By The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has said it has been working on a plan to find a channel of discussion between Pakistan and India in its earnest endeavours to see a solution to the longstanding Kashmir issue.
OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha at a brief media talk at President’s House on Sunday said, “I think the most important thing is to find the channel of discussion between stakeholders [India and Pakistan] and we are working on a plan of action in this regard in collaboration with the Pakistani government and other member countries.”
“That’s why we need the mandate of member states and we should know that most of the issues in diplomacy should not be [discussed] on the street,” he added.
There were also AJK President Barrister Sultan Mahmood and Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Adviser to Pakistani Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, members of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir, and top OIC general secretariat officials.
Mr Taha told the media that he was on a tour to implement a resolution passed by the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) during a recent session and that he wanted to observe the situation on the ground for himself.
“We are here to express our solidarity, sympathy, and determination of the OIC to find out a solution for this longest conflict between India and Pakistan [in collaboration] with our partners, with the international community, and with our member states.”
He stated that Kashmir is a member of the OIC, which has a collective and individual obligation to discuss the matter and find a solution.
When asked why some OIC member states went “the extra mile” to express their “appreciation and fondness” for India despite the latter’s perpetual denial of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, a commission of war crimes in occupied territory, and state-sponsored persecution of Indian Muslims, he alluded to the forum’s limitations.
“I just want to emphasize that in OIC we are working based on the resolutions that were adopted by the member states. But all states have their sovereignty even though we are [from] the same community,” he said.
Concerning the OIC delegation’s visit to the Line of Control, he stated that he will provide a complete report to the CFM in light of the visit and request that they “take the appropriate decision.” The choice will be made mostly by the foreign ministries.”
In his opening comments, the AJK president stated that Kashmir was not a geographical conflict, but rather a question of a nation’s future.
He thanked the OIC secretary general for his unwavering support for the people of India-held Kashmir’s right to self-determination.
Earlier, the team, escorted by Mr Kaira, drove to the Chakothi area, where it was briefed on the LoC status by a military officer.
The team then paid a visit to the Martyrs’ Monument in Chattar, where Mr Taha placed a floral wreath. They also spoke with a group of victims whose families had lost loved ones as a result of ceasefire breaches.
