Pakistan-India crisis: role of OIC

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states spread over four continents. There are around 2 billion Muslims in the world almost one out of every sixth person is Muslim. Muslim world is rich in natural resources, especially oil and gas. But as the Muslim world is not united and politically not strong, that is why, Muslims are oppressed everywhere in the world. During last three decades, almost 2 million Muslims were killed and approximately 6 million were forced to leave their houses to take refuse in foreign countries or internal displaced in their own country. The Muslim world is facing multiple and very complex challenges, in spite of having rich natural resources as well as human resources.
The Organization was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 25 September 1969, following the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.

The Organization is the collective voice of the Muslim world. It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.

OIC is holding Summits and Conferences on regular basis, in addition to urgent meeting to discussing any abnormal situation.
At the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Abu Dhabi, on Saturday, 2 March 2019, in the background of Pakistan-India crisis, OIC passed a resolution as below:

“Reacting to India's violation of the line of control between Pakistan and India, the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned this action against an OIC founding member state.

The OIC condemned the Indian incursion and aerial violation and dropping of four bombs today, 26 February 2019. It urged India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and avoid any steps that would endanger peace and security in the region. It called upon both parties to act responsibly and encouraged them to seek peaceful solution to current crisis without resort to use of force. It also called on them to embrace dialogue and work towards de-escalation of current situation as a matter of priority.”
Pakistan is a founding member of OIC and has been playing active role in protecting the interests of Muslim world. OIC’s support for Pakistan is very significant and Pakistan values its support very high. Muslims are for “Peace” and wrongly blamed for terrorism. Pakistan has emerged as symbol of “Peace” while India’s war-craze has been exposed to the rest of world.

India has tried to coerce Pakistan and openly violated the UN charter and all norms of civilized world. But, Pakistan being a mature and responsible state has observed patience and succeeded in avoiding a full-scale war. Pakistan is peace-loving nation and understands the consequences of war. In fact, last four decades, Pakistan has suffered a lot, due to war-like situation in enamoring Afghanistan. Pakistan has sacrificed 80,000 lives, economic loss worth 250 billion, and unlimited loss in emotions and intangible form. We cannot afford any other war. We wanted Peace, stability and economic prosperity.
Although, India wanted a war imposed on us, but we would like to avoid. Especially, as both, Pakistan and India are nuclear states and any mis-adventure by India may cost heavy loss to humanity. In spite of the fact, Pakistan is capable of defending its territory and it is obligation to defend one’s country. But we observed restrained and averted the humanity from a big disaster. Pakistan has returned the captured pilot of Indian air force, who has intruded Pakistan. Such a good-will gesture are rarely happened in the history.

Pakistan’s visionary leadership has saved the humanity. Whole world has appreciated Pakistan for its patience and matured behavior. It is time for all the peace-loving nations and individuals to play their role to save humanity from any big loss. Pakistan will be partner of any peace initiative anywhere any time. OIC and the whole Muslim World is on the same page “Peace”

Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomate), Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.