Pakistan called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday to move beyond mere condemnation of the Israeli strikes targeting Hamas negotiators and hold Israel accountable for its “illegal and unprovoked aggression” against Qatar.
Speaking at the 15-member Council’s emergency meeting on the Middle East, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, also emphasized the importance of protecting mediators involved in peace efforts, and reaffirming the centrality of international law and the UN Charter in upholding global peace and security.
The meeting was requested by Pakistan, Algeria and Somalia. It took place under the leadership of South Korea, the Council President for the month of September.
“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the illegal and unprovoked Israeli aggression against the brotherly State of Qatar,” the Pakistani envoy said, calling it a “reckless and provocative attack” on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.
The Ambassador pointed out that Israeli strikes targeted a residential neighborhood, deliberately putting civilians at risk — in serious violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). He added that this “brazen and illegal assault” was not an isolated event, but part of a broader, consistent pattern of Israeli aggression and violations of international law that threaten regional peace and stability.
“Such acts of aggression, as defined by UNGA Resolution 3314, also set a dangerous precedent, erode the primacy of rule of law, and breed a culture of impunity that threatens the security of all states.”
Pakistan, he said, expresses its complete solidarity with the government and people of Qatar and fully supports their inalienable right to take all necessary measures, in accordance with the UN Charter, to defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of all persons within their territory.
“In a gesture of solidarity and regional unity, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister is visiting Qatar today,” Ambassador Ahmad told delegates.
“The visit underscores Pakistan’s unwavering support for the security and sovereignty of Qatar and its commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.”
He added, “This irresponsible action by Israel is yet another manifestation of its systematic disregard for international law, and its brazen policy of destabilizing the region. It adds to its long and dubious record of aggression, brutal military actions in Gaza, repeated cross-border strikes in Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen – all of which amount to violations of the UN Charter and IHL.”
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