Pakistan urges immediate Ukraine ceasefire, warns escalating war worsening humanitarian crisis

• Ambassador Asim Iftikhar voices alarm over rising civilian suffering in Ukraine conflict, terming diplomacy remains only viable path to lasting peace

• Calls for full adherence to int’l and humanitarian law by all parties, saying UN Charter principles, legitimate security concerns must guide negotiated settlement

• Backs revival of US-facilitated dialogue process to advance peace efforts, saying continued hostilities deepening regional instability

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has renewed its strong call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, warning that continued military escalation is intensifying humanitarian suffering and posing serious risks to regional stability.

Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Ukraine, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, voiced grave concern over the latest surge in fighting and its devastating humanitarian consequences, according to a statement shared on X by Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN on Friday.

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Pakistan Backs Efforts for Peaceful Resolution of the Ukraine Conflict

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Ambassador Ahmad reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled position on strict adherence to international law and international humanitarian law, stressing that all parties must fully uphold their obligations, including the protection of civilians and diplomatic compounds under customary international law and treaty commitments.

 ‘Imperative of peaceful settlement’

“The recent escalation demonstrates yet again the imperative of peaceful settlement,” the ambassador stated, emphasizing that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable route toward a comprehensive and lasting peace.

Pakistan underlined that military means cannot produce sustainable peace and urged all sides to agree to an immediate and complete ceasefire in order to create the necessary space for meaningful negotiations.

Reiterating Pakistan’s consistent support for a negotiated settlement, Ambassador Ahmad stressed the importance of respecting the purposes and principles of the UN Charter while addressing the legitimate security concerns of all parties involved.

US-facilitated dialogue process

He also expressed hope that the US-facilitated dialogue process would resume at the earliest opportunity to help advance efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Highlighting Pakistan’s support for international peace initiatives, Ambassador Ahmad recalled Pakistan’s vote in favor of UN Security Council Resolution 2774, adopted in February last year, and reaffirmed Islamabad’s continued backing for all efforts aimed at securing a comprehensive, durable and peaceful settlement of the conflict.

“Every passing day with continuation of hostilities only deepens the misery of the people in the region and distances the parties further from the much-needed peace,” he concluded.