(Web Desk) – Pakistan has called on the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action to halt illegal Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, warning that the worsening humanitarian and security situation demands urgent international intervention.
Addressing a Security Council session, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said continued settlement expansion, violence against Palestinians, and restrictions on basic rights threaten regional stability and undermine prospects for a lasting peace.
The Pakistani envoy said that despite the ceasefire in Gaza, violence in the occupied Palestinian territories continues to claim civilian lives. He stressed that the international community must ensure compliance with international law and hold all parties accountable for actions that violate established legal obligations.
Pakistan urged the Security Council to take practical measures to stop the expansion of illegal settlements, which it described as a major obstacle to peace. The ambassador said continued construction on occupied land changes demographic realities and weakens efforts to achieve a negotiated political settlement.
The envoy also called for the immediate release of Palestinian Authority funds that have been withheld, saying the financial restrictions are worsening the humanitarian and economic crisis facing Palestinian institutions. He noted that restoring access to these funds would help maintain essential public services and support the daily needs of Palestinian citizens.
Pakistan further demanded an end to the demolition of Palestinian homes, forced displacement of families, and annexation of occupied land. According to the country’s representative, such measures violate international legal principles and increase tensions across the region.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar emphasized that Palestinians must receive protection from violence carried out by extremist settlers. He said civilians living in occupied areas continue to face insecurity and require stronger international safeguards to prevent further escalation.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s longstanding position, the ambassador said the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, remains the only realistic path toward achieving durable peace in the Middle East.
He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the internationally recognized two-state solution, arguing that only a negotiated settlement guaranteeing the rights and security of both Palestinians and Israelis can bring long-term regional stability.
Pakistan also urged the United Nations to intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at reviving meaningful peace negotiations. The envoy said dialogue supported by international law and relevant UN resolutions remains essential to resolving one of the world’s longest-running conflicts.
Diplomatic observers note that growing concern within the international community over humanitarian conditions and settlement expansion has increased pressure on the Security Council to seek renewed political engagement. Several member states have recently voiced support for greater protection of civilians and renewed efforts to preserve the viability of the two-state framework.
Pakistan reaffirmed that it will continue supporting international initiatives promoting peace, justice, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people through diplomatic engagement at the United Nations and other multilateral forums.
The statement reflects Pakistan’s consistent foreign policy position in favor of a peaceful resolution based on international law, respect for human rights, and implementation of UN resolutions. Islamabad maintains that sustainable peace can only be achieved by ending occupation, protecting civilians, and establishing an independent Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel within internationally recognized borders.
Pakistan concluded by urging the Security Council to move beyond statements of concern and adopt concrete measures that can help reduce tensions, protect civilians, and revive credible negotiations aimed at securing lasting peace across the Middle East.
