Pakistan, Turkey discuss plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar at OIC summit

Astana: Pakistan president Mamnoon Hussain and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday discussed the issue of Rohingya Muslims being persecuted in Myanmar. The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit on science and technology in Astana, Kazakhastan. [caption id=“attachment_1183567” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Pakistan president Mamnoon Hussain.[/caption] Both leaders discussed bilateral relations and pledged to further solidify the long-term relationship, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said. Besides, they also spoke about regional issues including that of Afghanistan. Lauding Islamabad’s role in eliminating terror and restoration of peace in the region, Erdogan pledged his country’s support to Pakistan’s efforts for a peaceful resolution to the Afghan conflict, Zakaria said. Separately, while addressing the OIC summit, President Hussain said Muslim countries around the globe should make collective efforts for the development of science and technology to meet the challenges of the new era. Highlighting rapid changes occurring in the fields of science and technology, Hussain emphasised the need for enhanced focus of the Muslim world to improve the agricultural production and develop agricultural technology sector. “With solid foundations of education and skilled healthy manpower, it will be possible to focus on higher education and research in emerging areas of science and technology,” the president said. “Unity among the Muslim Ummah is very imperative for development, prosperity and a safe future for the new generation.” The president regretted that Muslim countries had failed to pay attention to education for the last several centuries, adding it was crucial for the Muslim nations to be self-sufficient in political and socio-economic sector “to revive the golden era of education”.