UN: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has called for restraint, diplomacy, and adherence to international law amid escalating tensions across the Middle East, warning that the situation remains volatile and interconnected.
Addressing a UN Security Council debate, Ahmad stressed the need for urgent de-escalation, saying multiple crises in the region are deeply linked. He emphasized that the situation in Palestine remains central to regional stability and urged sustained international focus on the issue. On Gaza, he noted that while a ceasefire has provided some relief, it remains fragile with ongoing violations. He highlighted that humanitarian assistance is still insufficient and called for uninterrupted and expanded aid to the affected population.
The ambassador also raised concerns about the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, citing increasing settler violence and continued expansion of illegal settlements as serious violations of international law.
Referring to broader regional tensions, Ahmad warned of risks to global peace and economic stability, particularly due to disruptions in key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, which he said is impacting countries worldwide, including Pakistan. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for dialogue and diplomatic engagement, stressing that restraint and diplomacy must prevail.
Ahmad concluded that a just and lasting peace in the Middle East depends on resolving the Palestinian issue, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
