Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir condemned in OIC contact group meeting

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi led the Pakistan delegation at the meeting.

JEDDAH (Dunya News) – Organization of Islamic Cooperation Contact Group has unanimously condemned Indian human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal said the group met with OIC Secretary General Yousef Al-Othaimeen in the chair in Jeddah.

Those who attended the meeting included Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the Turkish Foreign Minister, the Deputy Foreign Minister Azerbaijan and senior representatives of Saudi Arabia and Niger. Earlier, meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), preparatory to the 14th Islamic Summit Conference, was also held in Jeddah. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi led the Pakistan delegation at the meeting. The CFM deliberated on and adopted outcome documents for the forthcoming Makkah Summit. Speaking during the meeting, the foreign minister drew the participants’ attention towards grave human rights violations taking place in the Indian occupied Kashmir. He stated, "The Kashmiris right to self-determination continues to be denied through illegal occupation and a concerted campaign of torture, humiliation, rape and violence". He also sought support of the OIC member states for constituting a Commission of Inquiry under the UN to investigate the violations and excesses in the Indian occupied Kashmir. The foreign minister also made a detailed reference to the situation in Palestine, strongly condemning the continuing Israeli atrocities against innocent Palestinians. He called for consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and security of Palestinians in the occupied territories.

The FM stated: "While reaffirming full solidarity with the Palestinian people, Pakistan renews its call for establishment of a viable, independent and contiguous state of Palestine, on the basis of internationally agreed parameters, pre 1967 borders, and with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital."

Pakistan was elected as Vice Chair of the bureau of OIC Summit from Asia.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will be participating in the 14th Islamic Summit Conference in Makkah-al-Mukarramah on 31 May 2019.