OIC resolution

The organisation reiterated its support for Kashmiris’ well-being despite FM Qureshi’s absence

Reaffirming that the Pakistan-India conflict has largely been instigated by India, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation adopted a resolution on Indian atrocities at its recent meeting in Abu Dhabi. Its rejection by India by default shows that it is on the defensive. Indian media further weakens their country’s position on the situation by claiming that the resolution’s call to protect the Muslim minority, resolve the Kashmir dispute, nurture the Pakistan-India peace process and rebuild the Babri Mosque is embarrassing for India.

Somehow, India has interpreted mediation and conflict-resolution as insignificant strategies and even embarrassing for the country to engage in. There is some serious introspection to be done in terms of what constitutes a noble nation. India should explain why it vehemently rejects the resolution all the while calling itself a democracy. Appropriately, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s boycott of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) session was expected. India’s unwavering stance even at the OIC-CFM meeting created a heated situation, especially after the OIC organisers did not retract Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s invitation. However, the OIC reiterated its support for Kashmiris’ well-being despite FM Qureshi’s absence. This provides strong back support to Pakistan as the OIC comprises major world players which command power in the global arena by controlling significant resources and economies. Although a rookie in the position of top leadership, Prime Minister Imran Khan and his PTI team seem to be tapping into the correct resources to garner support for the Kashmir cause.

While one of the OIC’s major tenets is to serve and protect the interest of Muslim countries and Muslims across the world, let it be reiterated that the desire to avoid war and resolve conflict stems from humane considerations. The argument is hardly about the promotion of Muslims or which one is the more noble leadership. It is about preserving precious civilian and military lives so that families remain intact and their breadwinners alive. More obviously, two nuclear countries threatening war is foolish for egos on both sides as they would be wiped out with nothing left to rehabilitate and pride oneself on.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2019.

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