Qureshi discusses Islamophobia, IIOJK situation with OIC Secretary General

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had a telephone conversation with OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef A. Al-Othaimeen, Thursday.

The two sides discussed a wide range of issues related to the Muslim Ummah. The Foreign Minister highlighted that, as a founding member of the Organization, Pakistan attached utmost importance to the OIC and the issues of concern to the Muslim world.

The Foreign Minister noted the rise in incidents of Islamophobia and hate speech against Muslims, including desecration of the Holy Quran and reprinting of caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), which had seriously hurt the sentiments of Muslims around the world. The Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of collective endeavours to combat the scourge of Islamophobia.

Foreign Minister Qureshi apprised the Secretary General of the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in IIOJK since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019. He highlighted that India has promulgated new domicile rules and introduced amendments in landownership laws to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory, which is a clear violation of the relevant UN and OIC resolutions and international law.

The Foreign Minister stated that besides continued lockdown, military siege and communication blackout for over one year, occupation forces have intensified repression of the Kashmiri population through extra-judicial killings in fake “encounters” and “collective punishment” for Kashmiri communities and neighbourhoods.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the OIC’s consistent support on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

The Foreign Minister and the Secretary General agreed to remain in touch regarding matters related to the OIC and the Muslim Ummah.