The ministerial level meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly here. Professor Dr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General OIC, who chaired the meeting on Wednesday reiterated in his opening statement the OIC's firm commitment to the Kashmir cause.
Expressing concern at the deteriorating situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir, the Secretary General briefed the meeting on the findings of the recent OIC Mission to Azad Kashmir. The Mission was led by Ambassador Ezzat Kamel Mufti, Secretary General's Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while addressing the Contact Group meeting emphasised that espousal of the Kashmir cause by OIC at all global forums constituted a source of strength for the oppressed Kashmiri people.
He added that the Kashmir dispute was not just a boundary issue but concerned the fundamental right and principle of freedom and self-determination of the Kashmiri people. The Foreign Minister briefed the Contact Group on composite dialogue between Pakistan and India. He characterised the Kashmir dispute being at the heart of the conflict and tension in South Asia.
The true representatives of the Kashmiri people representing both Azad Kashmir and Indian Occupied Kashmir attended the meeting on special invitation of Secretary General OIC and presented a memorandum highlighting the atrocities perpetrated by the security forces in the Indian Occupied Kashmir with particular reference to the recent economic blockade, curfews and firing on peaceful protests.
Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in his statement at the Contact Group meeting supported Pakistan's call for associating Kashmiri people with any discussion aimed at a settlement of the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger are members of the Contact Group. The report of the Contact Group meeting will be presented to the annual co-ordination meeting of the OIC Foreign Ministers to be held on September 26.
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