OIC to hold emergency meeting on Kashmir dispute in Jeddah today
According to FO, the meeting will discuss the recent illegal developments in IOK.
JEDDAH (Dunya News) – An emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir has been called today (Tuesday) in Jeddah – as the Indian government yesterday rushed through a presidential decree to abolish Articles 370 and 35A of its constitution to scrap special status granted to Indian-occupied Kashmir (IOK).
According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal, the meeting would discuss the recent illegal developments by India in IOK.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will lead Pakistani delegation, and representatives from Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and other member countries will also attend the meeting.
Earlier, the OIC had expressed deep concerns about the deteriorating situation in IOK, including reports of deployment of additional paramilitary forces and use of banned cluster munition by the Indian forces to target civilians.
The OIC had reiterated its stance while urging the international community to play a responsible role for the peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
‘Indian govt to demographically change Kashmir’
Former Chief Minister of IOK Mehbooba Mufti has stated that the Indian government has once again pushed Kashmiris to the brink by revoking Article 370.
In a tweet, she said: “The Indian government s intention is clear and sinister. They want to change demography of the only Muslim majority state in India, disempowered Muslims to the extent where they would become second class citizens in their own state.”
“There is no other way but to oppose this illegal and unconstitutional onslaught on our dignity.”
She said the people of Jammu and Kashmir who reposed their faith in institutions of India like parliament and Supreme Court feel defeated and betrayed.
