In his address to the virtual meeting of Contact Group of Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) on Jammu and Kashmir, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Quershi urged that member countries of the organisation to step up efforts for achieving lasting solution of the Kashmir dispute. The Foreign Minister emphasised for a proactive diplomacy by OIC to persuade India to restore the pre-August 5 special constitutional status of Indian held Kashmir, stop the atrocities being perpetrated on Kashmiri Muslims and implement the relevant UNSC resolutions for holding UN sponsored plebiscite. He also sensitised the group to lend support for actively raising the core issue of Kashmir at international forums. The meeting of Contact Group renewed its commitment for the peaceful resolution of this dispute. The role of OIC on Kashmir dispute has never been an active one. Since the start of Kashmiri Intifada in 1989, serious concern has not been shown on human rights violations in the occupied Kashmir. Likewise, after the revocation of Article 370 of Indian Constitution on August 5 to abolish its special status, the diplomatic response by all OIC member countries was not encouraging, except Turkey and Malaysia. These two countries gave strong and open support to Pakistan’s stance in the aftermath of August 5 actions of Narendra Modi government. The oil rich Arab Countries, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran have deep trade relations with India. Saudi Arabia and UAE have plans of huge investment there. Hence, their economic interest takes precedence over lending diplomatic support to Pakistan on Kashmir. The reluctance shown for calling a special OIC meeting on Kashmir amply explains it. In February, Pakistan had made a request for holdig an immediate OIC meeting on Lockdown imposed in the Indian held Kashmir and human rights violations such as extra-judicial killing of Kashmir youth and detention of Kashmir leaders. The move fizzled out due to reluctance shown by Saudi Arabia for convening such a meeting. However, symbolic meetings of the Contact Group did take place at the UN. Hurriate leader Syed Ali Gailani had complained against this attitude of leaders of Islamic countries in SOS like tweet. Since the annulment of special status of occupied Kashmir on August 5, the present government has embarked upon a proactive and sustained diplomacy as reflected in two UN Security Council meetings.
