ISLAMABAD: Following a rushed presidential decree in Indian Parliament that revoked special autonomy granted to disputed Jammu and Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke to leaders of the Arab world and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation via telephone, to garner support for the cause of Muslim majority Kashmir.
Created during the Cold War in 1969, the OIC supported Pakistan against Soviet-aligned India on the issue of Kashmir, and continued to advocate for Kashmir’s right to self-determination after the war ended, which was seen as an illustration of the organizations’ outright support for Pakistan.
On Thursday, following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, Saudi Arabia called on all concerned parties in the region to maintain peace through dialogue, in accordance with relevant international resolutions.
In 1994, Saudi Arabia co-sponsored a Pakistani resolution on Kashmir at the UN Commission on Human Rights.
On Friday, PM Khan also made a telephone call to King Hamad bin Isa of Bahrain to discuss developments in Kashmir, where a strict curfew has been imposed. That same day, reports emerged of a 10,000 strong protest in Kashmir’s main city, Srinagar, with Indian forces using tear gas and pellets to fight the protesters according to a Reuters report.
A statement issued by the UAE’s ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation on Thursday, said the UAE hoped India and Pakistan would resolve the crisis through constructive communication.
The Hindu right-wing Bharatya Janata Party (BJP) which returned to power earlier this year in the Indian general elections, has long called for the abolishment of special legal status to Kashmir and the repeal of a constitutional article in place to protect its Muslim majority demographic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made the revocation a rallying point in his re-election campaign.
Since the shock move, Pakistan has downgraded diplomatic ties with India, expelled the Indian envoy and suspended bilateral trade.
PM Imran Khan rallies support for Kashmir among Arab leaders, OIC
PM Imran Khan rallies support for Kashmir among Arab leaders, OIC
- All leaders have urged restraint and dialogue
- Since its creation in 1969, the OIC has supported Kashmir’s right to self-determination
