ISTANBUL, Oct 23(ABC): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb urged the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) member states to “optimally utilise” opportunities offered by digital platforms and social media to help improve the image of Islam and Muslims.
“The media’s role in this regard, while critical, would only be meaningful if it is given a common sense of direction,” said Marriyum.
She was in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul to attend a two-day 12th Conference of the Information Ministers of the OIC which concluded on Saturday.
It also emphasised the importance of cooperation among OIC member states in “developing necessary mechanisms to fight disinformation and other related challenges of the post-truth era, and devising short, medium, and long-term strategic processes in the total fight against disinformation.”
Pakistan’s current role in OIC
Pakistan currently holds the chair of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), which Marriyum told Anadolu Agency, is a “singular honour and important responsibility” for the South Asian nation.
Several initiatives were taken under Islamabad’s leadership, she said, including the Plan of Action on the Kashmir dispute, the peace, and security architecture at the OIC, launching and strengthening of humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan, efforts for the appointment of a special envoy on Islamophobia and enhancing economic coordination amongst OIC member states in critical areas like trade, investment, and IT cooperation.
The initiatives are part of resolutions adopted at an Islamabad summit of OIC foreign ministers in March.
“Pakistan is committed to playing an active role in these important areas during and beyond our chairmanship of the CFM,” she said.
Fraternal relations with Türkiye
The minister said Pakistan and Türkiye “enjoy excellent fraternal relations” which have been “transformed into a strategic partnership.”
In recent years, Ankara and Islamabad have upgraded bilateral relations through what is called the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) – where annual meetings are held in either country.
“Both countries are making progress in deepening bilateral relations in diverse areas: political, defense, trade and economy, health, education, and agriculture and industry.