Pakistan has warned of a widening and interconnected crisis stretching from Gaza to the Strait of Hormuz, urging stronger diplomatic engagement and strict adherence to international law to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
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Speaking at a United Nations Security Council debate, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the region was facing multiple overlapping conflicts that required urgent de-escalation efforts and coordinated international response.
He stressed that the situation remained highly volatile, with developments in different parts of the region influencing one another and increasing risks to global peace and stability.
Focusing on the ongoing Gaza conflict, the ambassador said that although a ceasefire had been announced, the situation on the ground remained fragile, with continued reports of violations and casualties. He added that humanitarian aid, while partially resumed, was still insufficient to meet urgent civilian needs.
Ambassador Ahmad also raised concerns over the worsening situation in the occupied West Bank, pointing to rising settler violence, settlement expansion, and legislative measures that he said violated international law and threatened regional stability.
He further warned that escalating regional tensions were affecting global economic stability, particularly through disruptions linked to key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that such instability was already impacting several countries, including Pakistan.
The envoy called for restraint from all parties and emphasised that diplomacy and dialogue must remain the primary tools for conflict resolution. He reiterated Pakistan’s active engagement in supporting diplomatic pathways to reduce tensions.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s long-standing position, he said the core issue driving instability in the Middle East remained the unresolved question of Palestine. He stressed that the establishment of a viable Palestinian state was essential for achieving a just and lasting peace in the region.
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The ambassador urged the international community to sustain focus on humanitarian relief, uphold international law, and support meaningful negotiations aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict across the region.