United Nations: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, urged the Security Council to implement Resolution 2334 and called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, warning that the humanitarian crisis there is “uncontrollable” and that history will record the world’s response.
Speaking at a Council meeting on the Middle East and implementation of Resolution 2334, Ambassador Asim described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “the most heart‑wrenching catastrophe of our time.”
Pakistan termed President Trump's efforts as a constructive step towards promoting peace.
The peace efforts were prepared with the cooperation of the OIC and Arab countries," said Asim Iftikhar.
"Pakistan will actively participate in this consultative process," stated the Pakistani permanent representative.
He told members that, according to figures he cited, some 66,000 Palestinians have been killed — “the majority women and children” — and said continued bombardment, deliberate starvation and destruction of civilian infrastructure are producing devastating suffering.
“As the violence continues, nearly one million people face the prospect of displacement,” he said, warning that ongoing military operations risk creating mass homelessness across Gaza. He demanded an immediate end to the blockade so that humanitarian assistance can be delivered without obstruction, the release of hostages and Palestinian detainees, and an end to forced displacement. He also called for a halt to annexation and other unilateral measures in the West Bank.
Ambassador Asim strongly condemned plans for the Israeli settlement project known as E1, calling it “a direct attack on the two‑state solution” and an attempt to sever East Jerusalem from the rest of Palestine and destroy the territorial contiguity of the West Bank. “This is a blatant violation of international law and of Resolution 2334,” he said.
On the political front, Pakistan welcomed diplomatic efforts — including initiatives led by the United States and regional partners — as potential opportunities to restore Palestinian dignity and open new avenues for peace.
At the same time, Asim stressed that any outcome must be Palestinian‑owned and conform to UN resolutions and international law: “Every final arrangement must ultimately rest on the full ownership of the Palestinian people and be consistent with UN resolutions and international legality.”
He urged the Security Council to adopt a concrete, time‑bound plan for enforcing Resolution 2334, reiterating Pakistan’s call for the immediate launch of a credible, irreversible political process that culminates in the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state with al‑Quds al‑Sharif (Jerusalem) as its capital.
Ambassador Asim also warned that the credibility of the multilateral system depends on action, not rhetoric. “If the Council cannot secure implementation of its own resolutions, its standing will be at risk,” he said.
Concluding his address, Pakistan’s permanent representative reaffirmed Islamabad’s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and said Pakistan will remain actively engaged in consultative processes aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.
