YAOUNDE, Aug 30 (Alliance News): At the 50th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Cameroon, Pakistan urged the Islamic Ummah to unite and address the pressing challenges of foreign occupation, terrorism, and Islamophobia.
Leading the Pakistani delegation, Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi emphasized the importance of a collective response to these issues, particularly highlighting the oppressive situations in Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Qazi condemned the genocidal violence in Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been martyred, and nearly two million displaced by Israeli actions. He called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank and urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and human rights.
Addressing the Kashmir issue, Qazi criticized India’s unilateral actions since August 5, 2019, aimed at annexing IIOJK. He described the region as one of the most heavily militarized zones in the world, where Indian forces impose draconian measures, including extra-judicial killings and demographic changes to alter the region’s Muslim-majority character.
Qazi also highlighted the growing global crisis of Islamophobia, marked by the desecration of the Holy Quran, attacks on mosques, and violence against Muslims. He called for the OIC to work with the United Nations to develop an Action Plan to Combat Islamophobia.
On terrorism, Qazi reiterated Pakistan’s stance as the biggest victim of terrorism and called for the OIC to work collectively to combat all forms of terrorism. He stressed the need for expanding the UN counter-terrorism framework to include all terrorist groups, including ISIL-K, Al Qaida, the TTP, and far-right supremacist groups.
Regarding Afghanistan, Qazi urged the international community to provide sustained humanitarian assistance and support for economic recovery in the country. He also emphasized the need for the Afghan Interim Government to address concerns about human rights and take action against terrorist groups operating within Afghanistan.
Qazi assured African nations of Pakistan’s continued cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts and highlighted the potential role of the OIC in modernized peacekeeping operations, particularly in Africa.
