Occupied Kashmir: Pakistan seeks OIC support for UN probe into Indian atrocities

Islamabad also renews its call for establishment of a 'viable, independent and contiguous' state of Palestine

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has sought the support of member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for constituting a Commission of Inquiry under the United Nations to investigate New Delhi's violations and excesses in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK).

Qureshi was leading Pakistan's delegation in the meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Jeddah, a precursor to the 14th Islamic Summit Conference due to be held in Makkah.

According to the foreign office, the minister drew the participants’ attention towards India's grave human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.

OIC Contact Group meeting in Jeddah under the chairmanship of SG OIC. FM Qureshi, FM Turkey and Deputy FM Azerbaijan, alongwith Senior Reps of Saudia & Niger present. Indian HR abuses unequivocally condemned #kashmirbleeds pic.twitter.com/uh7Ow7QQpq

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 30, 2019

"Kashmiris' right to self-determination continues to be denied through illegal occupation and a concerted campaign of torture, humiliation, rape, and violence," said Qureshi.

He also made a detailed reference to the situation in Palestine, strongly condemning Israel's continuing atrocities against innocent Palestinians.

He called for consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and security of Palestinians in the occupied territories. “While reaffirming full solidarity with the Palestinian people, Pakistan renews its call for the 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.”

The CFM meeting also deliberated on and adopted outcome documents for the forthcoming Makkah Summit. The meeting also saw Pakistan being elected vice chair of the bureau of OIC Summit from Asia.

Earlier, in a separate meeting with OIC Secretary General Yousef al Othaimeen in Jeddah, Qureshi said the OIC Contact Group for Jammu and Kashmir must play its due role in highlighting Indian atrocities at the international level.

According to Radio Pakistan, the minister said the solution to the challenges facing the Muslim community lies in unity and joint efforts. “Pakistan gives high value to the OIC and it intends to set up a permanent mission of OIC in Jeddah,” he said.

The foreign minister expressed hope that the OIC secretary general would review the implementation of joint decisions regarding Islamophobia taken in the meeting of the OIC Executive Council in March this year.