OIC can help resolve Kashmir dispute: Lodhi

Pakistan’s permanent ambassador to UN says OIC is capable of promoting global peace and security

Pakistan’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations Dr Maliha Lodhi told the Security Council on Wednesday that the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) can help resolve the longstanding dispute of Kashmir.

“The OIC, along with the UN, is capable of dealing with the dispute of Kashmir and address the Middle East’s current security challenges,” a press release issued from her New York office read.

“The OIC is also capable of promoting global peace and security, the envoy said while speaking during the Security Council debate on Regional Organisations and Contemporary Challenges of Global Security.

Underlining the OIC’s unique characteristics, the former ambassador to the US pointed out that the organisation includes 57 UN-member states and spans four continents that confront imposing security challenges.

“While some regional organisations have proved their worth, others like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) have yet to fulfill that promise,” Dr Lodhi told the 15-member council.

“Saarc has been constrained because of the deep differences among its members and attempts to utilise it for regional domination,” she added.

Further, Dr Lodhi demanded the UN to actively promote cooperation with the OIC in areas such as mediation and conciliation of disputes; peacekeeping and peace building; humanitarian assistance, especially to refugees and displaced people.

The ambassador warned the Security Council that the global threats to peace world order were multiplying from diverse sources, including climate change, poverty, unemployment, water sacristy, record number of refugees, and the gross violation of human rights.

The Pakistani envoy urged the leading global regional powers to rise above their narrow interests and competing agendas to play their role in promoting peace and harmony across the globe.