Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar in the OIC Contact Group Meeting on Kashmir during 12th OIC Summit in Cairo. — Photo by INP

CAIRO: The Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that met here on the sidelines of the 12th Islamic Summit Conference reaffirmed its full support to Kashmir cause.

The meeting coinciding with the Kashmir Solidarity Day observed in Pakistan on Tuesday was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

On the occasion, Ms Khar said Pakistan sought resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. She said Pakistan wanted to have meaningful and result-oriented dialogue with India for resolution of the longstanding dispute.

She called for ending human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir and requested the OIC secretary general to compile a report on the violations.

Hosted by Egypt, the meeting was attended by top officials of the Contact Group from Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Niger. AJK President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan and All Parties Hurriyat Conference representative Ghulam Mohammad Safi were also invited to the conference.

Secretary General Ihsanoglu reaffirmed the OIC’s commitment and support for the people of Kashmir struggling for their right to self-determination, as enshrined in UN Security Council resolutions. He announced that a joint team, led by Special Representative of OIC Secretary General on Kashmir Ambassador Alim and comprising representatives from the Islamic Development Bank, Islamic Solidarity Fund and ISESCO, would soon visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir to assess the needs of Kashmiris and find practical and effective measures to help them.

Mr Ihsanoglu said the OIC intended to convene a meeting of Kashmiri representatives to discuss how the organisation’s role could be made more effective.

The representatives of Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Niger also reiterated their countries’ support for the people of Kashmir for their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN resolutions and their wishes.—APP

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