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Mr. Chairman,
Honourable Secretary General,
Excellencies and Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister of Kuwait on the assumption of OIC chair. Excellency, I assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation in facilitating your work.
I would also like to convey our sincere appreciation to His Excellency Mr. Iyad Madani, Secretary General of the OIC, for his contribution towards strengthening the Organization and enhancing its stature in the International community.
OIC provides a very important platform for addressing the legitimate causes of the Muslim Ummah. As the Chairman just reminded, our current priorities include the longstanding issue of Palestine, dispute of Jammu & Kashmir, Cyprus, Nagorno-Karabakh, Rohingyas, Islamophobia and the rights of Muslim minorities in non-OIC countries. As the Secretary General pointed out, we need better coordination on all these issues.
Pakistan will continue to contribute actively towards building and strengthening of various institutions of the Organization.
Mr. Chairman,
We reaffirm our strong support to the steadfast and determined struggle of the people of Palestine against Israeli aggression to recover their occupied territories, including Gaza Strip, the West Bank and City of Al-Quds; and condemn the continued Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan and the Lebanese lands as well as Israeli aggression and hostile attitude against civilian population.
The Israeli attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque complex a few days ago is deplorable. We urge the United Nations to act against Israel’s breach of Al-Aqsa Mosque. We welcome the comprehensive resolution on this subject adopted by the Extraordinary Meeting on Al-Quds this morning.
The offer by the Government of Morocco to host an Emergency Summit of OIC countries on the situation in Palestine, on the request of President Mahmoud Abbas, is commendable.
Pakistan also welcomes the adoption of UN Resolution at General Assembly on 10 September 2015, calling for flying the flag of Palestine at United Nations buildings and offices, wherever they exist.
Mr. Chairman,
The dispute of Jammu and Kashmir is among the oldest unresolved issues at the UN forum. The denial of right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir continues to stain the collective conscience of the international community.
The international community must impress upon India to end repression in Kashmir, since viable solution of the dispute lies in dialogue and engagement rather than victimization of innocent Kashmiris.
We believe that any political process or elections held under foreign occupation and heavy military presence cannot be a substitute to the right of self-determination by the people of Kashmir.
In this regard, we recall OIC resolutions condemning the continued massive violations of human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir; and record our appreciation for the commendable work of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir.
Mr. Chairman,
We deeply value our abiding relationship with the fraternal Afghan people. Consistent with our vision of a “peaceful neighbourhood”, we place a special emphasis on building cooperative and constructive ties with Afghanistan.
Pakistan has time and again reiterated its support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process in the country. As co-chair, Pakistan will host the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process this year.
Mr. Chairman,
We support all international efforts aimed at facilitating a Syrian-led and inclusive solution, according to the aspirations of the people of Syria through a comprehensive political dialogue involving the entire spectrum of the Syrian polity.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan supports the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen and welcomes the UN Security Council Resolution (2216) on the situation in Yemen adopted in April this year.
We welcome the work of the recently formed OIC contact Group on Yemen and ensure our continued support to peace and stability in the country.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan has been actively involved in countering terrorism more than any other country of the world. During the last two years, our counter-terrorism strategy has become more effective as it has a combination of military, administrative and political measures.
The comprehensive law-enforcement action “Zarb-e-Azab” against the terrorists, in border areas with Afghanistan, is a testimony of our determination to root out terrorism.
Pakistan has always underscored the need for addressing the root causes of terrorism as part of any strategy to counter terrorism. We must stress upon the importance of de-radicalization as an effective means to address the root causes.
Mr. Chairman,
We welcome the efforts of Secretary General Mr. Madani in the formulation of a joint Strategy and Plan of Action to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
We also welcome the outcome of special brainstorming session on “Effective Strategy to Combat Terrorism, Violent Extremism and Islamophobia” conducted during the 42nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Kuwait in May this year.
Mr. Chairman,
We are concerned at the increasing acts of intolerance, xenophobia and religious or racial profiling, particularly against Islam and Muslims. It is the collective responsibility of Islamic countries to make efforts towards propagating the fundamental Islamic values of moderation and tolerance as a part of an effective counter-narrative.
Mr. Chairman,
Pakistan will support the action plans proposed in the draft Ten Year Programme of Action (2016-2025), which is a commendable effort of OIC Secretary General, to elaborate and pursue a multi-dimensional development agenda at the OIC platform.
Let me conclude by reiterating our support for the OIC which provides an important forum for Muslim leadership to discuss vital issues of interest to the Muslim world and to work for the resolution of conflicts and disputes involving Member States.
Thank you, Excellencies.