Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, on Friday demanded an end to Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, stating that the Nakba should not persist for another generation of Palestinians. Speaking at the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People on Nakba Day, Ahmad emphasized the need for justice and accountability.
What is Nakba Day?
Nakba, meaning "catastrophe" in Arabic, is observed annually on May 15 to commemorate the mass displacement and expulsion of over 750,000 Palestinians during the 1948 war that led to the creation of Israel. This year's commemoration comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where more than 72,000 people have been killed and most Palestinians displaced since October 2023. The region continues to face severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel due to restricted aid access, despite a fragile ceasefire reached late last year.
Ahmad's Remarks at the UN
Addressing the committee, Ahmad said the world is witnessing a new Nakba in Gaza that must be stopped. "The Nakba must not be allowed to continue into another generation of Palestinians. It must end through justice, accountability, and the vocation of illegal occupation," he asserted. He also called on the international community to ensure continued political and financial support for Palestinian refugees. "On this solemn anniversary, remembrance alone is not enough," he added.
Israeli Settlement Expansion
Ahmad highlighted that in nearly four years, Israel has approved 102 new settlements, nearly doubling the 127 that previously existed. These measures, he said, are deliberately aimed at permanently altering realities on the ground. Meanwhile, settler violence has escalated at an unprecedented rate. In 2025, the UN recorded the highest number of settler-related attacks against Palestinians since systematic documentation began in 2006.
Pakistan's Stance
Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle for self-determination, freedom, and dignity. The country has consistently supported the legitimate rights of Palestinians, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
