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Mr. Chairman,
Honourable Secretary General,
Excellencies and Distinguished Colleagues,
I would like to congratulate Kazakhstan for the able stewardship of our work.
We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Secretary General for enhancing the stature of the OIC in the International Community.
Mr. Chairman,
Today, the Muslim World is at a crossroads. It is faced with daunting and diverse challenges. At the same time, today’s changing world presents us with opportunities not only to overcome the challenges, but also march towards a better future. We must build synergies and develop cooperative mechanisms to seize the moment.
In this backdrop, the Fourth Extraordinary Islamic Summit held in the Holy City of Makkah Al-Mukarramah was timely. We need to take forward the commitments made to promote solidarity, development and cooperation among the Muslim world.
The continued plight of Palestinian people has been a major challenge to the conscience of international community. Pakistan supports an early resolution of the Arab-Israel conflict on the basis of a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN. We believe that the basic conditions for a durable solution in the Middle East must be: (i) Total withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Arab territories; and (ii) Realization of inalienable right of the Palestinian people to have a state of their own, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Mr. Chairman,
Kashmir remains the other oldest unresolved issue on the UN Security Council agenda and a source of constant conflict between Pakistan and India. Human rights violations and persecution of the Muslim majority remain rampant in Indian occupied Kashmir. Pakistan is fully committed to finding a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
The prospects of a lasting peace in South Asia are directly linked with a just and durable solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Pakistan believes that any resolution of the dispute must be acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We, therefore, fully endorse associating the true representatives of the Kashmiri people with the Pakistan-India dialogue on Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan and India have recently resumed the dialogue process. Our dialogue process is guided by the commitment of leadership of the two countries to find peaceful and mutually acceptable solutions to all outstanding issues including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
I appreciate OIC’s consistent support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for right to self-determination. We hope that the work of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Jammu and Kashmir will help bring greater substance to OIC’s efforts towards the cause.
Mr. Chairman,
The people of Pakistan and Muslims across the world are deeply hurt by a recent increase in the incidents of Islamophobia and defamation of Muslim Holy scriptures and personalities. We strongly condemn the recent release of the defamatory video, which is a pure act of advocacy of incitement to religious hatred, discrimination and violence against Muslims and their religion.
We believe this meeting can best express our feelings and views on this subject through a Ministerial Declaration. We have since proposed and circulated the text of such a declaration through the Chair to all Member States. We are confident that this Meeting will adopt it by consensus.
The international community at the UN has long been striving for the promotion of initiatives on interfaith harmony and cooperation. It is sad that despite such efforts, these Islamophobic acts continue with impunity. We, therefore, urge all Member States to take all measures including implementation of necessary policies and legislation against these acts in line with their obligations under international human rights law.
The international community needs to stand together to oppose proponents of hatred working under the garb of freedom of expression. We must promote universal respect for all religions as the religion should be used as a bridge, bringing nations closer, not as a wall separating them. Violence, however, cannot be justified or condoned.
Mr. Chairman,
We are concerned at the situation of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Pakistan endorses support to OIC’s decision to dispatch a Fact Finding Mission to Myanmar.
There is an urgent need to stop violence in Syria. There is also a need for political space to find a peaceful solution of the crisis by engaging all stakeholders. We must extend our full support to the efforts of the Joint Special Representative. The International Community must respect Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Pakistan is deeply concerned over the situation in Mali and supports all efforts for early restoration of Mali’s territorial integrity.
Mr. Chairman,
Today, terrorism is a major threat to peace and economic development, particularly in the Islamic world. We must fight terrorism, outlaw it and eliminate it. As a front line state against terrorism, Pakistan’s resolve to eradicate this menace is as strong as ever. Our sacrifices of thousands of military men and civilians are unparalleled. Our economy has been badly affected and terrorism has caused destruction of the vital infrastructure that supports it.
Trumped-up allegations of terrorism must not be used to de-legitimize just causes. Muslim people who are still under foreign occupation must be allowed in their struggle for freedom to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.
Mr. Chairman,
The UN as the only universally representative organization is an embodiment of our common aspirations for peace, economic development and human rights. May not be perfect - its still the best we have. Accordingly, there is a need for comprehensive reform of the Security Council to make it more democratic, effective, transparent and accountable. As the second largest inter-governmental organization, the OIC must play a pro-active role in the reform process and seek adequate representation in the reformed Security Council as laid down in numerous OIC resolutions.
Let me conclude by saying our strength lies in promoting cooperation, solidarity and a strong sense of Islamic unity. This is essential for our success, progress and prosperity.
I thank you.