ISLAMABAD: A high-ranking delegation of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is said to be visiting both Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) from 27 to 29 March.
The delegation of OIC would be led by IPHRC Chairperson Med S Kaggwa.
The purpose of the delegation is to gain firsthand understanding of the dispute going on in Jammu Kashmir. The delegation will also visit camps for refugees from the Indian Held Kashmir (IHK).
The delegation will also call on Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan affairs minister. The IPHRC delegation will also call on the AJK president and prime minister.
The IPHRC requested Indian authorities for access to IHK to assess human rights situation. However, India has not yet responded to IPHRC’s request. Last year, in the wake of Indian brutalities, UN high commissioner for human rights offered to send a fact-finding mission to IHK. He requested ‘full and unhindered access to the affected population, to interview a variety of individuals on the ground, including victims, witnesses, security forces and with access to relevant documentation’ to ascertain situation which has been worsening since July 2016. This request was also denied by India.
