NEW YORK: Pakistan has taken an important diplomatic position at the United Nations, drawing global attention. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, has endorsed United States President Donald Trump’s proposed plan for Gaza, describing it as a “rare and urgent window for peace.”
He announced Pakistan’s strong support for the 20-point initiative, which aims to halt the ongoing violence and pave the way for a long-term settlement.
Furthermore, Iftikhar, who recently gained prominence for a heated exchange with the Israeli representative during deliberations on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, said Pakistan voted in favor of the plan because it “offers a concrete pathway to ending bloodshed and ensuring the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.”
He noted that more than 66,000 Palestinians, the majority of them women and children, have lost their lives in the conflict.
In this regard, Pakistan worked closely with members of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to ensure that regional perspectives were reflected in the final text.
Pakistan also introduced its own recommendations, focusing on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, a position long held by Islamabad and widely supported across the Muslim world.
Iftikhar reasserted Pakistan’s longstanding view that Jerusalem (Al-Quds) must be recognized as the capital of Palestine. “Jerusalem is more than a city. It is the heart of Palestinian identity, culture, and history,” he stated, calling on the international community to uphold its legal and moral obligations.
The UN Security Council adopted the resolution endorsing the US plan with overwhelming support. Thirteen member states, including Pakistan, voted in favor, while no country opposed it.
