Ishaq Dar urges peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue at OIC meeting

Istanbul (Web Desk): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, while addressing the meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir in Istanbul, stated that the people of Kashmir have endured decades of Indian oppression and continue to face severe human rights violations.

He said that the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir remains grave, with civilians denied their basic freedoms. He also drew parallels with the Palestinian people, who, like the Kashmiris, are struggling for their fundamental rights.

Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination and called for a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Referring to the recent incident in Pahalgam, he said India hastily blamed Pakistan without any investigation, whereas Pakistan offered transparent, internationally supervised inquiries.

He condemned India’s response, which involved targeting civilian populations across the border, resulting in the martyrdom of women and children. He added that Pakistan exercised restraint and only targeted Indian military installations in retaliation.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that lasting peace in South Asia hinges on the resolution of the Kashmir conflict. He warned that India’s irresponsible actions are threatening the stability of the entire region.