ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday met with Islamabad-based OIC envoys to thank them for the OIC's strong and unequivocal support during the 47th CFM Session in Niamey. During the meeting, the Foreign Office said that Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined that the unanimous adoption of a strong and comprehensive resolution on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, explicit reiteration of the OIC's principled position in the Niamey Declaration, and presentation of the report on the visit of the Secretary General's Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and the AJK reaffirmed the centrality of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute for the OIC and Muslim Ummah.

The foreign minister also thanked the OIC countries for their support in adoption of other resolutions of importance to Pakistan, including: Safeguarding the rights of Muslim minorities in non-OIC states and destruction of Babri Masjid and protection of Islamic holy places.

He also expressed gratitude for the adoption of the Pakistan-sponsored resolution on combating Islamophobia. The foreign minister added that Pakistan looked forward to hosting the 48th Session of CFM in 2021. He underscored that as prospective CFM chair and member of the Executive Committee, Pakistan would constructively engage with the entire OIC membership to promote unity, peace and prosperity among the Muslim Ummah.

President AJK Sardar Masood Khan thanked the OIC for its consistent support for the Kashmir cause and solidarity in the wake of the grave situation in the IIOJK. The OIC is the second-largest inter-governmental organisation after the United Nations with 57 members and five observer states, spanning over four continents.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020