Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Asif Yasin Malik (Defense Analyst): It is a turning point in the foreign policy of Pakistan that it is going to conduct a mega event of OIC foreign ministers in Islamabad. It is a fact that OIC is unable to play a prominent role as far as Kashmir and Palestine issues are concerned. Yet we have pinned hopes with the upcoming OIC meeting on Afghan issue. There is a need to take concrete measures by Islamic countries to support the brethren of another Islamic country. The international organizations have time and again warned that if the world does not support Afghan people at this point of time, then 97% of the Afghan population will be forced to live their lives below poverty line. It is the moral responsibility of the United States and its allies to support the Afghan government and its people.  

Dr. Amna Mehmood (IR Expert): It is a good development that moot of OIC foreign ministers is going to be held in Islamabad to discuss the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. This event will exhibit unity of Muslim Ummah. We should not expect a positive outcome of the OIC meeting until and unless concrete decisions are taken by the member countries. It is a collective initiative of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan reflecting strong brotherly ties between the two Muslim countries. This is the right time that Muslim world stands united and puts behind their personal interests over welfare of Ummah. It is unfortunate that great powers are playing power politics and are not showing interest in humanitarianism. China likewise Pakistan is providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to minimize the sufferings of Afghan people in this critical juncture.

Abdullah Gul (Defense Analyst): The creation of Bangladesh was one of the most sensitive and tragic chapters in the history of Pakistan. It is a colossal irony and tragedy that Pakistan got dismembered in Dhaka where mother party of the Muslim freedom movement i.e. All-India Muslim League was born.  Before the declaration of formal war, Indian Army along with Mukti Bahini started attacking main check posts of Pakistan Army and Indian Air force stepped in their airstrike activity and bombed Dhaka airfield. There were a number of factors which led to the fall of Dhaka but Indian invasion and interference was the main cause. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a public gathering admitted that the establishment of Bangladesh was a desire of every Indian and that’s why Indian forces fought along with the Mukti Bahini to create a new country. The world needs to take notice of this confession.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Naeem Khalid Lodhi (Defense Analyst): The fall of Dhaka occurred in 1971 but the differences between the East and West Pakistan had started to emerge at the time of inception of the country. On 16th December every year, we remember the tragic incident of Fall of Dhaka. However, we can never negate the fact that the 1971 incident was the result of our own shortcomings, both at the military and political fronts, as well as external conspiracies. The number of soldiers made prisoners by India was not more than 34,000. We need to analyze this incident, draw conclusions and learn lessons to avoid such pitfalls in future.