Saira Imran The latest Kashmir OIC meeting took place in New York during the UN General Assembly. Member states raised serious concerns over the worsening situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir. The OIC Contact Group reviewed the political and security conditions in the valley. They also studied reports of human rights violations and the group once again called for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute.
High-Level Gathering of OIC Members
The Kashmir OIC meeting was chaired by the OIC Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs. Representatives from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Niger, and Azerbaijan attended, along with a special delegation representing the Kashmiri people.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the group examined political instability in Indian-occupied Kashmir. They also looked at security challenges and human rights abuses. Kashmiri representatives joined the session. Their presence gave the meeting a stronger voice. They highlighted the daily struggles of people living under military control.
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Pakistan Urges OIC to Press for Action
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi, represented Pakistan at the Kashmir OIC meeting. He condemned India’s attempts to consolidate its illegal control in Kashmir by enforcing oppressive laws, applying force, and introducing demographic changes.
Fatemi stressed that sustainable peace in South Asia depends on resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He urged the OIC to increase pressure on India to end its repression, release political prisoners, and respect international human rights standards.
While thanking the OIC and member countries for their consistent support, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance:
- Pakistan will continue to provide political, moral, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people.
- The right to self-determination remains central to peace and stability in the region.
OIC Condemns Indian Actions
During the Kashmir OIC meeting, member states strongly criticized the ongoing crackdown in the valley. They condemned:
- The arrest of thousands of political workers and human rights defenders.
- Restrictions on religious gatherings at Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid and Eidgah.
- Irresponsible statements by Indian leaders that threaten regional peace.
The OIC also rejected India’s August 5, 2019 measures, including the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and attempts at demographic changes. The organization clearly stated that elections in occupied Kashmir cannot replace the right to self-determination guaranteed under international law.
Peace Linked to Kashmir Resolution
The Kashmir OIC meeting welcomed the recent ceasefire along the Line of Control and appreciated mediation efforts aimed at reducing tensions. However, OIC members noted that incidents following the Pahalgam attack showed that peace in the region is impossible without addressing the Kashmir dispute.
By linking regional stability to a just settlement of Kashmir, the OIC emphasized the urgent need for constructive international efforts.
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Support for OIC Special Envoy’s Visit
The OIC also welcomed the visit of the Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The envoy’s meetings and observations will help strengthen the international community’s understanding of the crisis and keep the issue on the global agenda.
A Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The Kashmir OIC meeting echoed concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation in the valley. Reports of arbitrary arrests, restrictions on free speech, and bans on religious practices have intensified global calls for India to respect basic human rights.
Human rights organizations and Kashmiri groups continue to highlight that residents face limited access to justice, suppressed voices, and ongoing military presence. The OIC stressed that such measures only deepen mistrust and prolong the conflict.
No Peace Without Resolving the Kashmir Dispute
The Kashmir OIC meeting once again drew global attention to the plight of Kashmiris. It underlined that South Asia cannot see peace without solving the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to support the Kashmiri cause. OIC members stood united against human rights violations. The call for a fair and lasting solution grew stronger.
