In New York, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, while reiterating OIC's firm commitment to the Kashmir cause, has condemned the use of force by Indian troops and urged India to take immediate steps to end violence against innocent people in occupied Kashmir.
The OIC Secretary General, while chairing the meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York, said: "OIC will continue to encourage India and Pakistan to sustain and push forward the peace process to resolve all outstanding issues in association with the Kashmiri people in a result oriented dialogue", KMS reported.
He also briefed the meeting on the findings of the recent OIC Mission to Azad Kashmir. The mission was led by Ambassador Ezzat Kamel Mufti, the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir. The atrocities perpetrated by Indian troops in occupied Kashmir with particular reference to the recent economic blockade, curfews and firing on peaceful protests were highlighted in the meeting.
Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while addressing the Contact Group meeting, emphasised that support of the Kashmir cause by the OIC at all global forums was a source of strength for the oppressed Kashmiri people. He added that the Kashmir dispute was not just a boundary issue, but it was the issue of Kashmiris' fundamental right of freedom and self-determination.
The foreign minister briefed the Contact Group on the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babajan pleaded for lasting settlement of the Kashmir dispute and hoped that Pak-India engagement would bring about a just and lasting solution in accordance with Kashmiris' aspirations.
Saudi Arabian delegate reminded the group that his government supported implementation of the UN resolutions and respect for human rights in Jammu and Kashmir. The Niger Ambassador on behalf of his Foreign Minister endorsed the viewpoints on the OIC Secretary General that his government was keen to have just and lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmiri delegation comprising Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl and Syed Faiz Naqasbandi attended the meeting on special invitation of the OIC Secretary General and presented a memorandum, highlighting the atrocities perpetrated by Indian troops in the occupied territory.
Comments
Comments are closed.