OIC all praise for Pakistan’s role in South Asia stability

ISLAMABAD: The OIC member states have acknowledged Pakistan’s pivotal role as an anchor of stability in South Asia and commended its efforts for promotion of regional peace.

At the conclusion of the 48th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Conference here on Wednesday, the member states issued the Islamabad Declaration and resolved to pursue a shared global vision for peace, security, development and human rights grounded in faithful adherence to universal principles of equity and justice, sovereign equality, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.

The conference with the theme of “Partnering for Unity, Justice and Development” reiterated solidarity with Mali, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire, Union of Comoros, Djibouti, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the People of Jammu and Kashmir and the Turkish Cypriots and their aspirations to live in peace, security and prosperity.

The OIC member states while taking note of an Indian missile which landed inside Pakistan expressed its grave concern over the violation of Pakistan’s airspace, threat to passenger aircraft and dangers to peace and security in South Asia arising from the launch of a supersonic missile on March 9, 2022.

“We call on India to fully abide by international law and norms of responsible state behavior and conduct a joint probe with Pakistan to accurately establish facts.”

They denounced the systematic and widespread policy of discrimination and intolerance against Muslims in India, which has led to their political, economic and social marginalisation.

“We are deeply alarmed by the most pernicious attacks on the Muslim identity in India as manifest in the discriminatory laws and policies targeting the Hijab. We call upon India to immediately revoke such discriminatory laws, ensure the rights of the Indian Muslims and protect their religious freedom.”

Jammu and Kashmir was also focused upon in which the OIC member states renewed their unwavering solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expressed full support for their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the OIC and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

“We condemn massive violations of their human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). We reiterate rejection of India’s illegal and unilateral actions since Aug 5, 2019, aimed at altering the demographic composition of the occupied territory, suppressing the realisation of the inalienable right to self-determination of the Kashmiris in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention.”

They also declared that the final settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions was indispensable to durable peace in South Asia.

“We reiterate our call on India to reverse its unilateral and illegal measures instituted since Aug 5, 2019, cease its oppression and human rights violations against the Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, halt and reverse attempts to alter the demographic structure and redraw electoral constituencies in IIOJK and take concrete and meaningful steps for full implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.”

The member states also reaffirmed their strong position against any attempts to equate the just and legitimate struggle of people for self-determination and liberation from foreign occupation with terrorism.

They rejected terrorism in all forms and manifestations as well as attempts to attribute terrorism to any country, religion, nationality, race or civilisation.

It re-emphasised the centrality of the question of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif for the Muslim Ummah, reaffirming its principled and continued all-level support to the Palestinian people to regain their inalienable legitimate national rights, including their right to self-determination and the independence of the State of Palestine along the 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. “We also reaffirm our duty to protect the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution 194 and to unequivocally counter any denial of these rights.”

They reaffirmed that Al-Quds Al-Sharif is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian Territory of the State of Palestine and called on the international community to compel Israel, the occupying power, to desist from its colonial practices and abide by all international resolutions on the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and to refrain from all measures, practices and decisions aimed at altering the character and legal status of the Holy City, including through intensification of Jewish colonial settlements therein and forcible expulsion of its Arab Palestinian inhabitants; and to desist from the desecration of Islamic Shrines, including aggression against Al-Quds Al-Sharif and call for mobilisation of all efforts to confront Israeli colonial occupation and hostile takeover of the Holy City and to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people as well as reiterate that maintaining Jerusalem’s legal status as the Capital of the State of Palestine is the only guarantee to achieving peace and security for the region.

“We decide to take further effective measures to remove obstacles to the realisation of the Palestinian people to self-determination, through ensuring protection and bringing an end to Israelis’ illegal colonial occupation and apartheid regime, and for achieving a just solution. In this regard, we decide to seek accountability measures against the occupying power, and to lend full support to and cooperation in all actions that seek accountability and are aimed at bringing an end to this colonial occupation and its apartheid regime, including at the ICJ.”

Nigeria became the first contributor to the recently setup Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan and the Islamabad Declaration reiterated its call to the OIC member states and other international partners to contribute generously to the Trust Fund, which would help alleviate the urgent humanitarian needs of the Afghan people and to provide them opportunities for progress and development.

The OIC moot once again called for the return of the frozen national assets of Afghanistan, as early access to its financial resources is critical in preventing an economic meltdown and exacerbation of the humanitarian situation.

It pointed out that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan can only be assured through formation of a comprehensive, broad-based and inclusive government with the participation of all Afghan ethnicities.

It underlined the importance of full respect for the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children and persons belonging to ethnic, religious and cultural minorities.

“We reaffirm the importance of ensuring that the territory of Afghanistan is not used as a platform or safe haven by any terrorist group, in particular Al-Qaeda, Daesh and its affiliates, ETIM, and TTP; and urge the international community to remain cautious against the possibility of incitement and the role of spoilers, both inside and outside the country, to derail efforts aimed at ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan,” the member states said.

They said they were deeply alarmed at the rising terrorist threat posed by racially, ethnically, or ideologically motivated individuals and groups, including Islamophobic, supremacist, far right, extreme-right wing, violent nationalist, xenophobic groups and ideologies in various parts of the world, and decided to carry out joint international efforts to address this threat as well as to end campaign of defamation of Islam, religious profiling and enactment of discriminatory laws targeting Muslims, and counter online spread of hate speech, disinformation, conspiracy theories, and other harmful content against Muslims and Islam.

They also expressed deep concern at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation arising from the conflict in Ukraine, and expressed willingness to support and facilitate the dialogue process between all sides, if requested.

“We reaffirm unequivocal support for the universal and consistent application of the principles of the UN Charter, including non-use of force, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and pacific settlement of disputes, to preserve and build international peace and security, to ensure equal security for all states and respect for International Humanitarian Law.

“We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent further loss of life and ensure that the humanitarian crisis does not worsen in Ukraine. We stress the need for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure safe movement of civilians from active conflict zones and the provision of humanitarian supplies. We urge both sides to engage in meaningful dialogue with the purpose of finding a solution to the present conflict,” the OIC member states said.

They condemned the atrocities perpetrated against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and called for urgent action to uphold their basic rights.

“We reaffirm the vital role of women in the Islamic world and the importance of all OIC member states ratifying the statute of the Islamic Women Development Organization.”

APP ADDS: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Foreign Minister of Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev on Wednesday reviewed the state of bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation, including matters relating to trade and investment, defence and security as well as connectivity agenda.

The two foreign ministers noted with satisfaction the progress made on the CASA-1000 project and expressed commitment for its timely completion, a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release.

The two foreign ministers met on the sidelines of the 48th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.

The two sides also agreed to enhance people-to-people contacts and cooperation in the education sector. Issues relating to the welfare of Pakistani students and expatriate community were discussed.

The importance of regular interaction and dialogue under existing mechanisms and exchange of high-level visits to generate further momentum in the relationship was underlined.

The two sides affirmed their commitment to remain constructively and meaningfully engaged to further reinforce Pakistan-Kyrgyz bilateral relations. Shah Mahmood Qureshi also eaffirmed Pakistan’s unequivocal support for the rights of Palestinian people and their just struggle. He also underscored that Pakistan’s principled stand reflected the sentiments of Pakistani people during a meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Riyad Al Maliki.

Mr Maliki expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s unwavering support and principled stance on Palestine, including at the United Nations (UN) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The two foreign ministers also reviewed the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Palestine, in addition to exchanging views on regional and international issues.