
Pakistan Calls for Immediate Ceasefire and Political Solution in Palestine at UNGA Veto Debate
New York, Oct 1, 2025 — Pakistan has strongly condemned the use of veto at the UN Security Council which blocked a resolution aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling it a “failure to act when Gaza needed it most.”
Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s debate on the veto, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, aligned with the statement delivered by Denmark on behalf of the 10 elected members (E-10) of the Security Council, who had jointly tabled the draft resolution.
Ambassador Ahmad expressed deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, noting that more than 66,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed. He described the devastation as “the erasure of a people’s future,” stressing that Israel, as the occupying power, must be held fully accountable.
The envoy highlighted that the Palestinian issue had dominated this year’s General Debate, citing growing global recognition of Palestine, calls for a ceasefire, and the convening of the Two-State Solution Conference as “rays of hope amid devastation.”
Commenting on recent diplomatic developments, Ambassador Ahmad welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s consultations with Arab and OIC leaders and his announcement of a peace plan, noting Pakistan’s cautious optimism. He said Pakistan would judge all initiatives “not by promises, but by results: stopping the killing, ending the occupation, reuniting families, rebuilding Gaza, and guaranteeing dignity to the Palestinian people.”
The Ambassador also referred to a joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt, who collectively welcomed U.S. efforts and reaffirmed their commitment to work towards a comprehensive settlement ensuring humanitarian access, Israeli withdrawal, and Palestinian statehood.
From the UNGA podium, Pakistan made five urgent calls:
- An immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire across all Occupied Palestinian Territories;
- Lifting of the blockade and unrestricted humanitarian access;
- Release of all hostages and Palestinian prisoners;
- An end to forced displacement, settlements, and annexation plans;
- A time-bound political process to establish an independent, sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
“Palestinians can no longer be denied their right to self-determination. Peace cannot be postponed any longer,” Ambassador Ahmad stressed, reaffirming that Pakistan will remain steadfast in solidarity with Palestine.