Staff Report
ISLAMABAD/UNITED NATIONS: After Pakistan abstained from voting on a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Munir Akram has issued a lengthy explanation stating that “the provisions of the resolution was inconsistent with Pakistan’s principled position on the war.”
In the explanation addressed to the UN president, Akram said Pakistan has abstained on the draft resolution contained in document A/ES-11/L.7 as “Pakistan is deeply concerned by the conflict in Ukraine which has caused and is causing immense human suffering in Ukraine and massive damage to its infrastructure, economy and society.”
“We acknowledge the considerable effort made by the co-sponsors to moderate the tone and language of the draft resolution. Pakistan fully supports the resolution’s call for respect for the principle of sovereignty, sovereign equality, and territorial integrity of states and non-acquisition of territory by the threat or use of force. States cannot be torn apart by using force,” he said.
Pakistan is deeply concerned by the conflict in #Ukraine which has caused & is causing immense human suffering in Ukraine & massive damage to its infrastructure, economy & society: Amb Munir Akram Permanent Representative @UN at 11th Emergency Session in General Assembly.
1/4 pic.twitter.com/93a6J2Wzug— Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN (@PakistanUN_NY) February 24, 2023
Principles not universally applied and respected
The Pakistani envoy said, “Pakistan regrets that these principles havd not been universally applied and respected, for instance, in a situation of foreign occupation and the ongoing attempts at the illegal and forcible annexation of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan also endorses the resolution’s urging member states and international organisations to redouble their support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
While the hostilities continue, he said, “there was an ever-present danger of a further military and geographical escalation of the war. There is thus an imminent threat to global peace and security.”
He said, “while my delegation agrees with and endorses the principles and general provisions contained in the draft resolution, some provisions are inconsistent with Pakistan’s principled position on some of the elements covered in the resolution.”
“As a country that has seen and suffered the consequences of prolonged conflict in our the region, we attach the highest priority to the immediate cessation of hostilities and the start of dialogue to achieve a just and durable solution – through direct or indirect negotiations, mediation or other peaceful means. In this regard, “we see an important role of the UN and the UN Secretary-General, among other things, under Chapter VI and VIII of the UN Charter, for efforts to de-escalate, renewed negotiations and sustained dialogue for a peaceful diplomatic solution,” he said.
“Consistent with our position on the draft resolution in document A/ES-11/L.7, we have also abstained on the amendments proposed to the resolution by Belarus in documents A/ES-11/L.8 and A/ES.11/L.9.”
He said, “Pakistan continues to hope that, in a constructive approach, the parties will soon accept a mutual and early cessation of hostilities. We also hope for the resumption of dialogue for a durable resolution of the conflict based on the UN Charter and past agreements, and keeping in mind the legitimate security interests of all states.”
