Special session of OIC's CFM: Saudi Arabia won't disappoint Pakistan: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said that Pakistan has sought a special session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) on Kashmir issue and hoped that Saudi Arabia will not disappoint Pakistan.

Speaking at a news conference along with Minister for Communications Murad Saeed and Special Assistant to the PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awarn, the foreign minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia reiterated Pakistan's desire about convening the special session of CFM.

He said that the Prime Minister thanked the OIC for its constant support to Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. However, he added that there is need to do more. Without giving further details, Qureshi said that the Saudi side had shared a proposal, adding that Pakistan desires the special session of the OIC's CFM.

"We believe that there is a need for doing more with regard to Kashmir. Our proposal is there and they [Saudis] are considering it and we hope that they will not disappoint us," he expressed the optimism.

Qureshi pointed out that regional peace and security is under threat due to India's August 5 step of revoking the special status of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the issue of Kashmir was brought to the UN Security Council after a lapse of 50 years on 16th of August last year and for the second time on January 15, 2020 on Pakistan's request. He said that all the 15 members, five permanent and 10 nonpermanent, not only attended the session but took active part in the hour-long discussion on the situation in Kashmir.

He said continued ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) by India were reported by United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). The UNMOGIP admitted complete support and cooperation from the Pakistan side, unlike India where there are a lot of restrictions for the UN observers.

The foreign minister, however, insisted that there is a need for the reinforcement of the UNMOGIP due to the gravity of the situation and possibility of the false flag operation by India.

To a question, he said that US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan in Davos expressed concerns over the situations in Kashmir. He said that India is not ready to cooperate, as it is avoiding the third party involvement fearing that it will get exposed.

He said that that India has always avoided third party mediation and constantly delayed the issue by insisting on bilateralism. However, the recent steps reflect its unilateralism and depict its non-seriousness in resolving issues through bilateralism.

He insisted that President Trump can play an important role to warn India against undertaking any false flag operation or misadventure, adding that Pakistan will respond forcefully to any such move like it did in the past.

However, he added that world powers have conflicting interests in the region and they think beyond the Kashmir while pursuing their interest. At the same time, he pointed out that the issue of Kashmir is now being discussed by the public representatives in Europe and the US.

Qureshi also stated that the Prime Minister has decided to launch a detailed campaign and plan to sensitize the people in Pakistan and abroad on Kashmir issue.

He said that the drive campaign will be launched from tomorrow (Saturday) to highlight the Kashmir issue through print, social and electronic media. He mentioned about a number of events to be taken from January 25 to February 5 to highlight the Indian atrocities and express complete solidarity with the people of the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Responding to a question, he said the entire India stands against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, adding that such steps have exposed the reality of so-called secular and democratic India before the world community.

To another question, Qureshi said the whole nation is united to raise the case of innocent Kashmiris on every international forum. He also rejected the impression that Kashmiri people are disappointed, adding that they attach high hopes with Pakistan and its people. "Pakistan will continue to extend every possible support be it political, moral or diplomatic and it will not disappoint the Kashmir people," he added.