At OIC meeting, Pakistan calls for resolution of Kashmir, Palestinian issues

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan Monday underscored the need for resolution of the conflicts of Jammu & Kashmir and Palestine by allowing their peoples to exercise the UN-promised right of self-determination.

“The principles of self-determination and the non-acquisition of territory by the use or threat of use of force are fundamental for the maintenance of world order,” Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammed Ishaq Dar told a special meeting of OIC Ambassadors at the UN.

“Respect for these principles is critical to realise just solutions for Palestine as well as for the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” said the DPM/FM, who arrived Sunday afternoon to participate in the high-level meeting of the UN Security Council on global governance and multilateralism.

In both conflicts, he added, implementation of these principles is essential to end foreign occupation and realise freedom.

At the outset, Senator Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to advance the common objectives of the OIC at the UN. 

The DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people and called upon the international community to seek a peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

At the same time, Senator Dar voiced concern over the reported Israeli threats to conduct further attacks against Iran, saying it would create a grave threat to regional and international peace and security.

“Despite the hostile rhetoric, it is our hope that all peoples will seek to revive the JCPOA (the Iran nuclear deal) on equitable terms. This should contribute significantly to realising durable peace and security across the Middle East.”

The DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes that affect the Muslim countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia in accordance with principles of the UN Charter.

He also stressed the urgency of combating Islamophobia and called for the early appointment of a UN Special Envoy in line with the OIC’s collective efforts to counter this rising trend globally. Senator Dar expressed Pakistan’s strong commitment to working closely with OIC member states during its Security Council term on all issues of interest to OIC countries.