PM Shehbaz urges UN to sanction Israel, halt 'genocidal war' in Gaza

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on the United Nations Security Council to end Israel’s “genocidal war” against Palestine and impose sanctions, during the “Leadership for Peace” debate on Wednesday. 

“We must compel Israel to halt its genocidal war in Gaza and prevent its attempt to provoke a wider conflict in the Middle East,” he stated. “It is time to consider sanctions against Israel, including an arms and trade embargo.” He maintained that holding Israel’s leadership accountable for crimes against Palestinians is necessary. 

Sharif urged the Security Council to craft an impartial ceasefire plan and a peaceful solution to the Ukraine war, emphasizing the need to avoid further escalation. 

The conflict, sparked by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 in response to deteriorating conditions for Palestinians, has since claimed over 43,000 lives, including women and children, according to Palestinian health officials.

World bodies, including the International Court of Justice, have condemned Israel’s occupation and criticized the war’s disproportionate civilian casualties, especially those in hospitals and residential areas.

PM Shehbaz also brought attention to the ongoing situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, saying, “The Council must call for a halt to the massive violations of the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people and implement its resolutions that demand a plebiscite for self-determination in Kashmir.”

He also raised concerns over regional security, particularly the resurgence of terrorism in Afghanistan, mentioning Da'ish and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and called for a global commitment to reverse the arms race, reaffirming Pakistan's cooperation.