Srinagar
Organization of Islamic Cooperation has condemned in the strongest terms recent wave of “Indian terrorism” in Kashmir and expressed deep concern over the atrocities and human rights violations in the valley, reported Radio Pakistan.
According to a report published by Radio Pakistan, in a resolution adopted by the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Abu Dhabi, the OIC member states reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains the core dispute between Pakistan and India and its resolution is indispensable for the dream for peace in South Asia.
“It reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Kashmiri people in their just cause and reminded the international community of its obligation to ensure implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on the dispute,” Radio Pakistan reported.
“In the context of the current volatile situation in the region, the OIC member states adopted a new resolution sponsored by Pakistan, which expressed grave concern over the Indian violation of Pakistani airspace; affirmed Pakistan’s right to self-defence; and urged India to refrain from the threat or use of force,” it said.
“It also welcomed Prime Minister Imran Khan’s renewed offer of dialogue to India and the goodwill gesture of handing over the Indian pilot,” said the report.
The resolution called for restraint and de-escalation as well as the need to resolve outstanding issues through peaceful means.
In another significant development, the OIC elected Pakistan as a member of its Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission from the Asian region, in acknowledgement of Pakistan’s constructive contribution to human rights discourse, norms and policies.
The report said the OIC adopted two other resolutions sponsored by Pakistan on international disarmament and non-proliferation issues and reform of the UN Security Council.
The strong OIC support to the people of Kashmir and the centrality of this core issue to regional peace is recognition of the key role that Pakistan plays as a founding OIC member,” reported Radio Pakistan.
In response, India issued a statement saying that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country, and the matter is “strictly internal to India”. The Ministry of External Affairs, which issued the statement, also said that “we deeply appreciate” the “historic gesture” of inviting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the 50th-anniversary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
