OIC rallies behind Pakistan over ongoing unrest in Srinagar

At least a dozen civilians have been killed by Indian occupation forces since the start of by-elections

ISLAMABAD: Denouncing the ongoing violence in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has said it is in full agreement with Islamabad over the peaceful resolution of the longstanding dispute.

The statement came as four more Kashmiri youths were killed and 200 injured in clashes with Indian forces on Monday, bringing the number of recent deaths in the occupied territory to 12. An escalation in the tense situation of the valley has been witnessed as by-elections are under way in a Srinagar constituency.

India ignores request for OIC fact-finder’s trip

Addressing a joint news briefing with Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on Monday, OIC Secretary-General Dr Yousaf Ahmad Al Othaimeen said his organisation holds the same views on Kashmir and Palestine.

Othaimeen, who is on his maiden visit to Pakistan, said the OIC had been urging to provide access to a human rights commission in held Kashmir, but the request was declined. He, however, said the organisation would continue urging New Delhi on the issue of rights abuses and peaceful resolution of the dispute.

He said India also opposed dispatch of an OIV Human Rights Commission to IOK.

The OIC secretary general said they condemned all terrorist acts, either in Pakistan or any other country. Terrorism, he added, has no race or religion, adding that Islam is a religion of peace and co-existence.



The two leaders said there was hundred per cent unanimity of views on all issues facing the Muslim Ummah and the way forward. “The OIC has same position as that of Pakistan on issues of Kashmir, Palestine, Islamophobia and plight of Muslim communities in non-Muslim countries,” Othaimeen stressed.

The OIC secretary-general said the two sides have vowed to work closely on all issues facing the Ummah.

Syrian conflict

About the conflict in Syria, he said it has two dimensions - political and humanitarian.

He underscored that the OIC wanted a political solution to the problem and was mobilising support for refugees to alleviate their sufferings.

The OIC secretary-general said an OIC Contact Group on Refugees would hopefully be formed in the next meeting of the OIC foreign ministers.

OIC team to visit Pakistan, AJK tomorrow

He said that the OIC also wanted to initiate dialogue with European countries on issues pertaining to Muslims living there as the organisation was in a unique position to play the role of a bridge between Muslim communities and the host governments.

Sartaj Aziz thanked the OIC and the Muslim countries for their consistent support on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. He said he has briefed the distinguished guest on human rights violation by Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir.

“We agreed to work together to combat Islamophobia and hatred against Muslims and formulate joint Islamic action against publication of blasphemous material, including on social media.”