UN PICTURE RELEASED BY PAK MISSION
Special Correspondent
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has called upon the international community not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Palestinian people, who are arbitrarily detained, routinely subjected to torture and held in inhumane conditions in Israeli prisons.
During a UN Security Council briefing on the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Munir Akram stated that civilians had been the primary victims of the ongoing war in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“Hostage-taking is strictly prohibited under international law and constitutes a violation of fundamental humanitarian principles. Civilian protection must be ensured in full compliance with international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention,” he said, adding that international law must be applied uniformly, universally, and consistently.
Ambassador Akram referred to a recent report by the Commission of Inquiry on Israel’s systematic use of sexual, reproductive, and other forms of gender-based violence since October 7, 2023, which stated: “Israeli forces have committed the crime against humanity of persecution based on gender.”
He said the ceasefire agreement had provided a glimmer of hope, leading to the release of hostages and temporarily alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. However, he lamented that this opportunity was sabotaged by the political interests of certain Israeli politicians who prioritize their survival through the continuation of war.
Ambassador Akram strongly condemned the resumption of Israeli attacks on Gaza and the indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians through bombardments, airstrikes, and artillery fire.
“The ongoing attacks and continuous bombardment have created an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. Palestinians are being killed indiscriminately and with impunity. This is not the way to secure the release of hostages,” he said.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to alleviating human suffering and ensuring the humane treatment of all civilians. He condemned Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, describing it as a persistent violation of international law that continues to fuel instability and conflict in the Middle East.
“We saw hope in the Arab and OIC Plan for the Recovery and Reconstruction of Gaza, which offered a realistic path to peace. We believe this path must be reinstated,” he added.
Ambassador Akram emphasized the urgent need to revive a credible and irreversible political process toward a two-state solution. He stated that a just and lasting peace can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state within pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
He highlighted the significance of the upcoming June Conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, as a crucial opportunity to advance the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue and implement the two-state solution in accordance with international law and UN resolutions.
Reiterating Pakistan’s call for the full and immediate resumption and implementation of the ceasefire agreement in all its phases, Ambassador Akram stressed that this must include: a permanent cessation of hostilities, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian access, and a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza.
“We support the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2735. This is the best way to secure the release of hostages,” he concluded.
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