ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: The 12th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) adopted in Cairo on Thursday a joint communiqué that in addition to addressing other issues of concern to the Ummah reaffirmed support to the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir for their right to self-determination.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar led Pakistan’s delegation attending the meeting.
The communiqué called upon India to allow a fact-finding mission comprising OIC representatives and members of human rights groups and humanitarian organisations to visit occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It urged the Indian authorities to facilitate independent investigations into the mass graves discovered in occupied territories and ensure free and fair trial of those found responsible.
The communiqué also expressed deep concerns over recent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and welcomed Pakistan’s proposal to let the United Nations’ Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan probe the cases.
In her statement to the summit, Foreign Minister Khar underscored the need for addressing the daunting challenges faced by the Muslim world through unity, solidarity and a spirit of brotherhood.
Reiterating Pakistan’s support for “Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process”, she said that Islamabad was extending all possible assistance to the initiative.
Condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, Ms Khar said the menace could not be dealt with by military means only because the problem required a comprehensive strategy.
She also expressed concerns over what she termed ‘continuing trend of Islamophobia’ and underlined the need for a joint strategy for stopping defamation of religion on the pretext of freedom of expression.
The foreign minister also underscored the need for enhancing trade and economic cooperation among OIC member states. On the sidelines of the summit, Ms Khar met a number of foreign ministers including that of Iran, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and the UAE. She exchanged views on regional and international developments and on issues of interest to the Ummah during the meetings.—APP
