A one-day conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Pakistan has warned that the entire region will suffer in the event of the collapse of the Afghan economy. The purpose of organizing the conference was to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis that is unprofitable in Afghanistan or internationally and can only be avoided through concerted efforts. The United Nations estimates that 22.8 million people, more than half of Afghanistan, suffer from high levels of food shortages caused by years of war, severe drought, and high levels of poverty. The World Health Organization and UN agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis facing Afghanistan and its 38 million people. Hospitals are in dire need of medicine, with up to 95% of all households facing food shortages, poverty rates rising to 90%, and Afghani, the national budget falling for free. Leaving Afghanistan at this stage would be a historic mistake. The instability could lead to renewed tensions, which could also lead to the migration of refugees to neighboring countries and to the West as well.
The OIC-led summit has been the largest international summit in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country in mid-August following the withdrawal of US-led foreign troops 20 years later. Delegates from 57 Islamic nations and observant delegates participated in the session. The summit was attended by 20 foreign ministers, 10 deputy foreign ministers, and 70 delegates and special envoys to Afghanistan's major powers, including China, the US, and Russia. US Special Representative to Afghanistan Tom West, present meeting, expressed his intention to work with humanitarian organizations in the country and to find ways to provide assistance. The summit also included the UN Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and the president of the Islamic Development Bank. Acting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was also present.
However, the international community has not yet seen the Taliban government. The US and Europe imposed severe economic sanctions on the Taliban and blocked access to billions of dollars in Afghan goods and development aid. These sanctions raised the possibility of an economic collapse and made the humanitarian crisis worse. Lack of national recognition by the Taliban government in Kabul undermines the urgent need for emergency aid to Afghanistan. Pakistan has already sent humanitarian aid, including food and medicine to Afghanistan, and has promised to send 50,000 tons of wheat. Islamabad has allowed an Indian rival to send 50,000 tons of wheat to help people in neighboring Afghanistan through the territory of Pakistan. Speakers also called for the immediate opening of the national banking system in partnership with the United Nations and international banking institutions, to assist Afghanistan.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan directed his remarks to the US, urging Washington to reduce the conditions for it to withdraw much-needed money and restart Afghan banks. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the world needs to separate the Taliban from 40 million Afghan civilians. He also urged caution in linking the recognition of the new government with Western human rights ideas. IK also warned that without hasty help, there could be dire consequences, not only on Afghan lives losing hunger and disease, but it would certainly result in the migration of many Afghan people. Conflict will spread, he predicted, and allow terrorism and drug trafficking to flourish. Afghanistan's acting foreign minister said the Taliban government had restored peace and security and had done much to address the needs of an inclusive government with respect for human rights, including women's rights.
An OIC decision issued after the meeting said the Islamic Development Bank would lead an effort to release aid in the first quarter of next year. It also called on Afghan authorities to abide by obligations under international human rights treaties, particularly in regard to the rights of women, children, youth, the elderly, and persons with special needs. The OIC also decided to arrange for a team of international Islamic scholars to engage with the Taliban on issues such as, but not limited to, tolerance and equality in Islam, equal access to education, and women's rights in Islam. The 31-point OIC decision was too short to specify and did not provide any financial assistance. There are many who want to give but do not want to give directly, they want a certain way they are free. The plan has been drafted, and promises will be made now. Clearly, they are aware of the importance of time.
Although the summit was based on a one-point plan to support the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, organizing the 17th extraordinary conference in Islamabad is Pakistan's victory over foreign policy. It is Pakistan's moral and political victory over an international nation. Pakistan's foreign policy has been shaped by foreign influences, especially the situation at its eastern and western borders. The long-running Russian-Afghan war and the dissolution of the USSR had a lasting impact on Pakistan's internal and external security situation. By the time Russia's war against Afghanistan ended, leading to the dissolution of the USSR, security forces had changed in Pakistan. Four million Afghan refugees and Kalashnikov and drug culture became the rewards of Pakistan instead of the extended support of Pakistan in the US-Russian war. The great success of this extraordinary conference is Pakistan's attempt to introduce to the world that 40 million Afghans are facing a crisis caused by people who are not extensions to the Taliban. They are ordinary citizens of Afghanistan and victims of the long-running US war that began two decades ago. The Afghan people must be kindly helped and the Taliban government must participate politically to get Afghanistan out of this crisis.
The hosting of OIC member states to meet the same humanitarian agenda in Afghanistan is also a success in Pakistan. It may not be a political conference, yet it means everything. The message was so great and clear in the US and in the international community that US policies to punish nations voluntarily are no longer acceptable. The summit also highlighted the importance of the region and the global priorities of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also reflects Pakistan's desire for the world to come forward and share the burden of the Afghan crisis. The conference proves that the US will not be allowed to play with the lives of millions of Afghans. Global news requires equal attention from superpowers and institutions around the world. The OIC Summit is a positive step towards resolving the issue of regional security and moving forward to help millions of Afghan people facing severe food, medicine, water shortages, and severe weather. The summit also unveiled Pakistan's open foreign policy options in the region.
It will be important to see if the OIC, the second largest group after the United Nations, can come up with a viable solution to help Afghanistan in its crisis. All must agree that Afghanistan's political divisions are unprofitable, so it is important that they all support existing stability and support it both politically and economically.
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