WEB DESK: Pakistan has reiterated that the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif) as its capital, is essential for achieving enduring peace in the Middle East.
This stance was articulated by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, during a Security Council session focused on the ongoing Middle East situation, including Palestinian issues.
Ambassador Ahmad expressed grave concern over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza and the West Bank, calling for a comprehensive assessment of the entire occupied Palestinian territory. He emphasized the urgent need for the Security Council to address the systemic obstacles hindering peace efforts.
Key Highlights from Ambassador Ahmad’s Remarks
He pointed out that the international community’s expressions of concern over violations of international law are more pronounced than ever, given the alarming expansion of Israeli settlements and ongoing violence in the West Bank. Recent reports reveal that thousands of housing units and numerous settlements have been approved, with Israel’s new land registration platform facilitating the dispossession of Palestinian properties under the guise of bureaucratic procedures. The proposed E-1 project, which threatens to fragment the West Bank, remains a particularly troubling development.
He further highlighted that Israel’s withholding of Palestinian Authority revenues is systematically undermining Palestinian governance, creating a situation that is far from isolated incidents but part of a deliberate, systemic pattern. This pattern involves settlement expansion, land annexation, demolitions, forced evictions, and revenue blockades—elements that reinforce each other within a framework designed to entrench occupation and undermine the prospect of a viable Palestinian state.
Regional and Humanitarian Concerns
In recent Arab-Islamic foreign ministers’ meetings, Pakistan joined other nations in condemning the surge in settler violence against Palestinians, including attacks on religious sites. The ministers strongly rejected these acts and called for an end to Israeli measures in occupied territories.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, despite some humanitarian improvements. Widespread shortages of essentials like water, medical supplies, and sanitation continue to devastate the population, with over 90% living under severe conditions. Recent reports detail the tragic loss of life, including women and children, and accuse Israeli occupation forces of targeting Palestinian civilians deliberately.
Call for Action and a Path Forward
Ambassador Ahmad underscored the importance of a holistic approach to peace, urging the Security Council to take decisive action. He called for:
– An immediate halt to all settlement activities, which violate international law.
– Reversal of land annexations, demolitions, and forced displacements, ensuring the protection of Palestinian civilians.
– The release of Palestinian Authority revenues to address a growing fiscal crisis.
– Full implementation of existing peace plans, including the Gaza Conflict Resolution and UN Resolution 2803.
He pointed out that the international community’s endorsement of the New York Declaration and efforts led by the United States and Arab nations present opportunities that must be translated into tangible actions—namely, a permanent ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid, Gaza reconstruction, and the end of illegal settlement expansion.
Ultimately, Pakistan reaffirmed that the only sustainable solution lies in establishing an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital an indispensable step toward lasting regional peace.
