ISLAMABAD: Secretary General of the Organisa­tion of Islamic Cooperation Dr Yusuf Ahmad Al-Othai­meen said on Monday that India had been declining the OIC’s request for a visit to held Kashmir to assess the human rights situation there.

Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, the OIC secretary general said: “India also opposed dispatch of an OIC Human Rights Commission to occupied Kashmir, but despite denial by India, we should keep pressure on New Delhi on the issue of human rights violations in the valley and peaceful resolution of the dispute.”

The two leaders said they had unanimity of views on all issues facing the Muslim Ummah.

Dr Al-Othaimeen said the OIC was in agreement with Pakistan over a peaceful resolution of the decades-old Kashmir dispute. “Kashmir issue is at the top of the OIC’s agenda,” he added.

He said it was unfortunate that India had denied a request from the OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission to visit held Kashmir in order to assess the situation there.

“But we should keep the pressure [on the Indian government] every time the occasion arises,” he said, adding that the OIC wanted a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The OIC secretary general said his organisation had the same position as that of Pakistan on issues of Kashmir, Palestine, Islamophobia and plight of Muslim communities in non-Muslim countries.

Dr Al-Othaimeen thanked Pakistan for supporting programmes and causes espoused by the OIC and said the two sides discussed holding of the upcoming summit of OIC on Science and Technology.

Talking about terrorism, he said: “The OIC condemns all terrorist acts in Pakistan or in any other country. Terrorism is terrorism and it has no race or religion. We condemn terrorism no matter where it happens in the world, as Islam is the religion of peace and co-existence.”

He said the two sides had vowed to work closely on all issues facing the Muslim Ummah.

About conflict in Syria, he said it had two dimensions — political and humanitarian. “The OIC wants a political solution to the problem and mobilising support for refugees to alleviate their sufferings,” he added.

Dr Al-Othaimeen express­ed the hope that an OIC contact group on refugees would be formed at the next meeting of OIC foreign ministers.

“The OIC also wants to initiate dialogue with European countries on issues pertaining to Muslims living there as the organisation is in a unique position to play the role of a bridge between Muslim communities and the host governments,” he said.

Speaking on this occasion, Sartaj Aziz thanked the OIC and Muslim countries for their consistent support on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

The adviser said he briefed the distinguished guest on human rights violations by Indian forces in held Kashmir.

“We agreed to work together to combat Islamo­phobia and hatred against Muslims and formulate a joint Islamic action against publication of blasphemous material including on social media,” he said.

The OIC secretary general will meet President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday in the Presidency and discuss the issues confronting Muslim countries, including Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2017