Pakistan has asked the international community to prioritize the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories to move beyond this perpetual cycle of violence and destruction.
The call was made by Alternate Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, while delivering a national statement in the United Nations Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian Question.
He argued that despite the ceasefire, the situation remains precarious and the pause in violence should not be mistaken for peace. He said the guns might have fallen silent, but a deeper crisis persists.
The Alternate Permanent Representative said peace cannot take root as long as Israel's actions in the occupied West Bank continue with impunity.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad demanded full and immediate implementation of the ceasefire, which ensures a permanent cessation of hostilities, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian access, and a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza, need to be supported by the international community and led and owned by the Palestinians.
The Pakistan's Alternate Permanent Representative to the UN further demanded an end to Israel's aggression in the West Bank and destruction of refugee camps in Jenin as well as reversal of forced displacements and illegal annexations in line with UN Security resolutions.
