Syed Mussarat Khalil
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — A photo exhibition and seminar entitled “Human Rights Violations Committed in the Indian Occupied Kashmir” to mark Kashmir Black Day was held at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretariat here on Monday.
Asif Hussain Memon, deputy consul general and acting press consul at Consulate General Pakistan, conducted the proceedings and welcomed high-level guests, representatives of the OIC along with Diplomatic Corps, distinguished members from Pakistani and Saudi community to the exhibition and seminar.
Memon stated that this is the third successive year the mission and OIC have jointly organized the exhibition and seminar on the Kashmir Issue.
Ambassador Abdul Rehman Abdullah Al-Alim, OIC assistant secretary general and secretary general’s special representative on Jammu and Kashmir, inaugurated the event on behalf OIC Secretary-General Iyad Ameen Madani.
Ambassador Abdullah Al-Alim expressed OIC’s full support to the people of Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for the fundamental right to self-determination.
He said that the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the OIC has established a monitoring mechanism to follow-up human rights violations in the region. He added that the OIC will continue to support the cause of Kashmir.
Chairman, Masood Ahmed Puri and members of Kashmir Committee (KC) Western Province of Saudi Arabia presented a copy of resolution to Ambassador Abdullah Al-Alim, calling on OIC to redouble its efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue.
Speaking on the occasion, the new Consul General of Pakistan Shehryar Akbar Khan said that the event was organized to express support to the people of Kashmir in their struggle for the right to self-determination.
He said that the event was organized in the memory of sacrifices given by the people of Kashmir against Indian occupation.
Ghulam Muhammad Safi, True Representative of Kashmiri People, briefed the audience on the prevailing situation and continued human rights violations by Indian forces.
He called on the international community and the OIC in particular to play its role so that Kashmiri people can enjoy their inherent right of self-determination.
Pakistan Ambassador Manzoor ul Haq expressed his gratitude to the missions in Jeddah and OIC for jointly organizing the event.
While thanking the OIC secretary general for promoting the cause of Kashmir at the international level, the ambassador stressed the need for early resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with Security Council and OIC resolutions.
