Pakistan urges swift restoration of Strait of Hormuz shipping at UN

UNITED NATIONS: Islamabad has issued a high-level plea for the immediate normalization of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning that the current volatility is triggering a ripple effect that endangers global energy flows and the survival of impoverished populations.

Speaking during a UN General Assembly debate regarding the use of the veto, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, demanded the protection of civilian sailors and the guaranteed passage of commercial vessels. He characterized the prevailing Middle Eastern instability as a preventable crisis, stating that the conflict "should never have happened" in light of the severe international fallout now being witnessed.

The Ambassador specifically linked the maritime bottlenecks to a domestic and global rise in the cost of living. He noted that the obstruction of the Strait is not merely a strategic concern but a humanitarian one, as it hampers the distribution of fertilizers and vital commodities. This disruption, he argued, is directly compromising food security and placing an unbearable financial burden on the most vulnerable sectors of society.

On the diplomatic front, the envoy detailed Islamabad’s proactive role in seeking a resolution. He highlighted the "Islamabad Talks" conducted on April 11-12, describing them as a pivotal effort under the "Islamabad Process" to advocate for a cessation of hostilities and a return to regional equilibrium.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s traditional alliances, Ahmad expressed total solidarity with the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stressing that Pakistan remains committed to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of its regional partners. He further disclosed that Pakistani officials are maintaining a rigorous channel of communication with leadership in Washington and Tehran to foster an environment conducive to negotiation.

The Ambassador concluded by warning that a preference for military escalation over diplomacy would only serve to deepen economic misery, whereas a shift toward peace remains the only viable path for the benefit of all global stakeholders.