Opposition calls for boycott of OIC meeting for inviting India

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties in the National Assembly on Tuesday urged the government to boycott meeting of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for inviting Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The demand came hours after Indian fighter jets violated Pakistan's airspace across the Line of Control.

Speaking on the floor of the house, former foreign Minister Khawaja Asif strongly opposed Pakistan's participation in the OIC meeting.

Former Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said OIC has invited Indian minister as guest of honor despite the fact that India has been persecuting Kashmiris for the last 50 years. 

"How can it be allowed to happen. How can an Organization which is Islamic can invite such a country".

He said Pakistan should make efforts on diplomatic fronts to prevent OIC from inviting India. 

"And If the host insists on inviting India, Pakistan should boycott such a meeting where murderer of several generations of Kashmiris is invited.

Former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq said "we should send our delegations to OIC member countries. "OIC has no powers to invite a country without consent of its members".

He said Pakistan should not attend OIC meeting. 

JUI-F leader Maulana Assad Mehmood also agreed with the PMLN leaders saying Pakistan should raise the issue with OIC and opt to boycott if its demand is not accepted.