High level OIC delegation visits Azad Jammu and Kashmir

OIC Secretary General’s Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir, H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Alim is visiting Azad Jammu and Kashmir today. He is accompanied by a high level delegation from the OIC Secretariat, Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF), Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

The delegation called on the President and Prime Minister of AJK. AJK leadership appreciated the continued support of OIC for the oppressed people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation supported the struggle of the Kashmiri people for the right to self determination and assured that OIC would continue to voice concerns over the blatant human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). The delegation also expressed willingness of the OIC in sponsoring further development projects in AJK.

The representatives of All Parties Hurriyat Conference also met the OIC delegation and apprised them about the wide-spread indignation of the Kashmiri people towards Indian occupation in IOK. They stated that recent spate of violence against civilians by the Indian security forces in IOK must be checked by the OIC through a concerted effort. They also briefed about the incident of 12 April 2016 in which a young Kashmiri girl was assaulted by the Indian army personnel in Handwara, IOK. The Indian forces opened fire on the protestors killing at least five and injuring dozens of others. The APHC leaders also presented a Memorandum to the OIC’s Special Representative.

The delegation also visited the Line of Control at Chakothi. They were briefed about loss of civilian lives and property by repeated firings of the Indian forces. A briefing on cross-LoC travel and trade was also given. The representatives of United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) also met the delegation at Muzaffarabad.

The OIC delegation will also call on the President of Pakistan, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan and the Chairman and the Members of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir.

Islamabad.
09 May, 2016

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