Pakistan hails OIC’s ‘consistent support on Kashmir dispute’

FM Qureshi, OIC chief discuss Islamophobia, Indian atrocities in IIOJK over phone

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held telephonic conversation with Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Dr Yousef A Al-Othaimeen on Thursday and discussed range of issues including rising Islamophobia and Kashmir dispute.

“The two sides discussed a wide range of issues related to the Muslim Ummah. The foreign minister highlighted that, as a founding member of the organisation, Pakistan attached utmost importance to the OIC and the issues of concern to the Muslim world," a Foreign Office statement quoted Qureshi as saying.

The foreign minister noted the rise in incidents of Islamophobia and hate speech against Muslims, including desecration of the Holy Quran and reprinting of blasphemous caricatures, which had seriously hurt the sentiments of Muslims around the world.

He also highlighted the importance of collective endeavours to combat the scourge of Islamophobia.

He also apprised the secretary general of the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since New Delhi illegal and unilateral actions of revoking its autonomous status in August last year.

The foreign minister, according to the communique, highlighted that India has promulgated new domicile rules and introduced amendments in landownership laws to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory, which is a clear violation of the relevant UN and OIC resolutions and international law.

He further said that besides continued lockdown, military siege and communication blackout for over one year, occupation forces have intensified repression of the Kashmiri population through extra-judicial killings in fake “encounters” and “collective punishment” for Kashmiri communities and neighbourhoods.

Qureshi also appreciated the OIC’s consistent support on the Kashmir dispute.

“The foreign minister and the Secretary General agreed to remain in touch regarding matters related to the OIC and the Muslim Ummah,” the statement added.