Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, speaks at a United Nations Security Council Photo: AFP
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council, on Tuesday condemned the deadly attack on a religious gathering in Sydney, saying Pakistan stood in solidarity with Australia and unequivocally rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Two gunmen opened fire on Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 11 people and injuring several others in a “terrorist incident” targeting a gathering for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah in Australia.
The envoy also highlighted Pakistan’s strong support for the Gaza ceasefire framework, emphasizing the principles of its implementation in accordance with international law.
Addressing the Council, the envoy also reiterated Pakistan’s strong support for the Gaza ceasefire framework, recognizing the facilitating efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. He said these diplomatic efforts culminated in the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2803, which Pakistan supported alongside a group of eight Arab and Islamic countries.
UN Security Council Resolution 2803 calls for full compliance with the Gaza ceasefire plan and renewed political efforts toward a two-state solution.
Israel and Hamas signed the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement on October 10, 2025, the first phase of a U.S.-brokered peace plan aimed at ending two years of devastating war in Gaza that has claimed more than 67,000 Palestinian lives and reshaped politics in the Middle East.
The agreement – negotiated by the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey – commits both sides to ending hostilities, facilitating the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and allowing large-scale humanitarian aid to arrive in Gaza.
As the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories remains dire despite the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on October 10, Pakistan has called for measures to ensure compliance with the truce agreement to end the bloodshed, ensure humanitarian aid and pave the way for the reconstruction of Gaza.
Read: Pakistan calls for respect for Gaza ceasefire plan
Referring to the latest report of the UN Secretary-General on Resolution 2334, Pakistan warned that Israeli settlement activity had reached alarming levels. Israeli authorities have advanced more than 6,300 housing units in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with significant activity in Area C and sensitive areas such as E1. The envoy said settlement expansion in 2025 was at its highest level since the UN began systematic monitoring.
“These actions, as reinforced by the ICJ advisory opinion of July 2024 and identified in Resolution 2334, have no legal validity and violate international law, as they reinforce the occupation and undermine the viability of the two-state solution,” Ahmad said.
Calling for concrete measures, the representative urged the full and good faith implementation of Resolution 2803: an immediate cessation of settlement activities in accordance with the resolution, respect for the ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, unhindered humanitarian access and the start of reconstruction without annexation or forced displacement.
He also drew attention to accountability and called for a time-bound political process leading to an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Learn more: Pakistan calls for resolution of differences
He concluded his statement by saying: “Pakistan’s solidarity with the Palestinian people remains unwavering. We stand firmly with him in his legitimate struggle for dignity, justice and self-determination, and for the realization of an independent Palestinian State in accordance with international legitimacy.
UNGA WSIS+20 Meeting
Separately, at a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly marking 20 years of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), Pakistan highlighted the growing global digital divide, warning that disparities now extend beyond data connectivity, capabilities and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Aligning with the Group of 77 and China, Pakistan called for more investment, skills development and technology transfer to developing countries, and called for inclusive governance of data and AI.
The envoy highlighted Pakistan’s decisive steps towards digital transformation through the adoption of the Pakistan Digital Nation Act and the National AI Policy, aimed at expanding connectivity, strengthening digital public infrastructure and advancing e-governance.
The Pakistan Digital Nation Act is a law establishing the framework for digital governance, public services and infrastructure nationwide. The National AI Policy is a roadmap guiding the safe, ethical and inclusive development and use of artificial intelligence in Pakistan.
