ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi contacted the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Secretary General Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen on Thursday to discuss Islamophobia and rights violations in Indian-administered Kashmir.

According to an official handout circulated by the foreign office of Pakistan, Qureshi said that his country was one of the founding members of the OIC and considered it to be an important platform to address the challenges faced by the Muslim world.

He expressed deep concern over the rising trend of Islamophobia in different parts of the world.

"The foreign minister noted the rise in incidents of Islamophobia and hate speech against Muslims, including desecration of the Holy Quran and reprinting of caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), which had seriously hurt the sentiments of Muslims around the world," said the official statement. "He highlighted the importance of collective endeavors to combat the scourge of Islamophobia."

Qureshi also maintained that India had not only become a threat to the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir but also to the rest of the region due to its aggressive policies.

He reiterated his administration's concern that India was trying to bring about a demographic change in Kashmir by introducing the new domicile law.

"The foreign minister stated that besides continued lockdown, military siege and communications blackout for over one year, occupation forces have intensified repression of the Kashmiri population through extra-judicial killings in fake 'encounters' and 'collective punishment' for Kashmiri communities and neighborhoods," the statement added.

He also appreciated the OIC's consistent support to Pakistan over the Kashmir dispute.

The two officials agreed to remain in touch regarding matters related to the OIC and the Muslim Ummah.