In a historic diplomatic moment for Pakistan’s international engagement, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar presided over the United Nations Security Council’s Quarterly Open Debate on the “Situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian Question.” Held at UN Headquarters in New York, the debate was elevated to ministerial level under Pakistan’s rotating presidency of the Council.
Delivering Pakistan’s national statement, Senator Dar condemned in strong terms the ongoing and systematic targeting of hospitals, schools, UN facilities, humanitarian convoys, and refugee camps in Gaza. He described these actions as “deliberate acts of collective punishment,” emphasizing that they constitute flagrant violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), multiple UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, and the binding provisional measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“This is not just a conflict — it is a humanitarian catastrophe. The international community must uphold its moral and legal responsibilities,” Dar said.
Calling the question of Palestine a “litmus test for the credibility of the United Nations,” the Deputy Prime Minister outlined a clear set of urgent actions for the Security Council:
• An immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
• Unimpeded humanitarian access for aid organizations.
• An end to Israeli occupation and forced displacement of Palestinians.
• Renewed international support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
• Implementation of the Arab League and OIC-led reconstruction plan for Gaza.
• Urgent revival and commitment to a two-state solution, as envisioned in long-standing UN frameworks.
Senator Dar underscored that peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved in isolation. “A comprehensive and enduring peace requires addressing all interrelated crises in the region — whether in Syria, Lebanon, or Iran — through effective multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes,” he noted.
In a poignant conclusion, he declared:
“The time has come to give the Palestinian people what they have been denied for far too long — justice, freedom, dignity, and a state of their own. This is the only path to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.”
The high-level session drew participation from foreign ministers and envoys of major powers and regional actors, with growing international calls for an end to the violence in Gaza and a renewed push for peace.
Under Pakistan’s presidency, the Security Council reaffirmed the urgency of addressing the Palestinian crisis through collective action and adherence to international law — marking a significant moment in Pakistan’s diplomatic leadership on the global stage.
By Diplo Insights Correspondent | New York Bureau
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Pakistan’s Deputy PM & Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar Presides Over UNSC Ministerial Debate on Middle East, Urges Action for Palestine
