• Declaration urges Kashmir dispute settlement as per UN resolutions
• Dar calls for resuming peace process to establish Palestinian state on pre-1967 borders

ISLAMABAD: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called upon the global powers to help stop the genocide being committed by Israel against the Palestinian people by implementing an immediate ceasefire and ensure an urgent supply of aid to Gaza.

A joint declaration issued on Sunday at the end of the 15th Summit of the OIC Member States in the Gambian capital, Banjul, urged the implementation of provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice and the acceleration of aid delivery to Gaza.

The declaration made no mention of support for Palestine in attaining full membership of the United Nations.

In his speech on Sunday, OIC Sec­retary General Hissein Ibrahim Taha urged the member nations to help Palestine achieve full membership.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also expressed Pakistan’s support for Palestine’s admission as a full member of the UN.

The 34-point declaration stressed the urgent need to resolve the disputes in Palestine and India-held Kashmir as per the UN resolutions and the wishes of their people.

It expressed support for the Palestinian people in their struggle to attain the right to self-determination and establish a “sovereign state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital”.

The declaration called for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” and the cessation of hostilities in Gaza, along with the opening of humanitarian corridors to provide humanitarian, medical, and relief aid to the population in the besieged enclave.

It reaffirmed continued political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of India-held Kashmir and called upon the UN Security Council “to take effective measures to implement its resolutions” on the disputed region and help the Kashmiri people exercise their right to self-determination through a UN-backed plebiscite.

The OIC meeting also expre­ssed concern over the “systematic persecution of Muslims and other minorities in India” that has resulted in their marginalisation.

The 57-member body also stressed the need to address the challenges faced by Afghanistan.

The declaration called for respecting the “human rights of all Afghans” especially the women’s right to education and work.

Among other issues, the OIC declaration condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in Euro­pean countries and underlined the importance of fostering tolerance, dialogue and cooperation among religions, cultures, and peoples to address Islamophobia.

Support for Gaza, Afghanistan

Earlier, the OIC secretary general urged the member states to play their part in stopping the aggression and genocide in Gaza and the West Bank.

He also called upon the members to mobilise international sup­port for the recognition of the Palestinian state and help it attain full membership in the UN.

Mr Taha announced the establishment of a media observatory at the OIC secretariat to docum­ent and highlight the numbers of dead, wounded and detainees as a result of the Israeli aggression.

The secretary-general also emphasised that the right to self-determination for the people of held Kashmir remained a priority for the OIC.

On Afghanistan, Mr Taha said OIC was holding “constructive dialogue” with the interim government and urged the member states to contribute to the Afgha­n­istan Humanitarian Trust Fund under the management of the Islamic Development Bank.

‘Resumption of peace process’

In his speech, Deputy PM Dar said resuming the peace process was needed for the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

A press release issued by the Foreign Office spokesperson said Mr Dar expressed deep concern over Israel’s ongoing military onslaught on Gaza and the West Bank.

He urged the OIC member states to work together for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the besieged Palestinians.

On the issue of held Kashmir, the foreign minister sought an end to India’s human rights violations, the release of Hurriyat leaders and the reversal of New Delhi’s “illegal demographic and other unilateral laws”.

Condemning rising Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims, the deputy PM urged the OIC to work with social media platforms to regulate blasphemous and Islamophobic content.

On the sidelines of the summit, Deputy PM Dar met with the top officials of Gambia, Azerbaijan, Turkiye and China.

In his meeting with Gambian President Adama Barrow, Mr Dar underscored the importance of bilateral relations and cooperation in trade, agriculture, education and tourism.

The Deputy PM said Pakistan would offer training programmes for diplomats and military personnel from Gambia.

In a meeting with the foreign minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, Mr Dar resolved to deepen bilateral cooperation and appreciated Azerbaijan’s firm position on the issue of held Kashmir.

Mr Dar also met with the Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, where the two leaders hailed the exceptional bilateral ties between the two nations.

They also reiterated the resolve to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, defence and other sectors.

Deputy PM Dar and Vice Chairman of China’s Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zheng Jianbang stressed the early completion of all CPEC projects.

The vice chairman reaffirmed China’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and development.

The two sides also discussed China’s relationship with the OIC and underlined the importance of dialogue and understanding for mutual peace and prosperity.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a congratulatory message for the session in which he called OIC “a symbol of the unity and independence of Muslim countries”.

He said the body made important contributions to strengthen cooperation among Muslim nations, Xinhua reported.

China and Muslim countries are good friends and partners with a long history of friendship, he said, adding that Beijing was ready to work with the Muslim world to foster development and improve security.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2024