Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer

Presently eyes of most of the Muslim World are focused on Istanbul, where the summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (Developing-8), is underway, involving the most populous and industrially advanced Muslim states – the Islamic Republic of Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria and Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.
On paper, the line-up seems formidable, but unfortunately, despite the slogans and the goals and objectives of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation that were drafted over twenty years ago for upgrading the position of member states in the global economy, through increased trade relations and participation in decision-making at international level, nothing concrete has been done so far.
The reasons are obvious. Member countries not just lack the political will despite their rich and varied natural resources as well as skilled manpower, but unlike other economic blocs, they do not give preference to their own currencies in commercial exchanges by unnecessarily depending on the dollar and the Euro.
Of course, an important headway was made a couple of days ago in Ankara when during talks between Iran’s First Vice President, Ishaq Jahangiri and Summit Host, Turkey’ President Rajab Tayyeb Erdoghan, an agreement was concluded for the first time to discard the American and European currencies, by dealing in their respective Riyals and Liras for trade exchanges.
This was an important step and would surely remove many barriers, including conversion and reconversion in dollar or euro. It is expected to help Tehran and Ankara triple the volume of their bilateral trade to as high as $30 billion from current $10 billion.   
Hopefully, other member states would adopt such measures that would result in substantial trade increase and the tapping of hitherto untapped avenues of economic cooperation.
Another important point for member states is to assert independence in the political sphere, without bowing to pressures from the big powers and their clients amongst the Muslim countries, who are loath to see the progress and power of the Muslim World.
For the past 38 years, following the overthrow of the British-installed and US-backed Pahlavi regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran, has followed an independent political course with focus on the Ummah’s solidarity in all fields, including trade and economy.
This has indeed paid dividends and helped Iran firmly stand on its feet in all fields, despite the intensive economic and trade sanctions to which Iran has been subjected over the past four decades by western powers, especially the US.
If neighbouring and other Muslims states, particularly D-8 members had cooperated with Iran without bowing to the pressures of the exploitative powers, the story would have been entirely different today for the whole Muslim World.
Still it is not late. It seems, Turkey is realizing the benefits of independent trade and political decision-making, as could be seen by its closing of views with Iran.
Pakistan can also do so, and in view of the long borders shared with Iran, it should show the courage to go ahead with implementation of the dormant gas pipeline for the benefit of its own people, their economic betterment and the improved life-standards.
Where there is a will, there is a way. As Iran has shown, and as Turkey seems to have realized, Pakistan ought to understand that the US cannot do a damn thing, and neither could Washington’s agent-saboteur Saudi Arabia.
The same could be said for Nigeria, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia and Egypt, and the sooner all D-8 member states comprehend realities, the better for not just the organization but the whole Muslim World.