Islamabad: Pakistan has called for an end to the "systematic" and "organised" violence directed at Myanmar’s Rohingya minority.
Islamabad said it would take up the issue at the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and the United Nations, to urge the international community to halt the massacre of Rohingya, and appeal to neighbouring countries to provide shelter to fleeing Muslims and set up special funds.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif expressed his “deep anguish at the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar” and condemned the violence.
Host
Pakistan is one of the biggest hosts of Rohingya Muslims, with more than 350,000 Rohingyas living in the country.
Many politicians including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Siraj-ul-Haq and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the violence.
Terming the crisis a “planned cleansing of Muslims”, Sharif said “The persecution of Muslims in Myanmar represents the most ruthless genocide of a minority community.”
Genocide
The president of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), Asif Ali Zardari, warned that “The genocide and massacre of Muslims in Myanmar will only widen the space for militants.”
Politicians also submitted several resolutions in the Senate and provincial assemblies against the persecution of Rohingya Muslims which demanded that the Nobel Peace Prize be taken back from Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi for her for failure to stop violence.
Pakistan’s Nobel laureate also criticised Suu Kyi.
“I have repeatedly condemned this tragic and shameful treatment,” Malala wrote. “I am still waiting for my fellow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to do the same. The world is waiting and the Rohingya Muslims are waiting.”
Meanwhile, Pakistani real estate tycoon and philanthropist Malek Riaz has offered aid of Rs1 billion (Dh34.85 million) to assist displaced Rohingya people.
