New York (Web Desk): Pakistan expressed deep sorrow and growing despair over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza during the resumed 10th emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Palestine.
Addressing the 193-member Assembly, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, described the situation not merely as a humanitarian catastrophe but as a collapse of humanity, calling it “a stain on our collective conscience.”
His remarks came after the Assembly had, the previous week, overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, as well as unhindered access to humanitarian aid. This move followed the United States' veto of a similar resolution in the UN Security Council on June 4.
The resolution, introduced by Spain and co-sponsored by Pakistan along with 47 other nations, was passed with 149 votes in favor, 12 against, and 19 abstentions. Countries voting against included the United States (US) and Israel, while India was among those that abstained. Ambassador Ahmad emphasized that the demands outlined in the resolution are not merely aspirations, but obligations that the international community must urgently implement.
He described the resolution as a necessary expression of international will and said Pakistan was proud to support and co-sponsor it.
Highlighting the dire toll of the conflict, he pointed out that more than 55,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including 18,000 children and 28,000 women. He noted the widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, places of worship, and cultural heritage, as well as the targeting of humanitarian workers and UN personnel.
With famine looming, the ambassador stressed the need for immediate action not only to halt the ongoing devastation but to lay the groundwork for a just and lasting peace.
Ambassador Ahmad reiterated Pakistan’s call for several key measures: an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire to end the bloodshed; the lifting of the blockade on Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians freely and safely; the full restoration of UNRWA’s mandate, access, and funding; and confronting the root cause of the crisis, which he identified as Israel’s prolonged and illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.
He stated that lasting peace cannot be achieved without justice, and justice cannot exist without the realization of a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) as the capital of a sovereign, independent, and contiguous Palestinian state. In this regard, he expressed Pakistan’s support for the upcoming high-level conference on Palestine and the two-state solution, to be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
Though originally scheduled for this week, the conference was postponed due to heightened regional tensions following Israel’s recent aggression against Iran.
Ambassador Ahmad urged collective international efforts to ensure that the conference produces tangible outcomes in advancing a credible path toward durable peace, Palestinian statehood, and full UN membership for Palestine.
He warned that the credibility of the international system and the principle of multilateralism were on trial, and stressed that the global community must not turn away.
The Pakistani envoy condemned the actions of those defending the occupying power, saying it was outrageous that those responsible for egregious violations of international law could stand in the UN Assembly and blame others for supporting justice.
He insisted that moral bankruptcy should find no shelter within the United Nations and urged all member states to act with moral clarity, legal integrity, and political will to denounce aggression and uphold justice.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, Ambassador Ahmad concluded by pledging that Pakistan would continue to raise its voice in solidarity and hope until justice is served, the occupation ends, and the Palestinians’ inalienable rights are realized.
He emphasized that this commitment aligns with the United Nations’ permanent responsibility toward resolving the question of Palestine in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.