ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister (FM) Khawaja Muhammad Asif has expressed deep anguish at the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims, who are a minority in Myanmar. He emphasised that the plight of the Rohingya was a challenge to the conscience of the international community.
In this context, the foreign minister supported OIC’s position condemning the renewed violence affecting the minority, resulting in thousands fleeing from their homes, coupled with the systematic and organised destruction of their villages and homes.
In a statement, the foreign minister supported the call by the OIC-IPHRC for immediate and effective actions to bring an end to all human-rights violations against the innocent and unarmed Rohingya minority.
Asif also supported recommendations of the Kofi Annan Commission, to address multiple issues, including citizenship, freedom of movement, internally displaced persons, unhindered humanitarian and media access, provision of education, health, and other development requirements as well as urgent and sustained action to prevent violence, maintain peace, foster reconciliation and offer a sense of hope to the Rohingya Muslims.
He also expressed concern over the spread of hate speech and incitement to violence, discrimination and prejudice against Muslims and members of national ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
He called for effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such violence, providing security to all and upholding the rights of each individual to live and move without fear and discrimination.
The foreign minister underscored Pakistan’s constant support for the oppressed Muslim populations, including in Indian occupied Kashmir, Palestine, and the Rohingya, saying that Pakistan supported the implementation of the resolution on the situation of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. The resolution, which was adopted by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers earlier this year, calls upon the OIC member states to alleviate the sufferings and hardships of the Rohingya minority by providing humanitarian assistance in the spirit of Islamic solidarity.
Pakistan is committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the persecuted minority to alleviate their sufferings, he added.
