Pakistan calls for urgent diplomacy as Middle East tensions rise at UN

Pakistan has called for restraint, diplomacy, and strict adherence to international law amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning that the regional situation remains highly volatile and increasingly interconnected.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council debate, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad stressed the urgent need for de-escalation across multiple overlapping crises in the region.

He emphasized that respect for the UN Charter, international law, and Security Council resolutions is essential to prevent further escalation and instability.

The ambassador highlighted that the Palestinian issue remains central to regional peace and stability, noting that sustained international attention is crucial. He pointed to the high-level participation in the Council as evidence of the global significance of the situation.

Statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad,
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN,
At the UNSC Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East
(28th April 2026)
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It is right that we retain the focus on Palestine. The significance of this discussion is evident… pic.twitter.com/X1WFHujpBW

— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) April 28, 2026

Referring to the situation in Gaza, he warned that despite the announcement of a ceasefire, the ground reality remains fragile. He noted that continued violations have resulted in the loss of more than 800 Palestinian lives since the ceasefire was declared, further worsening humanitarian conditions.

He added that although humanitarian assistance has resumed it remains insufficient to meet the urgent needs of the affected population, calling for unimpeded and large-scale aid delivery.

The ambassador also raised concerns over the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank, citing increasing settler violence, continued expansion of illegal settlements, and legislative measures that he described as violations of international law.

Expanding his remarks to broader regional tensions, he warned that instability in the Middle East is posing serious risks not only to international peace and security but also to global economic stability. He specifically noted that disruptions in strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz are affecting multiple countries, including Pakistan.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s diplomatic stance, he said the country remains actively engaged in efforts to promote dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes, emphasizing that restraint and diplomacy must guide the way forward at this critical juncture.

He further reiterated Pakistan’s position that the unresolved Palestinian question remains the core issue behind regional instability, stressing that the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state is essential for achieving a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.