ISLAMABAD: The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) is in agreement with Pakistan over the peaceful resolution to the decades-old Kashmir dispute, Secretary-General of the Muslim bloc Dr Yusuf Ahmad Al-Othaimeen said on Monday. Addressing a joint press conference alongside Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Dr Al-Othaimeen said the Kashmir issue was at the top of the OIC’s agenda. He said it was unfortunate that India had denied a request from the OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission to visit India-held Kashmir in order to assess the situation there. “But we should keep the pressure on [the Indian government] every time the occasion arises,” he said, adding that the OIC also desired a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue. Condemning all terrorist acts in Pakistan or in any other country, he said that terrorism has no race or religion and that Islam is a religion of peace and co-existence. Regarding the conflict in Syria, the secretary-general believed it has two dimensions; political and humanitarian. He said the OIC desires a political solution to the problem and is currently mobilizing support for refugees to alleviate their suffering. Due to the ongoing war in Syria, some five million people have taken refuge in different countries. The OIC also wants to initiate a dialogue with European countries on issues pertaining to Muslims living there as the organization is in a unique position to play the role of a bridge between Muslim communities and Western governments.
