ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: Former interior minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has urged the Muslim countries to initiate diplomatic efforts to resolve the Afghan crisis.

In a statement here on Sunday, the PML leader proposed that a select group of the OIC member countries, including Iran, be set up under the leadership of Saudi Arabia to devise ways and means for a political solution to the Afghanistan’s problem.

He said the leadership of Saudi Arabia, being guardian of holy places, would be acceptable to the Afghan nation, the people of Pakistan and the international community. He said the top priority in the prevailing situation was that suffering and agony of millions of Afghan people should come to an end and peace should be established there.

Ch Shujaat urged the Pakistan government to play its due role in promoting political initiative in the larger interest of Pakistan and the Muslim world.

The former minister apprehended if the present situation continued for long, it might develop into a war of civilizations causing death and destruction all over the world. He said the entire world had expressed sympathy with the United States over deaths in New York and Washington, but by taking action against Afghanistan, the US should not make it an issue of ego and seek a political solution.