Pakistan hails OIC for ‘steadfast support on Kashmir dispute’

Islamabad looks forward to hosting 48th Council of Foreign Ministers session in 2021, says FO

Pakistan on Monday expressed gratitude for reaffirmation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) steadfast support on the Kashmir dispute during the 47th Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) session in Niger, a country in West Africa.

The CFM, attended by the foreign ministers and representatives of OIC member states, adopted a comprehensive and strongly-worded resolution on the decades-long Kashmir issue.

"We extend our deep gratitude to Niger (as the new CFM Chair), Saudi Arabia (as Chair of 14th Islamic summit), and Turkey (speaking on behalf of the Asian group) for highlighting the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in their respective statements during the Opening Plenary Session of the CFM," a statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFa) said.

It added that Pakistan is grateful for the explicit reiteration in the “Niamey Declaration” of the OIC’s principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute for a “peaceful settlement in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions”.

According to the official statement, Pakistan also welcomed the adoption of other resolutions by the CFM including resolution on destruction of the Babri Mosque in India and protection of Islamic holy places, resolution on safeguarding the rights of Muslim communities and minorities in non-OIC states, and resolution on maintenance and promotion of regional peace and security in South Asia.

Pakistan, it said, also welcomed the report of OIC Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir on his visit to Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) which was submitted to the CFM.

The communique added that the OIC has always steadfastly supported the Kashmir cause as reflected in decisions and resolutions of the Islamic summit and CFMs as well as statements by the OIC and its human rights body – the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC).

In addition, the statement said that Pakistan also expresses gratitude to the OIC for the unanimous adoption of Resolution on Islamophobia that, inter alia, designates March 15 as “International Day on combating Islamophobia”, in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s consistent endeavours to highlight concern in the Muslim Ummah regarding desecration of the Holy Quran and re-printing of blasphemous caricatures.

“We take this opportunity to extend warm felicitations and best wishes to Ambassador Hussein Ibrahim Taha, from the Republic of Chad, on his election as the new OIC Secretary-General,” it said.

The FO statement said that the government of Pakistan would extend all possible support to him in promoting the OIC as the collective voice of the Muslim Ummah. “We also commend the incumbent Secretary-General Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen for his effective stewardship of the organisation and his efforts to promote Muslim causes, including the Jammu and Kashmir cause.”

The official communique further said that Pakistan looks forward to hosting the 48th CFM Session in 2021.

“As the prospective CFM chair, Pakistan stands ready to constructively engage with the entire OIC membership to promote unity, peace and prosperity among the Muslim Ummah,” it concluded.