Pakistan Times, ISTANBUL: The OIC Contact Group on Kashmir has expressed deep concern over the situation of human rights in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and called for an immediate end to the continuing massive violation of human rights of Kashmiri people.
In a joint statement issued here Tuesday, the Group reiterated the determination of member states of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to continue their efforts for full protection of the fundamental human rights of people of Jammu
Kashmir.
The Group, consisting of foreign minister of Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Niger, Secretary General OIC and Kashmiri representatives, noted reports of gross and consistent HR violations in the occupied valley.
Perspective
The Group was set up in October 1994 at OIC foreign minister's meeting at Islamabad.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Foreign Minister of Turkey Abdullah Gul, Saudi Foreign Minister Dr Nezar Bin Obaid Madani, Foreign Minister of Niger Mamane Oumarou, Secretary General OIC Abdelouahed Belkeziz and Kashmiri representatives attended the meeting.
Satisfaction over De-escalation of Tension
The meeting expressed satisfaction at the recent developments indicating de-escalation of tension in South Asia and hoped the efforts by both Pakistan and India to start dialogue for normalization of relations between the two sides will help in overcoming the differences on the Kashmir dispute and pave way for
its resolution.
The Group conveyed its support for the Government of Pakistan's initiative of unilateral ceasefire along the line of control which has been observed by both the sides.
Confidence Building Measures
It appreciated the institution of confidence building measures (CBMs) such as resumption of air and rail links, sports activities and visa facilities to boost people-to-people contacts and interaction.
The Group meeting, held at the sidelines of 31st session of Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (IFCM) adopted the joint statement and received a memorandum from representatives of Kashmir including Abdul Majeed Mattu and Ghulam Nabi Shaheen and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu Kashmir Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan.
Memorandum
The memorandum urged OIC members to call upon India to sincerely address the core dispute of Jammu Kashmir in the composite dialogue for its resolution in accordance with UN Security Council's resolutions.
It also called upon OIC to ask Government of India to take immediate steps to reduce the sufferings of Kashmiris perpetrated by its forces.
Besides, it urged OIC to call upon India to withdraw its troops and hold free and fair plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir under UN auspices.
Later, a Kashmiri delegation also held exclusive session with Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and Foreign Secretary Riaz A Khokar.
Kasuri Speaks
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said Tuesday that Pakistan was ready to reverse the cause of confrontation in South Asia and hoped that the region can finally see the dawn of a lasting peace.
“Pakistan has entered into the dialogue process with the firm commitment and a sincere hope that it would result in a just and lasting solution to this long standing dispute (Kashmir) and that this solution would be a true reflection of the hopes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people on both sides of the Line of Control,” the minister said while speaking at the meeting of OIC Contact Group on Kashmir which met here at the 31st session of Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.
Backdrop of Moot
Secretary General Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Abdelouahed Belkeziz convened the meeting which was attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, Saudi Foreign Minister Dr Nezar Bin Obaid Madani and Foreign Minister of Niger Mamane Oumarou.
“We are pleased to note that the Kashmiri people have expressed their firm support for the initiation of the “composite dialogue,” he said and hoped that the governments of Pakistan and India could live up to the satisfaction of their own people as well as the people of Kashmir so that South Asia can finally see the dawn of a lasting peace.
Composite Dialogue
Kasuri said that the composite dialogue that commenced in February this year, between Pakistan and India offered an unprecedented opportunity to achieve an equitable settlement of the long standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people.
He said that President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf has described this opportunity as “a moment of hope and optimism.”
UN Resolutions on Kashmir
Referring to UN Security Council's resolution on Kashmir, he said that these resolutions called for a free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of United Nations.
He pointed out that Pakistan has always beed ready to hold meaningful and substantive talks with India to seek a peaceful solution to Kashmir dispute.
“The present peace process initiated in South Asia needs to be consolidated because it is the only way to relieve the sufferings of Kashmiri people and to bring a lasting peace to the region.
Belkeziz Remarks
Secretary General OIC Abdelouahed Belkeziz said that the Kashmir dispute was not the issue of Islamic world alone but facing the contemporary world.
“Any potential clash between the two countries poses a serious threat to the region of South Asia and the world at large,” he added.
He said the OIC has made constant efforts in order to reach a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict. The organization was continuing to urge India and Pakistan to embark on serious dialogue to solve pending differences.
Belkeziz said that OIC has expressed strong support for the ongoing peace process between Pakistan and India.
