Pakistan called on the United Nations Security Council (USC) on Thursday to go beyond the simple condemnation of Israeli strikes targeting Hamas negotiators and Israel responsible for its “illegal and not caused attack” against Qatar.
Explaining during the emergency meeting of the Council of 15 members on the Middle East, the Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan at the UN, also stressed the importance of protecting the mediators involved in peace efforts and reaffirming the centrality of international law and the United Nations Charter to assume world peace and security.
The meeting was requested by Pakistan, Algeria and Somalia. It took place under the direction of South Korea, president of the Council for the month of September.
“Pakistan condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the illegal Israeli assault and not caused against the fraternal state of Qatar,” said the Pakistani envoy, calling him “imprudent and provocative attack” against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.
The ambassador stressed that Israeli strikes aimed at a residential area, deliberately putting civilians in danger – in serious violation of international humanitarian law (DIH). He added that this “cheeky and illegal assault” was not an isolated event, but part of a broader and coherent scheme of Israeli aggression and violations of international law that threaten regional peace and stability.
“Such acts of aggression, as defined by UNGA resolution 3314, have also established a dangerous precedent, erod the primacy of the rule of law and generate a culture of impunity that threatens the security of all states.”
Pakistan, he said, expresses its complete solidarity with the government and the people of Qatar and fully supports their inalienable right to take all the necessary measures, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and the security of all people on their territory.
“In a gesture of solidarity and regional unit, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Deputy Prime Minister / Minister of Foreign Affairs goes to Qatar today,” said Ambassador Ahmad.
“The visit underlines the unwavering support of Pakistan to 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 still another manifestation of its systematic contempt for international law, and its cheeky policy of destabilizing the region. She adds to her long and doubtful assault record, from Lebanon brutal to Gaza, all cross -border blows in Syria, Lebanon, Iran and Yemen – all elements of UN and UN violations. “
