OIC MPs denounce unabated truce violations by India

Support Kashmiris’ right to self-determination

ISLAMABAD:

The executive committee of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) concluded its two-day meeting at the Parliament House on Tuesday with a renewed resolve to join hands for devising a coherent strategy to counter terrorism and violent extremism as well as with a call for condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Acknowledging the sacrifices of 65,000 Pakistanis, who lost their lives in the country’s long struggle for global peace and stability, the PUIC assured continued support for Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism.

This was the 34th meeting of the executive committee, which was convened in Islamabad on the invitation of the National Assembly.

Backing Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and expressing concern over human rights violations at the hands of Indian forces in the disputed territory, the PUIC called for peaceful resolution of the issue in line with the UN Security Council resolutions as well as the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

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The union also denounced unprovoked firing across the Line of Control (LoC) and the working boundary from the Indian side, terming it sheer violation of the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India. The body condemned massive civilian casualties along the LoC.

The meeting participants emphasised on more talks as well as unity among Muslim countries. They praised PUIC’s efforts to preserve Islamic values and to support the MPs in every possible way in serving their common political, economic and social interests through a joint platform.

They reaffirmed their support to the resoluteness and determination of the Palestinians to confront Israeli aggression with all possible means to recover their occupied territories. They reiterated their support to the just struggle of the Palestinians for their right to self-determination and establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.

They ensured their assistance to the Iraqi people in countering terrorism as well as their support in liberating all of Iraq’s territories from the hold of terrorists. They resolved to remind the international community to address the root causes of terrorism that has spread deprivation and frustration and ignited violence.

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They condemned the continued Israeli aggression and tyrannical attitude against Palestinians. They also denounced occupation of the Syrian side of Golan Heights and Lebanese lands.

The PUIC body extended their support to the Muslim minorities in non-Muslim states in exercising their basic rights and freedoms. They resolved to ensure freedom of belief as well as political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights of the minorities. They resolved to emphasise the importance of the OIC’s role in protecting the interests of the Muslim Ummah on issues such as Islamophobia, defamation of religion and treatment of Muslims, particularly in non-Muslim countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th,  2015.