Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Saturday called for convening the Ministerial Conference of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in view of the current situation. Speaking during a meeting with Saudi Minister for Information and Culture, Dr Abdul Aziz bin Mohieddin Al Khoja she said.
"In view of the current situation and the increasing role of media, there is a need to convene OIC Ministerial Conference." Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan conveyed greetings of the President and the Prime Minister to Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain and the entire leadership of Saudi Arabia. She thanked the Saudi government and the people for standing beside Pakistan in its difficult times.
She expressed grief over the assassination of Saudi official in Karachi and stressed that Pakistan will use all available resources to pursue the culprits to bring them to justice. During the meeting, both the sides discussed means of enhancing co-operation in the fields of information and culture, particularly in view of fast-changing global situation. They agreed to establish contacts between the Saudi and Pakistani media to counter anti-Islam propaganda and co-ordinate their efforts towards promoting the true image of Islam.
The proposal of the Minister for Information to establish a forum on the lines of foreign media and exchange of programmes for televising in the two countries with a view to promote each others' cultures, was well received. They agreed to sign a number of protocols dealing with media co-operation, exchange of media experts and viewing of each others' programmes in their countries. Dr Firdous Awan invited Dr Khoja to visit Pakistan at a convenient time, which was graciously accepted. Earlier the Pakistan Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan called on the Saudi Vice Minister of General Education, Girls Education, at her office and discussed with her matters of mutual interest.
The Saudi Vice Minister for Girls Education gave detailed presentation about the endeavours of Saudi government to promote women' education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Vice Minister said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has given specific attention towards the uplift and promotion of women' education. She said that Princes Norah University in Riyadh was the biggest women university in the world and shows the concern of the Saudi leadership for women' education.
Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan appreciated the role of the Norah University in promoting education. She said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia can benefit from each other in the field of education, particularly women' education. She further said the objective of her visit is to promote co-operation between the two countries in the fields of education, culture and information. She underlined the need for greater co-operation amongst the women of Muslim countries for preserving their Islamic entity and counter the onslaught against Islam.