Farhan Qureshi 
A ministerial meeting of the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir was held on the Pakistan Kashmir issue on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting was attended by representatives of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Niger, providing Pakistan with an important diplomatic platform during the UNGA high-level week.
The OIC Secretary-General, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, reaffirmed the organisation’s declared support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. The OIC linked that position to relevant UN Security Council resolutions and principles of international law and also expressed humanitarian, human rights and security concerns related to the region.
Ishaq Dar Clarifies Pakistan’s Position On Jammu And Kashmir
Addressing the Contact Group, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Ishaq Dar called for continued coordination among OIC member states on Jammu and Kashmir at the international level. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a peaceful settlement based on the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the aspirations of Kashmiri people, the Foreign Ministry said.
Dar also pointed to what Pakistan calls restrictions on political and civic space in the disputed region. He expressed concern at attempts to change what he called the demographic, political and cultural character of Jammu and Kashmir, making the question of political participation and the status of the territory central to Pakistan’s diplomatic message.
OIC Reiterates Support For Self-Determination
The OIC Contact Group’s joint position reaffirmed its support for what the organisation refers to as the inalienable right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination. The OIC Secretary-General enunciated that principle within the framework of efforts toward what the organisation calls a just and lasting peace in South Asia.
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry version of the meeting also said the group expressed concern over the detention and denial of bail of several Kashmiri political figures. The statement also mentioned the wider humanitarian and security situation and urged the international community to pay more attention to the developments in the region.
Pakistan Ties Kashmir Diplomacy To Regional Stability
Pakistan’s position at the meeting also linked the Kashmir dispute to broader issues of peace and stability in South Asia. The Contact Group welcomed the ceasefire reached between Pakistan and India following the military escalation of May 2025 and appreciated the international efforts that contributed to bringing the two sides toward an agreement.
The group also called for restraint and against actions that could destabilise the region. Keeping diplomatic channels open and decreasing the likelihood of renewed military escalation continue to be important parts of the wider regional security environment for Pakistan, especially given the history of conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pakistan Intensifies Diplomatic Activity During UNGA Week
The Contact Group meeting was part of a broader Pakistani diplomatic program during the 81st UN General Assembly. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has said that Ishaq Dar’s ministerial-level engagements in New York include meetings with the OIC and other international and regional partners.
The General Assembly of the UN offers Pakistan an opportunity to directly communicate its positions to a broad spectrum of governments and to engage with multilateral organisations. Kashmir is one part of that broader agenda, along with regional security, economic cooperation, development and international diplomacy.
India Rejects OIC Mentions Of Jammu And Kashmir
India has rejected the OIC Contact Group’s references to Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that the issue is India’s internal matter. India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its position that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and said the OIC has no locus standi on matters it considers strictly internal.
Meanwhile, New Delhi said the references in the joint communique were unwarranted and factually incorrect. The Indian response challenged the OIC position and criticised what it called repeated endorsement of narratives on Jammu and Kashmir. These statements reflect India’s well-known position, which is quite distinct from the position expressed by Pakistan and the OIC Contact Group.
Kashmir Remains A Prominent Issue In Pakistan’s Multilateral Diplomacy
Jammu and Kashmir has been a constant in Pakistan’s foreign policy and diplomatic engagement with international organisations. Islamabad reiterated its position on the issue with the countries that are members of the Contact Group at the latest OIC meeting and linked the issue to broader issues of peace, security and international law.
The OIC’s decision to convene the Contact Group meeting during the UN General Assembly week further raises the issue’s profile at a major international diplomatic gathering. The organisation has also separately appealed for continued international attention to the ongoing humanitarian and human rights situation and for the Kashmir issue to be kept on the international agenda.
Pakistan Calls For Peaceful Resolution Of The Region
Pakistan’s message at the New York meeting was for a peaceful settlement and sustained international engagement. Dar’s statement referred to relevant Security Council resolutions and the principle of self-determination, while the Contact Group stressed the importance of regional stability and restraint.
The meeting also showed how Pakistan uses multilateral forums to convey its foreign policy priorities at times when there is heightened international focus. The Contact Group acted as a forum for joint discussions among the OIC member states. Senior representatives from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Niger attended the meeting.
