INTERVIEW: Mohatir lauds Pakistan's Role for unity of Ummah
Pakistan Times Special Report

KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysia): The former Prime Minster of Malaysia Tun Dr Mohatir Mohamad has lauded Pakistan's role for ensuring unity among Ummah and its' zestful contribution towards the launching of Vision 1440H, which is ought to take the Muslim world towards affluence, free from poverty and hunger.

In an exclusive interview with Editor 'PakistanTimes.net' Mr. Mumtaz Hamid Rao, Dr Mohatir who headed the IDB commission which has set off the concept, as its Chairman said that the contributions by Pakistan have been splendid. 'Not only that Pakistan wants to see the Muslim world free from all types of troubles, like Malaysia, it (Pakistan) is simultaneously eager to see the member countries of the OIC with identical perceptions and on one platform', he said.

Thus there is a complete identity of views between Pakistan and Malaysia on this subject with many others as good friends, he said.

To a question, Dr Mohatir said that after the launch of the vision 1440H, the next step shall be a meeting of the Board of Governors of IDB in Jeddah on May-29 whereafter the implementation of the concept shall be set in motion to accomplish its goals.

He said; the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) should be vigilant against the emergence of new pandemics such as avian flu which have the potential to wipe out millions, Muslims as well as non-Muslims, across the globe.

The commission set up to draw up the IDB 1440H Vision said the bank's initiatives with other partners in this sphere could include financing programmes that help raise awareness as well as provide health education in needy high-risk communities.

"IDB can also support the preparation of national preventive and contingency plans in selected countries and work with its 56-member countries to conduct research and development in medication for identified diseases," Dr Mohatir Mohamed said.

He said IDB should join forces with other organisations campaigning for the lifting of patent restrictions that prevented the manufacture of cheaper drugs and vaccines that could help avert health catastrophes.

The report was launched today by Prima Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and one of its key thrusts of is promoting health.

The commission said besides child mortality, maternal health, diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, and environmental sustainability which included access to safe drinking water and sanitation were among the most severe issues that needed to be addressed by the Muslim world.

"As in the case of poverty, the highest priority and added resources need to be channelled to containment of disease. Both poverty and disease strike at the deepest core of human well-being and security," it said.

The commission said the IDB's programmes could reinforce others instituted to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and they could help make the difference between success and failure for many of the member countries in meeting the global targets for health.

"The least developed member countries again require the greatest attention, but so do large Muslim communities in countries such as India," it said.

The commission recommended that IDB worked with member governments, non-government bodies and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation to achieve the following targets by 1440H:

1. Reduce by three-quarters the under-five death rate (the MDG target by comparison is a reduction of two-thirds by 1436H or 2015);

2. Reduce by 90 per cent the maternal mortality rate (the MDG target is 75 per cent);

3. Check and reverse on a sustainable basis the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases (the MDG shares the same target); and

4. Reduce by two-thirds the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation (the MDG target is reduction by half).●