PR. No.182/2008

Date: 18/06/2008   

STATEMENT BY

H.E. MAKHDOOM SHAH MAHMOOD QURESHI

FOREIGN MINISTER OF PAKISTAN

IN

THE OIC CONTACT GROUP

ON JAMMU AND KASHMIR

35 TH CFM

KAMPALA , REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

18 JUNE 2008

Excellency Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu

Excellencies,

Distinguished True Representatives of the Kashmiri people,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a matter of great honour for me to address this meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir .

I am grateful to all of you for your participation in the meeting. Your presence here is a manifestation of the solidarity of Muslim world with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle to achieve their right to self-determination. The support of the Muslim Ummah is greatly valued by the Kashmiri people.

I would like to express our gratitude to the Honourable Secretary General for his continued support to the Kashmiri cause.

I would also like to place on record our appreciation for the efforts of Secretary General's Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir , Ambassador Ezzat Kamel Mufti. The substantive recommendations made in the report of his mission to Azad Kashmir and Pakistan last year require expeditious implementation.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The world around us has changed from what it was sixty years ago. Today we all cherish the freedoms we have; freedom of expression, freedom of movement, freedom to elect and run our own institutions. In contrast, Kashmiris continue to demand their basic right to self-determination–a right promised to them by the international community in the form of UN Security Council resolutions. The international community must redeem its promise to the Kashmiri people, who have steadfastly continued their struggle.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

For its part, Pakistan remains firmly committed to the moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir in their just struggle. We have always underscored the imperative of a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue to amicably resolve this dispute. We have repeatedly stated that accommodation and flexibility is the only way to find a durable and peaceful solution to this long festering dispute.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The ongoing peace process between Pakistan and India offers an opportunity to achieve a just settlement of the Kashmir issue. We have maintained all along in our interaction with the Indian leadership that Kashmiris should be an integral component of the dialogue process. Our endeavours are rooted in the belief that Kashmiris must be the principal beneficiaries of the outcome of the bilateral peace process.

In order to alleviate sufferings of the Kashmiri people, we have initiated a number of Kashmir-related CBMs over the last three years. The ceasefire being upheld since November 2003 has provided the Kashmiris across the LoC an opportunity to lead normal lives. Likewise, the bus services and the crossing points across the LoC are aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of the divided families.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a matter of deep concern for us that the widespread violations of human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir have continued. The violations are a direct result of massive presence of Indian security forces in the occupied Kashmir , armed with draconian laws. These violations have been extensively documented by important international human rights organizations. Pakistan reiterates its call for immediate and complete cessation of all forms of human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir . We hope and expect that the Indian leadership will demonstrate the required spirit of accommodation.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Pakistan and India are at the defining moment of history. There is an imperative need to end the legacy of hostility and distrust and to work towards a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Given sincerity, flexibility and courage, the objective of lasting peace is within reach. Pakistan will continue its efforts to support the Kashmir cause through peaceful political means. I would like to assure my Kashmiri brethren that together we shall work for the achievement and fulfilment of this just and principled cause. To this end, the support of OIC and its members is a source of great strength for the oppressed people of Kashmir .

In conclusion, I would like to thank you all for your continued support to the Kashmir cause.

Islamabad

18 June 2008