The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is a multinational organization that was established to promote cooperation among Muslim countries in the economic political social and cultural spheres. With 57 member states the OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations. Pakistan is one of the founding members of the OIC and its active participation in the organization has been critical to shaping the OICs agenda and decision-making process.
The OIC was established in 1969 in response to the growing concerns among Muslim countries about the challenges they faced including conflicts poverty underdevelopment and the spread of extremism. The organizations primary goal is to promote solidarity and cooperation among its member states to address these challenges and enhance the well-being of Muslim communities worldwide. To achieve this goal the OIC has focused on various areas including political and economic cooperation cultural exchange and humanitari
Firstly, OIC has been criticized for its inability to address the major issues facing the Muslim world. Despite being the second largest inter-governmental organization, it has not been able to prevent the marginalization and oppression of Muslims in various parts of the world. For instance, the OIC has not been successful in resolving the ongoing conflict in Palestine, which has been a major issue for the Muslim world. Similarly, the OIC has not been able to take concrete steps to address the issue of Islamophobia, which is on the rise in many parts of the world.
Secondly, OIC has been criticized for being ineffective due to the lack of unity among its member states. The OIC has been divided on various issues, with some member states having closer ties to the West, while others have closer ties to Russia or China. This has resulted in the inability of the OIC to adopt a unified stance on various issues affecting the Muslim world.
Thirdly, Pakistan’s role in the OIC has been criticized for being influenced by its own strategic interests rather than the interests of the Muslim ummah. Pakistan has used the OIC platform to seek support for its own geopolitical agenda rather than working towards the betterment of the Muslim world as a whole. For instance, Pakistan has used the OIC platform to seek support for its stance on the Kashmir issue, which has been criticized for being driven by Pakistan’s own strategic interests rather than the interests of the Kashmiri people.
Fourthly, OIC has been criticized for being ineffective in promoting economic cooperation among its member states. Despite having a combined GDP of more than $11 trillion, the intra-OIC trade is only around 17% of their total trade. This is significantly lower compared to other regional blocs like the European Union, where intra-regional trade accounts for around 60% of their total trade. The lack of economic cooperation among OIC member states has resulted in missed opportunities for economic growth and development in the Muslim world.
here are the critical points on the working role of OIC and Pakistan numbered:
- OIC’s inability to address major issues facing the Muslim world, such as the ongoing conflict in Palestine and the rise of Islamophobia in various parts of the world.
- OIC’s lack of unity among its member states, resulting in its inability to adopt a unified stance on various issues affecting the Muslim world.
- Pakistan’s use of the OIC platform to seek support for its own geopolitical agenda rather than working towards the betterment of the Muslim world as a whole.
- OIC’s ineffectiveness in promoting economic cooperation among its member states, resulting in missed opportunities for economic growth and development in the Muslim world.
- OIC’s lack of effective action to address human rights violations in member states, such as the persecution of Uighur Muslims in China and the human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
- OIC’s limited role in promoting education and scientific research in member states, which has resulted in a lack of progress in science and technology in the Muslim world.
- Pakistan’s tendency to prioritize its bilateral relations with certain member states over the collective interests of the OIC.
- OIC’s limited role in addressing the issue of extremism and terrorism in the Muslim world.
- The OIC’s limited role in promoting democratic values and good governance in member states.
- Pakistan’s lack of effective implementation of OIC resolutions and decisions, which has led to limited progress on issues affecting the Muslim world.
- The OIC’s limited role in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in member states.
- The OIC’s limited role in addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainable development in member states.
- Pakistan’s limited role in promoting interfaith harmony and countering religious extremism in the Muslim world.
- The OIC’s limited role in promoting cultural exchange and preserving the cultural heritage of member states.
- The OIC’s limited role in promoting sports and promoting healthy lifestyles among member states.
- The OIC’s limited role in promoting cultural diversity and tolerance among member states.
- Pakistan’s limited role in promoting social justice and reducing inequality in the Muslim world.
- The OIC’s limited role in addressing the refugee crisis affecting many Muslim-majority countries.
- Pakistan’s limited role in promoting human development and improving the quality of life of its citizens.
- The OIC’s limited role in promoting regional cooperation and integration among its member states.
- Pakistan’s limited role in promoting peace and stability in its neighboring countries, such as Afghanistan.
- The OIC’s limited role in promoting interfaith dialogue and promoting peaceful coexistence among different religious communities.
- Pakistan’s limited role in promoting regional connectivity and infrastructure development in the Muslim world.
- The OIC’s limited role in addressing the challenges faced by Muslim minorities in non-Muslim majority countries.
- Pakistan’s limited role in promoting sustainable agriculture and food security in the Muslim world.
Pakistans active engagement with the OIC has been critical to shaping the organizations agenda and priorities. Pakistan was one of the founding members of the OIC and since its inception the country has played an essential role in the organizations decision-making process. Pakistans contributions to the OIC include hosting several OIC summits providing financial and technical assistance to member states and participating in peacekeeping missions in conflict-ridden Muslim countries.
Moreover Pakistan has actively worked to promote unity and cooperation among Muslim countries through the OIC. The country has emphasized the need for Muslim countries to address common challenges collectively and has proposed initiatives to promote economic integration and enhance cooperation in the fields of science and technology education and culture. Pakistan has also played a key role in advocating for the resolution of conflicts among Muslim countries through peaceful means and has supported efforts to combat terrorism and extremism in the Muslim world.
the OIC has faced several limitations in promoting unity and cooperation among Muslim countries. One of the primary challenges has been the diversity among member states which makes it difficult to develop a common agenda and strategy. Moreover the OICs decision-making process is often slow and cumbersome which hinders its effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by Muslim countries. Furthermore the organization has been criticized for its inability to influence the global agenda and for its limited resources to implement its programs and initiatives.
In conclusion a critical study of the working of the OIC and Pakistans role in the organization is essential to understanding the dynamics of Muslim countries diplomacy and their engagement with the international community. While the OIC has made significant contributions to promoting solidarity and cooperation among Muslim countries it has also faced several limitations that need to be addressed to enhance its effectiveness. Pakistans active participation in the OIC has been crucial to shaping the organizations agenda and its continued engagement can contribute to addressing the challenges faced by the Muslim world and promoting global peace and prosperity.