Pakistan urges talk to end Ukraine war

UNITED NATIONS:

Pakistan called for dialogue, diplomacy and an immediate ceasefire to peacefully settle the Russia-Ukraine conflict at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, following a deadly strike on a college dormitory housing students in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region.

"We are deeply perturbed by the escalation in fighting lately, and the consequential worsening humanitarian impact," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member Council.

Briefing the Council, Edem Wosornu, director of operations and advocacy at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told the meeting, which Russia requested, that the attack "caused scores of civilian casualties, including children."

"The human cost of this war reveals a pattern that defies international humanitarian law," said Ms. Wosornu. "Civilians must be protected."

The attack has reportedly left six dead and dozens injured, including children.

Nearly 16,000 civilians have been killed and more than 44,000 injured in Ukraine since February 2022, according to Ms. Wosornu, noting that the actual figures are "most certainly much higher."

In his remarks, Asim Ahmad, the Pakistani Ambassador, underscored that civilians must not be attacked in situations of armed conflict "anywhere", calling for "purposeful efforts" to end this protracted conflict.

"Military means cannot bring lasting peace," he asserted. "Only a resolute commitment to dialogue, a complete cessation of hostilities and necessary political will can bring about enduring peace."

Pakistan, he said, has all along favoured and advocated dialogue and diplomacy for the peaceful settlement of this conflict.

"Bringing lasting peace would require commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and a focus on finding a mutually acceptable solution that corresponds to the legitimate security interests of all sides, and the relevant multilateral agreements."

In this regard, the Pakistani envoy reiterated the hope for the parties to resume the US-facilitated dialogue process at the earliest.