Iran calls for sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Iran called for sending humanitarian aid to Afghanistan regardless of political interests on the sideline of the Organisation of Islamic Organization (OIC) summit held in Islamabad on Sunday.

Assistant Foreign Minister and head of Iran’s delegation to OIC in Islamabad Rasoul Mousavi said the objective of the extraordinary session of the organisation is to arrange humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, reported Khaama Press.

He added there is a consensus among all the 57 member states of the organisation in this regard.

Speaking exclusively to the IRNA news agency, Mousavi said all the delegations are trying to find ways to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

“As the Taliban’s interim government has not been recognized by the international community yet, many of the OIC member states have been stressing upon the need to devise a mechanism for dispatching aid to Afghanistan,” said Mousavi.

The diplomat added they support all international efforts to send humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and that Iran’s borders are open for any relief activity, reported Khaama Press.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who chaired the session, made an inaugural address at the meeting.

Convened by Saudi Arabia as OIC chair and hosted by Pakistan, 70 delegates participated in the historic session.

More than 100 days have passed since the Taliban assumed control over Afghanistan but the group is yet to be recognised by any country.

Respect for women and human rights, establishing inclusive government, not allowing Afghanistan to become a safe haven of militancy are the preconditions for the recognition set by the international community.

Must Read