Pakistan Advocates for Palestinian Statehood After UNSC Adopts Gaza Peace Plan
Summary:
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) recently adopted a US-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s plan to end the conflict in Gaza, a move that also authorizes an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) for the Palestinian enclave. Following this, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, emphasized the critical need to end the occupation of Palestinian territories and establish a clear path for Palestinian statehood.
Pakistan, alongside thirteen other UNSC members, voted in favor of the resolution. Russia and China abstained, notably, despite earlier indications from Moscow that it might veto the text. Ambassador Ahmad stated that Pakistan’s vote was driven by a desire to halt the violence, protect civilians, and reinforce a ceasefire, paving the way for humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. He highlighted that Islamabad’s decision was guided by the positions of the Palestinians, the Arab Group, and an eight-nation Arab-Islamic grouping that had previously endorsed Trump’s initiative.
While welcoming certain aspects of the resolution, such as the call for maintaining the ceasefire and regular UNSC reporting, Ambassador Ahmad noted that several crucial issues remained unaddressed. These include a clear political path to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, the central role of the Palestinian Authority in governance, and enhanced UN involvement. Pakistan reiterated its consistent policy advocating for a sovereign, independent, and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The ambassador stressed that existing UNSC resolutions remain valid and should not be diminished by the new resolution.
Hamas, however, rejected the resolution, asserting that it fails to meet Palestinian rights and demands, viewing the proposed international force as an imposition that would compromise its neutrality by aiming to disarm the resistance. Despite calls for a credible pathway to Palestinian statehood in the resolution, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu firmly rejected the notion of a Palestinian state.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1955653