Istanbul (Staff Report): Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif reached Istanbul on Tuesday to attend the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Al-Quds Al-Sharif.
The PM and CM Punjab were accompanied by Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and other high ranking officials.
The PM delegation reached Istanbul on the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in order to attend OIC summit to discuss issue of declaring Jerusalem as capital of Israel by US President Donald Trump.
Senior officials of Turkish government, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey Syrus Sajjad Qazi and senior embassy officials received the delegation upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport.
The extraordinary summit being held today (Wednesday), has been called by the President of Turkey in his capacity as the Chair of OIC. Heads of state and government of about 26 Islamic countries were expected to attend the extraordinary summit and would also explore ways to deal with the situation.
The conference will be preceded by the Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting which will be attended by Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
PM Abbasi will convey the sentiments of the people and the Government of Pakistan of the unequivocal support to the people of Palestine.
Further he will stress upon the OIC for a united stance on the issue of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and call upon the US administration to review its decision.
The people and Government of Pakistan have noted with grave concern the reported move by the United States to shift its embassy to the occupied City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, thereby altering the legal and historical status of the city.
