OIC foreign ministers to meet in Islamabad on rights violation in IoK

Photo: File

RIYADH: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is expected to hold a meeting on the ongoing human rights violations by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir and enactment of an anti-Muslim law in India, local media reported on Saturday.

According to the report, the ministerial level OIC moot will most probably be held in Islamabad in April of next year.

The news came after Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud’s last week concluded his maiden visit to the country during which he extended Riyadh’s “steadfast support to Pakistan’s core national interests” including the OIC’s greater role in the Kashmir dispute.

The visit had come after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government had been criticised for skipping the Kuala Lumpur Summit due to pressure from Riyadh. 

Islamabad had defended its decision to pull out of the summit saying that it wanted to maintain “neutrality” and play the role of a bridge in the Muslim world.

The report further claimed that the OIC in its official communique will specifically mention the human rights violation in Indian occupied Kashmir and the passage of Citizenship Amendment Act.

At least 25 people have been killed since the protests began earlier this month against the citizenship legislation, which makes it easier for members of religious minorities from India’s Muslim-majority neighbours – Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan – who settled in India before 2015 get citizenship but does not offer the same concession to Muslims.