Standing for Palestine: Pakistan’s Push at the UN

Introduction: From Islamabad to New York — A Consistent Stand

In the halls of the United Nations, where world powers often speak in cautious tones and quiet diplomacy, Pakistan has continued to raise its voice clearly and consistently for the people of Palestine.

Over the past few years — especially during the escalating violence in Gaza, and the growing international calls for Palestinian statehood — Pakistan’s presence at the UN has reflected a firm stance:

Justice for Palestine is not optional — it is overdue.

From the General Assembly to the Security Council, Pakistan has used every opportunity to push for an end to occupation, demand accountability for war crimes, and call out global double standards in silence toward Palestinian suffering.

🕊️ A Historic Relationship

Pakistan has never recognized the state of Israel and has always supported a two-state solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. This position is rooted in:

Shared religious and cultural ties
Principles of international law and human rights
Pakistan’s own colonial history and post-partition identity

But over the last two years, especially during Israel’s intensified military campaigns in Gaza, Pakistan’s voice at the UN grew louder, sharper, and more visible.

🎤 What Pakistan Said at UNGA 2023 & 2024

1. Condemnation of Civilian Attacks in Gaza

Pakistan openly condemned the indiscriminate bombings, the killing of civilians, and the blockade of food, water, and fuel in Gaza. The language used by Pakistani diplomats was direct, even when many Western nations avoided the word “ceasefire.”

“What we are witnessing in Gaza is not self-defense. It is collective punishment. It is a war crime.”

— Pakistan’s Ambassador Munir Akram, UN Security Council (Oct 2023)

2. Demand for an Independent Palestine

Pakistan reaffirmed its position for:

Immediate ceasefire and end to Israeli aggression
Lifting of blockades and humanitarian access to Gaza
Recognition of Palestine as a full member state of the UN
Implementation of pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as capital

3. Calling Out Global Hypocrisy

Pakistan challenged the selective outrage shown by powerful countries. While many were quick to condemn violence elsewhere, they remained silent or neutral about decades of Palestinian suffering.

“If international law is only applied when it’s convenient, then it is not law — it’s politics.”

— PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, UNGA 2024

🌍 Why It Resonated Globally

Even though Pakistan is not a major global power, its bold and principled statements gained traction:

Muslim-majority countries echoed similar sentiments, often referring to Pakistan’s words
Independent journalists and UN observers praised the clarity of Pakistan’s stance
Developing nations in the Global South found in Pakistan’s voice a shared frustration over global injustice

🤝 Humanitarian Support, Not Just Speeches

Pakistan’s support for Palestine isn’t limited to words:

It sent medical supplies and food aid to Gaza through Egypt
It participated in OIC-led humanitarian appeals
Pakistani charities on the ground delivered support in partnership with UNRWA and Red Crescent

📺 Global Media & Diaspora Response

Pakistan’s speeches were widely circulated on:

Al Jazeera, TRT World, and Middle East Monitor
X (formerly Twitter), where clips of Pakistan’s UN envoys speaking went viral
Pakistani diaspora communities in the UK, US, and Middle East praised the country’s firm moral diplomacy

📌 Final Thoughts: Speaking Truth to Power

In a world where silence often means complicity, Pakistan’s voice at the UN stood out — not because it was loud, but because it was clear. Whether it changed policy or not, it reminded the world that some countries still speak on principle, not pressure.

As the Palestinian struggle continues, Pakistan’s presence at the UN remains one of the few steady reminders that justice delayed is not justice denied — it’s justice we must keep demanding.