NEW YORK, Sept 27: A ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) has reiterated its continued support to the Kashmiris in their struggle to achieve their right to self-determination and asked ‘India to reciprocate the constructive approach of Pakistan in order to give the peace process a renewed impetus’.

OIC Secretary-General Prof Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Foreign Minister of Turkey noted that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute continues to remain a priority for the organisation.

Speaking on the occasion, Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Riaz Muhammad Khan appreciated the support and solidarity of the OIC and Muslim Ummah with the Kashmir cause.

He informed the meeting about the latest efforts of the government of Pakistan for a meaningful, constructive and result-oriented dialogue with India for the resolution of the dispute, said a OIC press statement.

Mr Khan also elaborated the various Confidence Building Measures that had been initiated to raise the comfort level of the Kashmiri people. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance that the Kashmiri people must be associated with the peace process.

He stressed that a final settlement of the Kashmir dispute must be acceptable to all parties— Pakistan, India, and the Kashmiri people. He also expressed concern over the continued human rights violations in the Indian occupied Kashmir at the hands of the Indian security forces.

The deputy foreign minister of Saudi Arabia stressed the need to expeditiously resolve the long-standing dispute. Welcoming the ongoing bilateral dialogue, he expressed the hope that the dialogue would find a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute.

The permanent representative of Niger conveyed a message from his foreign minister expressing his country’s strong support for the Kashmiri people.

Speaking at the meeting, the president of Azad Kashmir appreciated the efforts of the OIC and its member states in supporting the freedom struggle. He strongly supported the various initiatives taken by Pakistan and urged India to positively respond as well as to end its human rights violations in the occupied Kashmir.

The meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir was held on the sidelines of the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York on 26 Sept, 2007.