UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has emphasized the need to implement the Gaza Reconstruction Plan, which has received backing from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab Group. This call comes as diplomats convene in New York to lay the groundwork for an upcoming international conference scheduled for June, aimed at promoting a two-state solution to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Addressing the preparatory meeting, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, highlighted the urgency to confront the fundamental issue at the heart of the conflict: the prolonged Israeli occupation. He asserted that a just and lasting peace is achievable only through the cessation of this occupation.
“This conference is a critical opportunity to respond to the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza,” stated Ahmad. He pointed out that the persistent violation of the two-state solution through illegal settlements and unilateral actions by Israel necessitates a firm international reaction.
The conference is set to take place at the UN headquarters in New York from June 17 to 20, following a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly in December 2024. It will be co-chaired by representatives from Saudi Arabia and France.
In his remarks, Ahmad stressed the importance of restoring and fully implementing a ceasefire in Gaza, lifting the blockade, and ensuring unhindered access for humanitarian aid, particularly through the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees. He underscored the need to protect both civilians and aid workers during this critical period.
Furthermore, he asserted that any measures aiming to forcibly displace Palestinians or annex their territories should be categorically rejected. Ahmad proposed that the conference establish a mechanism to monitor compliance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly those categorizing settlements as illegal, and to facilitate Palestine’s bid for full UN membership status.
He also highlighted the significance of critical infrastructure projects, including a transit corridor between Gaza and the West Bank, reconstruction of seaports, and the establishment of industrial zones, which are essential for ensuring territorial continuity and Palestinian unity.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to a fair and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue, Ahmad reaffirmed the need for solutions grounded in international law and relevant UN resolutions, emphasizing the need for a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He concluded by urging that this conference must serve as a pivotal moment, yielding concrete outcomes that uphold Palestinian rights and foster a sustainable peace through a sovereign Palestinian state.
Earlier, Philemon Yang, the President of the UN General Assembly, called on nations to embrace this vital opportunity to make meaningful progress towards resolving the conflict. He remarked on the grim realities faced by Gaza over the past 19 months, stressing that the cycles of violence and displacement must not continue.
Yang insisted that a resolution to this conflict cannot be achieved through perpetual warfare or ongoing occupation, but rather through coexistence in peace, security, and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians in their own independent states.
