Islamabad: Pakistan has expressed its appreciation for the recent statements from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers and the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, which support the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. The affirmations came during meetings held in Cameron, where Pakistan was represented by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch discussed the outcomes of the OIC meetings during her weekly news briefing. She highlighted that the joint declaration issued afterwards reiterated the OIC’s solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and backed their right to self-determination. Furthermore, the OIC Contact Group called for an early and peaceful resolution of the dispute, respecting the relevant UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

In response to a question regarding the statement by India’s Minister for External Affairs on Jammu and Kashmir, Baloch emphasized that Pakistan maintains that the future of the region should be determined by its people through a UN-supervised plebiscite, as outlined in UN resolutions. She criticized unilateral statements claiming resolution of the dispute as inconsistent with international law and these resolutions.

Baloch also responded to remarks from Bangladeshi Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, underscoring Pakistan’s desire for strong, multifaceted relations with Bangladesh. She noted the significant goodwill between their peoples and expressed hope for flourishing bilateral ties which would enhance regional peace and the development of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The spokesperson also mentioned the upcoming 23rd meeting of the Ministers for Foreign Economic and Foreign Trade Activity of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, scheduled for September 12 in Islamabad. Pakistan, as the chair, has invited leaders from all SCO member countries to this annual meeting, which aims to promote economic cooperation within the SCO framework.