA78. They discussed issues facing the Muslim world, especially the rising incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran & Islamophobia. pic.twitter.com/3UGUBb99lk
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 23, 2023
Earlier, Jalil Abbas Jilani underlined that Pakistan viewed the Gulf Cooperation Council as a significant player in the region that could play a key role in further enhancing economic and political relations between Pakistan and Gulf nations. He met with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi on the sidelines of the session of the UNGA, Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a statement.
FM @JalilJilani met GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi at #UNGA78. They discussed progress in Pakistan-GCC FTA talks and expressed resolve to enhance cooperation for a comprehensive partnership. pic.twitter.com/CZUx37LDlT
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 23, 2023
Pakistan’s FM also briefed the Secretary-General of GCC on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and atrocities committed by Indian troops against innocent civilian populations during the meeting.
Both sides agreed to further enhance cooperation to forge a comprehensive partnership, with a renewed focus on the promotion of bilateral business and trade ties.
The Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the dialogue on the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement. The GCC Secretary-General expressed his agreement to cooperate to conclude the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement as soon as possible.
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Jalil Abbas Jilani highlighted that Islamabad desired to strengthen institutional linkages with GCC and its member nations, in line with the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and GCC. The Minister underscored that Pakistan would be ready to host a GCC Foreign Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad as suggested during the 1st meeting of the Political Dialogue held in March in the current year.
