By IINA
Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday emphasized the need to adopt a holistic approach to meet the internal and external challenges confronting the Muslim Ummah. He said that concerted efforts are required to mobilize all available resources resting with the Islamic countries for the promotion of science and technology which is essential for their development and progress. The Prime Minister made the remarks during his meeting with the visiting Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, at the PM Secretariat. The OIC Secretary General congratulated Syed Gilani on assuming the office and expressed confidence that under his leadership Pakistan would attain progress and prosperity.
Syed Gilani said that OIC has to re-establish its role as an effective and proactive body of the Islamic World, APP reported. He appreciated the new Charter of OIC and expressed confidence that this would go a long way in improving the overall functioning of the Organization and gear it to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Syed Gilani said that the people of Pakistan have given a clear mandate in favor of the democratic forces which would come up to the expectation of the people and make Pakistan a true democratic, progressive and Islamic country.
While referring to the issue of Kashmir, the prime minister said that Pakistan appreciated OIC’s efforts in highlighting the just cause of the Kashmiri people and said the Kashmir issue is relevant for the whole Islamic Ummah which needs to play its due role in helping the Kashmiris in their cause. He noted that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and believes in promoting inter-faith harmony. Condemning efforts by some elements to malign Islam and the Prophet (peace be upon him), he said that freedom of expression must not be at the cost of insulting the faith of others.
Prof. Ihsanoglu told the prime minister that the Kashmir issue remains at the top of the OIC agenda and the organization is deeply committed towards resolving this dispute. He also apprised Syed Gilani of the salient features of the new Charter of OIC and expressed confidence that it would enable the organization to play its due role effectively. Prof. Ihsanoglu paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Dr. Allama Iqbal for their great services for Pakistan as well as their visionary role for the Muslim Ummah.