OIC meeting: Sartaj highlights human right violations in India-held Kashmir

According to Foreign Office statement, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, led Pakistani delegation to the meeting, which was chaired by the OIC Secretary General’s Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Alim.

Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Turkey and Senior Representatives of Saudi Arabia and Niger attended the meeting. Turkish Foreign Minister specially attended the Contact Group meeting despite his engagement with the Council of Foreign Ministers as the Chair.

Sartaj Aziz reiterated Pakistan’s continued diplomatic, moral and political support to the people of India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for realization of their right to self-determination in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

He highlighted the human rights violations in IOK and appreciated the steadfast support of the OIC and the Contact Group member states to the people of IOK.

Secretary general’s special representative reiterated the principled position of OIC of continued support to the Kashmiri people in their legitimate struggle for the right to self-determination and underscored that the Contact Group had been constantly conveying the OIC’s concerns to the international community regarding the flagrant human rights violations and abuse of the basic rights of the Kashmiris.

He regretted some attempts to equate the Kashmiri struggle with terrorism, and emphasized that the Kashmiris were solely striving to achieve their inalienable right in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.

The foreign ministers and senior representatives attending the meeting made the following points:

• Highlighted the unresolved nature of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and underscored its implications for regional peace and security.
• Kashmir dispute must be resolved in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of Kashmiri people.
• Recommended that the OIC should keep close contact with relevant international organizations to sensitize the international community on Kashmir dispute and the human rights violations in IOK.
• Urged dialogue to the resolve the issue, for lasting peace in the region.