Pakistan hails OIC’s reaction to Kashmir residency law

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has welcomed the Organisation of the Islamic Conference’s (OIC) rejection of a new domicile law imposed by the Indian government in occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoK).

FO spokesperson Aisha Farooqui in a tweet said, “Pakistan welcomes OIC statement strongly condemning and rejecting Indian government’s illegal actions to redefine domicile rules to change IoJ&K demographic, and terms it settlement colonialism against OIC, UNSC resolutions, 4th Geneva Convention, [and] international humanitarian laws.”

#Pakistan welcomes @OIC_IPHRC statement, strongly condemning & rejecting Indian Govt’s illegal actions to redefine domicile rules to alter IoJ&K demographic & terms it ‘Settlement Colonialism’ against @OIC_OCI,UNSC resolutions,4th GENCONV, int’l human rights/humanitarian law.1/2 pic.twitter.com/WJdGywwt1C

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 20, 2020

The controversial law, notified by Indian authorities, prescribes the procedure for issuance of a domicile certificate, which is a compulsory requirement for seeking jobs in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the new law, eligible non-locals, along with people who have lived in occupied Kashmir for 15 years or studied there for seven years and appeared in class 10 or 12 examinations in a local school, can apply for the certificate.

In an official statement, the OIC said it had been following with deep concern the “unilateral” scrapping of the valley’s longstanding special status in August 2019, and subsequent steps to change the demographics of and undermine the rights of the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the statement, the OIC’s general secretariat reaffirmed the importance of complying with international law and UNSC resolutions.

“Considering the recent notification of Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules 2020 as “baseless, running counter to international law and UN Security Council resolution 122”.

Recalling the Islamic Summits’ and the Council of Foreign Ministers’ resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, the organisation reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

It also called on the international community to gear up its efforts to resolve the dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.