OIC-CFM to provide opportunity in addressing Ummah’s issues: FM

ISLAMABAD, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday said the upcoming two-day 48th meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad has assumed huge significance in the backdrop of varying issues faced by the Muslim Ummah.

The foreign minister was addressing a launching ceremony of the official anthem of 48th meeting of the OIC-CFM. Earlier, he launched the anthem along with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain.

The OIC-CFM anthem is jointly released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The anthem was sung and recreated by renowned vocalist Ali Zafar and produced by Tasawar ul Karim Baig.

The foreign minister said that it was an honour for Pakistan to host the OIC-CFM meeting on March 22-23, within a period of few months after the successful hosting of an extraordinary meeting of the OIC-CFM last year.

He said the OIC officials would keep arriving on March 21. “The two-day session is a significant one as it is being held at an important phase when the Ummah is confronted with a host of issues,” he said, citing the Palestine issue and Kashmir issue, the latter had assumed significance after India’s unilateral and illegal steps of Aug 5, 2019.

Qureshi referring to the recent UN’s adoption of OIC-backed resolution on Islamophobia, said that when the whole Ummah was united on any issue, the result had always been very fruitful. The whole world agreed to combat this issue and dedicated March 15 as a day to highlight it every year.

The foreign minister further said that foreign ministers from the member states of the OIC would also deliberate over the Afghan issue as the country was facing serious humanitarian and economic crises

Other global challenges like economic contraction and its fallout, and climate change, etc. would also come under consideration, he added.

The foreign minister further said that more than 100 resolutions would be considered during the two-day session.

He expressed the confidence that the member states would develop consensus and a comprehensive way forward after their consultation to address all the issues.

Qureshi said during the extraordinary session of OIC-CFM, Pakistan had highlighted the situation in Afghanistan, and in the upcoming meeting, it would highlight the Kashmir issue once again, urging the world that it could no longer neglect the grave situation there.

He said the OIC-CFM would hold deliberations to fully utilize the available resources for the unity, progress and prosperity of the ummah.

He said the OIC-CFM meeting would be a unique occasion for the whole nation as it would coincide with Pakistan’s Day celebrations.

Qureshi further informed that they had invited the worthy guests to attend Pakistan’s Day parade and witness the professional capability of Pakistan armed forces and the traditional floats of all the provinces, reflecting the national unity.

He also expressed gratitude to the information minister and efforts of the ministry and its cooperation.

He expressed that the anthem had revived the old memories and sentiments of the people.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the anthem was authored by eminent poet Jameel-ud-din Aali over the old theme of OIC and composed with the help of the latest technology. The anthem signified theme of the unity among the Muslim Ummah and was influenced with the verses of the Holy Quran.

Meanwhile, Pakistan strongly rejects the statement by the Spokesperson of Indian Ministry of External Affairs containing baseless objection to the invitation extended by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to the Kashmiri leadership for the 48th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in Islamabad from 22-23 March 2022.

India has no locus standi to claim the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir as its “internal matter”. Numerous resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Jammu and Kashmir dispute declare that the final disposition of the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people to be expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite to be held under the auspices of the United Nations.

India’s repeated assertions to the contrary cannot obfuscate the reality of its illegal occupation and repression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination is a principle enshrined in the UN Charter. UNSC and OIC have recognized this right for the people of Jammu and Kashmir who have been subjugated to illegal Indian occupation since 1947.

Accordingly, OIC has consistently supported the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination, and has traditionally invited the Kashmiri leadership to attend the OIC meetings.

Pakistan calls upon India not to create hurdles in the participation of the true representatives of the Kashmiri people in the 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad on 22-23 March 2022.

Instead of questioning OIC’s principled stance for the dignity and liberty of the oppressed Kashmiri people, India should reflect inwards and end its repression and widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in IIOJK, and let the Kashmiri people exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.