ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir held an emergency meeting at the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah on Tuesday.
The meeting was called preceding the 46th Session of the Council of Foreign Minsters being held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The meeting was chaired, on behalf of the OIC Secretary General Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen by the Assistant Secretary General Amb Hameed A. Opeloyeru, and attended by the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Tehmina Janjua and Permanent Representatives of Azerbaijan Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Niger.
The meeting was also attended by the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Masood Khan.
In his opening remarks, speaking on behalf of the OIC secretary general, the assistant secretary general expressed grave concern at the rising tension in South Asia, strongly condemned the recent wave of repression, brutal killing of innocent Kashmiri civilians by the Indian occupied forces, and frequent incidents of rape especially of minor girls.
The assistant secretary general reiterated OIC’s principled position on supporting the people of Jammu and Kashmir in achieving their legitimate rights, including the right of self-determination.
Amb Hameed A. Opeloyeru emphasized that conflict should be resolved in accordance with the aspiration of Kashmiri people and OIC and United Nations (UN) resolutions.
Tehmina Janjua apprised the participants on the recent Indian threats to regional peace and security and continued Indian repression and recent escalation in atrocities against the innocent Kashmiris.
The foreign secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of IoK in their just struggle to achieve the inalienable right to self-determination. She recalled Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s concrete offer for dialogue to India.
The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Masood Khan also attended meeting of the Contact Group and briefed the members on the continued oppressive policies of Indian security forces in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir that had alienated Kashmiri people.
The Contact Group appreciated Prime Minister of Pakistan’s offer for peace and dialogue to India to resolve all issues.
The Contact Group also expressed deep concern over the heightened tension and called for immediate de-escalation in the region.
The members of the Contact Group reiterated their continued support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and called on India to immediately stop repressive security operations against the people of Jammu and Kashmir, respect the fundamental and basic human rights and address the dispute in accordance with the relevant OIC and United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions on the subject as well as the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, the principle of self-determination and Human Rights.
The Contact Group called on the OIC and the UN Secretary to use their good offices to arrest the dangerous escalation by India which is threat to regional peace and security. It was underscored that priority should be given to peace and dialogue.
The Contact Group was formed in 1994 to coordinate policy of OIC on Jammu and Kashmir.
