The United Nations General Assembly Tuesday endorsed four annual Pakistani disarmament-related resolutions that are aimed at advancing the goals of regional as well as international peace and security.
The resolutions, which reflect Pakistan’s commitment to achieve those goals, were recommended by the 193-member Assembly’s First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) where the texts enjoyed wide support of its membership.
Two of these resolutions were unanimously approved in the General Assembly, as at the committee level. They are entitled: “Regional disarmament” and “Confidence-building measures in the regional and sub-regional contexts”.
The other two resolutions entitled “Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons” and “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels” were adopted by an overwhelming majority of the membership.
The resolution on assurances to non-nuclear states received 20 votes in favour to none against, with 60 abstentions. The text on conventional arms control mustered 179 votes in favour to one against (India), with two abstentions (Israel and Zimbabwe).
For decades, Pakistan has been trying to promote issues of nuclear disarmament, regional disarmament, conventional arms control, and Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs), Pakistain diplomat pointed out. The adoption of these resolutions reaffirms the importance the international community attaches to “negative security assurances” as well as embracing regional approaches to disarmament and arms control.
Separately, the UN General Assembly Tuesday adopted a resolution, by overwhelming majority, upholding the rights of the Palestinian people and a two-State solution, with Pakistan calling for a “time-bound’ political process leading to a sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The resolution, affirming the UN’s responsibility for the question of Palestine, was adopted by a vote of 151 in favour to 11 against (including US and Israel), with 11 abstentions.
The text was sponsored by Djibouti, Jordan, Mauritania, Qatar, Senegal and State of Palestine.
“We reiterate that the occupation of the occupied Palestinian Territory must end, and Palestinian people must be allowed to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination and establish their independent State,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 193-member Assembly ahead of the vote.
“We support all sincere efforts that help in ending the bloodshed, protect civilians, prevent displacement, rebuild Gaza, and advance a comprehensive peace grounded in international law,” he added.
Under the terms of the resolution terms, the Assembly calls for the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem; the realization of the inalienable right to self-determination and the right to their independent State; and a just resolution of the problem of Palestine refugees in conformity with its resolution 194 (III) of 11 December 1948.
The resolution also calls upon all States, inter alia: (a) Not to recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations, including by ensuring that agreements with Israel do not imply recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel in 1967; (b) To distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967; (c) Not to render aid or assistance to illegal settlement activities, including not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connection with settlements in the occupied territories (d) To respect and ensure respect for international law, in all circumstances, including through measures of accountability, consistent with international law.
It urged all States and the United Nations to continue and expedite the provision of economic, humanitarian and technical assistance to the Palestinian people and the Palestinian Government during this critical period in order to help to alleviate the serious humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
The text also recalls the conclusion of the International Court of Justice, in its advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, that Israel is under an obligation to provide full reparation for the damage caused by its internationally wrongful acts to all natural or legal persons concerned;
“Today’s resolution is more than a statement of principle: It is a reminder that the world must now turn promises into action,” the Pakistani envoy said, speaking in support of the text.
In this regard, Ambassador Asim Ahmad called for implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2803 which calls for the establishment of a Board of Peace (BoP), to be headed by US President Donald Trump, and an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to oversee the reconstruction, security, and governance of the Gaza Strip, while stressing that the Palestinian Authority play a central role and proceed in parallel with the structured follow-up to the Two-State Conference mandated by the General Assembly.
The Pakistani envoy also stressed the full implementation of the ceasefire, with no unilateral actions or military activity, along with complete humanitarian access amid wintry conditions.
“Efforts to change the demographic or legal character of the occupied territories, including around Al-Haram Al-Sharif, are illegal and must end,” he said, adding, “accountability is essential: without justice, there can be no durable peace.”
In conclusion, Ambassador Asim Ahmad said, “Pakistan’s solidarity with the Palestinian people is steadfast, and we stand with them in their legitimate struggle for dignity, justice and self-determination, and for the realization of an independent Palestinian state.