2024-05-04 16:11:15
Banjul: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has accused India of human rights violations in Kashmir. He has also expressed concern over the increasing Islamophobia in the world. Dar said these things during his address at the preparatory meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers for the 15th Islamic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Banjul, the capital of the African country Gambia on Thursday. Dar alleged that India is oppressing the common people of Kashmir and Kashmiris are being denied the right to self-determination.
Ishaq Dar told the OIC Secretary General that he wanted the world’s attention to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and human rights violations by Indian security forces there. Dar said, ‘OIC has a historic role in supporting the just struggle of the Kashmiri people. The role of the OIC Contact Group on Kashmir, the Special Envoy on Kashmir and the OIC’s regular monitoring of the human rights situation have been commendable. In such a situation, on this occasion the OIC Secretary General has also confirmed the OIC’s support for the Kashmiri people and their legitimate right to self-determination.
Also raised the issue of fighting in Gaza
Ishar Dar shared Pakistan’s serious concerns about rising Islamophobia at the meeting, saying that the increasing incidents of discrimination, violence and incitement against Muslims around the world show that this problem is becoming bigger. Dar stressed the imperative of joint action to combat Islamophobia. He said that Israel’s attack against Palestine has also increased Islamophobia and xenophobia in the world.
The Pak Foreign Minister also expressed concern over the ongoing Israeli attacks and grave humanitarian situation in Gaza. Clarifying Pakistan’s position, he said that Israel’s complete withdrawal from all occupied territories including Jerusalem, restoration of the rights of the Palestinian people and the right of return to their land.