OIC backs Pakistan over Kashmir issue: Report

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has said it backs Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir and believes that there is a need to put "pressure" on India on the issue of alleged human rights violations there, according to a media report.
The OIC Secretary-General, Yousaf Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, who arrived in Islamabad yesterday, held talks with Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.
Radio Pakistan reported that the two leaders said there was hundred per cent unanimity of views on all issues facing the Muslim Ummah (community) and the way forward.
The OIC Secretary-General said his organisation has same position as that of Pakistan on the issues of Kashmir, Palestine, Islamophobia and plight of Muslim communities in non-Muslim nations.

"Kashmir has always been on top of the agenda of OIC," the OIC Secretary-General said in response to a question during a joint press conference.
He said the OIC has been urging India to provide access to Kashmir but unfortunately India has declined to accede to the request.

He said India also opposed visit of an OIC Human Rights Commission to Kashmir.
The OIC Secretary-General said despite denial by India, "we should keep pressure on New Delhi on the issue of human rights violations in Kashmir and peaceful resolution of the dispute."
India maintains that OIC, a grouping of 57 Muslim countries, has no locus standi on the Kashmir issue.

Othaimeen thanked Pakistan for supporting programmes and causes espoused by OIC and said the two sides discussed holding of the upcoming summit of OIC on Science and Technology.
He said the OIC condemns all terrorist acts in Pakistan or any other country. He said terrorism is terrorism and it has no race or religion.
"We condemn terrorism no matter where it happens in the world as Islamic is religion of peace and co-existence," he said.
The OIC Secretary-General said the two sides have vowed to work closely on all issues facing the ummah.
Aziz thanked the OIC and the Muslim countries for their consistent support on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

"We agreed to work together to combat Islamophobia and hatred against Muslims and formulate joint Islamic action against publication of blasphemous material including on social media," Aziz said.