OIC supports right to self determination for Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Member countries of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) maintained that the Kashmir issue is the bone of contention between India and Pakistan and supported Kashmiris right to self-determination.

According to statement by the foreign office a parliamentary forum of the OIC took place in Ankara, Turkey where Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq represented Pakistan.

Speaking at the forum Sadiq said that the Indian security forces are attacking unarmed Kashmiris with pellet guns. He added that India was governing the occupied valley through a black law.

The speaker added that India was giving the legitimate struggle for freedom by Kashmiris the colour of terrorism.

He said that India had again and again violated the Line of Control, however Pakistan was fully prepared to respond to any sort of aggression.

The foreign office said a documentary on Kashmir was shown at the forum which highlighted women and children who became victim to pellet guns and mass graves.

 Since July this year over 115 Kashmiris have been martyred by Indian forces, while thousands have been injured.

Tensions flared in the occupied valley after a Kashmiri separatist leader Burhan Wani was killed by Indian forces after which the area has been gripped under a curfew.

Pakistan has raised the issue of Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir on the international forum, calling on the international community to play its role in putting an end to human rights violations in occupied Kashmir. Pakistan has also called for implementation of UN resolutions to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

India has reacted by violating the ceasefire agreement at the LoC several time since last month. On September 29, India claimed to have carried out 'surgical strikes' across the LoC in which two Pakistani soldiers were martyred. Pakistan dismissed the claims of the surgical strikes. India has so far failed to provide any proof of any such strikes.

Tensions between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours have escalated following the Uri attack in Indian occupied Kashmir.