ISLAMABAD: As the conflict in Ukraine reaches four years, Pakistan has once again called for dialogue and diplomacy insisting that there was no military solution to this conflict. These four years have not only sent shockwaves across the world, but also undermined food and energy security, especially impacting the Global South.
Pakistan has throughout this conflict remained neutral refusing to take sides. “A just and lasting peace can only be achieved through sustained, structured and meaningful dialogue. We supported this back in 2022, when the two sides were holding dialogue in Istanbul, and we continued to support all subsequent peace initiatives, including the ongoing negotiation process facilitated by the US,” said Pakistan’s Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.
He was speaking at the UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine.
The imperative, he pointed out, to end the agony of millions is not just a political objective, rather it is a profound moral responsibility. “Pakistan favours all genuine efforts aimed at a comprehensive and durable resolution of this conflict. We will continue to support all initiatives aimed at bridging the divide and promoting a pacific settlement. It is time to prove that diplomacy and dialogue are not a sign of weakness, but essential and powerful means in our collective quest for peace,” he said.
Pakistan called out to all sides to make full use of the ongoing diplomacy, demonstrate genuine political will, show mutual understanding and engage constructively to make meaningful strides towards a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the conflict, beginning with an early ceasefire.
Later, speaking on Safety and Security of UN Peacekeepers in the Context of Emerging Technologies, the ambassador said that for troop- and police-contributing countries, safety and security of peacekeepers has a very direct human dimension, it is not an abstract concept.
“Our peacekeepers serve in the most dangerous theatres, often with significant constraints. Pakistan has lost 182 peacekeepers under the United Nations flag.
As one of the largest troop-contributing countries, Pakistan remains committed to working with all partners to implement the safety and security agenda under A4P and A4P+.
But peacekeepers must not be asked to do more with less while facing greater risks,” he said.
