India working on alien settlements in IIOJK, Qureshi updates UNSC

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has addressed another letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council and the Secretary-General, updating them on the grave situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), reported 24News TV channel on Wednesday.

The Foreign Minister’s letter highlights the gross and systematic violations of human rights taking place in IIOJK along with the threat posed to peace and security by India. 

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said, “It focusses, in particular, on the illegal demographic changes being undertaken in the occupied territory by India, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, the UN Charter and international law including the 4th Geneva Convention.”

In the letter, the Foreign Minister has apprised the Security Council of India’s implementation of an elaborate strategy of military occupation, land confiscation, influx of non-Kashmiris, and creation of alien settlements in IIOJK.

As a result of the Indian agenda to convert the Muslim majority of IIOJK into a minority, the indigenous Kashmiris are losing their political and cultural identity, their rightful demographic majority, and ownership of their properties in their own homeland.

The letter also underscores the indiscriminate and unprovoked ceasefire violations by India across the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, including deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas.

The over 2,700 ceasefire violations committed by India this year have resulted in the death of 25 innocent people and serious injuries to more than 200 civilians.

The Foreign Minister has called on the Security Council to exercise its direct responsibility to prevent India from perpetrating its criminal colonial project to change the demographic structure of the disputed territory and to secure the implementation of its own resolutions which recognize the Kashmiris’ legitimate right to self-determination through a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices.

The letter by the Foreign Minister is part of Pakistan’s consistent efforts to keep the UN Security Council and the Secretary General regularly informed of the serious situation in IIOJK, and to demand resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

OIC Council of Foreign Ministers 47th Session in Niger

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the 47th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) being held in Niamey, Niger, on 27-28 November.

MOFA Spokesperson said representatives of 57 OIC Member States and five Observer States are expected to attend the meeting.

During the two-day session, the CFM will discuss a wide range of issues confronting the Muslim world with particular focus on combating Islamophobia and defamation of the religions; Palestine; Jammu &Kashmir dispute; situation of Muslim communities and minorities in non-OIC states; OIC 2025 Programme of Action; and various matters related to promotion of civilizational, cultural and religious dialogue.

The Council will also hold a brainstorming session on “Security and Humanitarian Challenges Confronting African Sahel States Members of the OIC.”

During the visit, the Foreign Minister will highlight aggravating human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K) in the wake of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 and subsequent measures to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory.

The Foreign Minister will also highlight rising incidents of Islamophobia and hate speech against Muslims and emphasize the need for unity of the Islamic world to combat the scourge of Islamophobia and promote inter-faith harmony.

On the sidelines, the Foreign Minister will hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts/ heads of delegations of member states.

The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim Ummah and a second largest international organization after the United Nations.

With 57 members and five observers, the OIC membership spans over four continents. The organization has completed 50 years of its existence. Pakistan is one of the founding members of the OIC and has actively contributed towards the objectives and goals of the OIC.