OIC Contact Group calls on India to ‘immediately’ halt security operations in Kashmir

OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir on Monday called on India to immediately halt its security operations in the occupied region and demanded that it abstain from changing the valley’s demographic structure.

The OIC, in a statement, said: “The Contact Group [on Jammu and Kashmir] called on India to halt security operations against the people of Jammu and Kashmir immediately, respect basic human rights, refrain from changing the demographic structure of the disputed territory, and settle the conflict under the relevant UNSC's resolutions.”

The joint statement came after the conclusion of an emergency meeting convened on Pakistan’s request, which was attended by the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Niger, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

OIC Secretary-General Dr Yousef A Al-Othaimeen inaugurated the meeting and stressed the OIC's “commitment to finding a peaceful settlement for the Jammu and Kashmir issue as per the relevant resolutions of the Islamic Summit, the Council of Foreign Ministers, and the international legitimacy.

"At the same time, I call on the international community to strengthen its efforts to assist the people of Kashmir to decisively practice their legitimate rights denied for decades," Al-Othaimeen said.

The Contact Group reaffirmed the continued support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and called on the United Nations Secretary-General to use his good offices to make India abide by the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) resolutions and engage in dialogue to calm the situation in the region.

On the other hand, the Contact Group highly appreciated the efforts made by the OIC General Secretariat through its Special Envoy to Jammu and Kashmir who visited the region in March 2020.

Meanwhile, according to Radio Pakistan, the meeting had rejected the newly-notified "Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Order 2020" and "Jammu & Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate Rules 2020" aimed at changing the demographic structure of Occupied Kashmir.

“The communique affirmed that Indian actions of 5th of August last year and new domicile rules are in complete violation of the UNSC Resolutions, international law including the 4th Geneva Conventions, and India's own solemn commitments to implement UNSC resolutions,” the publication said.

The OIC’s Contact Group also expressed concern over New Delhi’s repeated ceasefire violations along the Line of Control — resulting in deaths to civilian population particularly women and children.

Pakistan concerned on Kashmir situation  

Earlier, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi apprised the participants of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir about the prevailing situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir.

The foreign minister said that the situation in occupied Kashmir is rapidly deteriorating and Pakistan is concerned for the well being IoK citizens.

Briefing the media after the session, Qureshi said that he presented Azad Kashmir President’s message as well before the members.

He said that India wants to suppress Kashmiris’ desire for freedom through violence but it will be in vain.

FM Qureshi said he also said that the voice of media is being suppressed in the valley and Hurriyat leaders are under imprisonment.

“In order to mitigate the beating that India took in Ladakh at the hands of China, it is now making up excuses for a false flag operation,” said the minister.

Shah Mehmood said that the contact group assured him that they support the struggle of Kashmiris and no one can make the Ummah forget about the plight of Muslims in the valley.

He added that the OIC group unanimously rejected India’s policies and demanded an end to lockdown.

The OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir was formed in 1994 to voice OIC’s point of view and coordinate joint Islamic action on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. This is the third meeting of the Contact Group since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in IOJ&K.

“The OIC has steadfastly supported the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination. In addition to the meetings of the Contact Group, the OIC and its human rights body, IPHRC, have consistently pronounced themselves on the issue — condemning and rejecting India’s illegal and unilateral actions while reiterating support to the beleaguered people of IOJ&K,” the group said.

The OIC Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassdor Yousef Al-Dobeay, visited Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir in March this year to reaffirm OIC’s support and solidarity with the Kashmiri people and acquire first-hand information on the situation along the Line of Control(LoC).

Saudi Arabia backs Pakistan's stance

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Monday that in conversation with Foreign Minister Prince Prince Faisal Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, he expressed deep concern over the continuing double lockdown and intensification of military crackdown by Indian occupation forces in IoK.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO), matters of mutual interest, including COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced bilateral cooperation and situation in Indian occupied Kashmir were discussed.

Foreign Minister Qureshi underscored that the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were deep-rooted and the strategic relationship between the two countries was growing in every facet.

He thanked for the condolence messages issued by His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia over the PIA plane crash last month.

The two ministers exchanged views about the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic.

Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan expressed solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat the outbreak. He lauded the recent statements of OIC and other international bodies which showed serious concerns and urged urgent steps to address the situation in IoK.

The Saudi Foreign Minister reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s traditional support for the Kashmir cause.

The two foreign ministers agreed to remain in close contact to take forward the important bilateral agenda and close cooperation in various fields.