Latest news with #OICCFM
Arab News
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan signs statute to strengthen labor, social protection collaboration among OIC members
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar recently announced Islamabad had signed the Statute of the Labour Center of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen collaboration among member states on labor, social protection and human development capital. The OIC Labour Center is a strategic institution aimed at enhancing labor conditions, promoting employment opportunities and fostering social protection systems across member states. It emphasizes the crucial need to ensure decent work, sustainable social protection and poverty reduction within OIC member states, in alignment with the objectives of the organization's charter. In a post on social media platform X on Sunday, Dar announced he had signed the statute at the OIC's 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul from June 21-22. 'This statute is an important step toward strengthening collaboration among OIC Member States on labor, employment, social protection, and human capital development,' the deputy prime minister wrote. Pleased to sign the Statute of the Labour Center of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the sidelines of the 51st OIC CFM in Istanbul. This Statute is an important step toward strengthening collaboration among OIC Member States on labor, employment, social… — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 22, 2025 A significant number of Pakistanis seek employment opportunities abroad for a better standard of living as the country grapples with macroeconomic challenges. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf countries are key destinations for Pakistan's skilled and unskilled workers, whose remittances are vital for the cash-strapped country. Pakistan's state media reported in April that the country sent 151,120 skilled laborers to Gulf countries in the first three months of 2025. Senior Pakistani officials have repeatedly spoken of the need to bridge the skills gap and enhance global competitiveness of Pakistani workers, particularly in the Middle Eastern job market. Pakistan sends approximately one million skilled workers abroad each year to help reduce unemployment and boost foreign exchange reserves through remittances.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Field Marshal Asim in Turkiye amid war
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir meet Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on the sidelines of the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. Photo: Radio Pakistan After a nearly weeklong visit to the United States, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday arrived in Istanbul in what seems part of Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to seek an end to the ongoing Iran-Israel war. His meeting at the White House with US President Donald Trump discussed the Middle East crisis in detail and the army chief reportedly communicated Pakistan's concerns about the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The army chief, in line with Pakistan's stated position, pushed for a diplomatic solution to the conflict that has the potential to engulf the entire region. After over two-hour long meeting with the Pakistani army chief, President Trump said Pakistan knew better about Iran than most others. He also said Pakistan was not happy about "anything." Though, the US President did not elaborate, Pakistan's unhappiness stems from the fact that the Iran-Israel war has huge repercussions for the country. It is believed that Trump listened to the Pakistani military leader's opinion on the Iran-Israel war carefully and some even linked the US President's decision to delay his decision on joining Israel against Iran for two weeks to his meeting with Field Marshal Munir. The army chief's arrival in Istanbul lends credence to reports that Pakistan might be playing some role to defuse the crisis. Interestingly, the Iranian foreign minister is also in Istanbul as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Israel-Iran war. There is no clarity whether the army chief will have any meeting scheduled with the Iranian foreign minister. But observers believe that such a meeting is not ruled out given Pakistan's desire to seek an end to the conflict. Pakistan has emerged as one of the key players as it enjoys close ties with Iran while developing a close bonhomie with President Trump. Experts say Pakistan is uniquely positioned to play a role of a mediator between the US and Iran. However, others say that the US has a direct channel of communications with Iran through President Trump's special envoy on the Middle East. Pakistan, nevertheless, may be part of the multiple diplomatic channels seeking a political solution to the crisis. Meanwhile, a statement issued here by the foreign office said Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, called on the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul during his visit to attend the 51st session of OIC CFM. He was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. During the meeting, the DPM/FM, conveyed warm greetings of Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, to President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, and underscored the profound importance that Pakistan accords to its enduring bilateral relations with Türkiye. Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and diversify the longstanding brotherly cooperation between the two countries. The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks in blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law; reiterated support for Iran's sovereignty, territorial integrity and its right to self-defense under the UN Charter; agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation; and urged the international community to play its part in restoring peace and stability in the region. Both sides emphasised the urgency of galvanizing efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza. The DPM/FM congratulated President Erdogan on the Award conferred by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum in recognition of his leadership as well as successful holding of the OIC CFM session.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Dar calls on Erdogan
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul Saturday, during his visit to attend the 51st session of OIC CFM. He was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. During the meeting, the DPM/FM, conveyed the warm greetings of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to President Erdogan and underscored the profound importance that Pakistan accords to its enduring bilateral relations with Türkiye. PM Shehbaz, President Erdogan demand immediate ceasefire in Gaza Both the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and diversify the longstanding brotherly cooperation between the two countries. The leaders expressed strong condemnation of the continued Israeli attacks in blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law; reiterated support for Iran's sovereignty, territorial integrity and its right to self-defence under the UN Charter; agreed to continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation; and urged the international community to play its part in restoring peace and stability in the region. Both sides emphasised the urgency of galvanising efforts to bring an immediate halt to the Israeli aggression in Gaza and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the besieged people of Gaza. The DPM/ FM congratulated President Erdogan on the Award conferred by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum in recognition of his leadership as well as successful holding of the OIC CFM session. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
