Pakistan apprises D-8 members of worsening human rights situation in IIOJK

During a special virtual session of D-8 Commissioners, Pakistan apprised participants of the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in the wake of a year-long inhuman military siege, communication blackout, and egregious violations of human rights.

The session, co-chaired by Turkey (as the current chair)  and Bangladesh (as the incoming chair), was attended by D-8 Commissioners/Representatives and the D-8 Secretary General.

Director General EC&OIC Tariq Karim participated in the meeting as Pakistan’s Commissioner for the D-8.

He said during the session that despite widespread international condemnation, the Indian occupation forces continued to brutalise and disenfranchise the Kashmiris.

He stressed the importance of the world community and brotherly nations taking steps to alleviate sufferings of the Kashmiri people and to promote the realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination.

In his interventions, Karim appreciated efforts to organise the special session of the D-8.

He also highlighted the unprecedented global health and economic challenges posed by Covid-19, saying that “smart lockdown” policy and other measures taken by the government have led to a significant improvement in the pandemic situation in Pakistan with a notable reduction in new cases and fatality rate.

The Pakistan’s commissioner highlighted the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s major initiatives to combat the pandemic including $8 billion relief package for vulnerable groups; Ehsas Emergency Cash Programme; and “Global Initiative on Debt Relief” for developing countries. He expressed Pakistan’s readiness to enhance international cooperation to combat the pandemic.

In his remarks, the D-8 Secretary General Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari updated member states on the activities and initiatives of the Secretariat.

He informed about the steps taken by the Secretariat and D-8 Health and Social Protection programme office (D-8 HSP) in order to provide support and strengthen cooperation among member states in response to the Covid-19 crisis. The secretary general also apprised the participants on the status of various D-8 projects/initiatives.

The meeting also discussed various issues related to preparations for the 10th D-8 Summit to be held in Dhaka. The D-8 Commissioner for Bangladesh briefed on the programme and events being planned for the next summit.

Pakistan is a founding member and key contributor to the D-8 activities. Other members include Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey.