The Pakistani delegation, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, walked out of the United Nations General Assembly session on Friday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the stage. The delegation included Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Science and Technology Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, and Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Munir Akram. Iran and several other nations also boycotted Netanyahu’s address.
Pakistan, which does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, advocates for a two-state solution based on United Nations and OIC resolutions, adhering to international law, with pre-1967 borders and Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
Since the October 7 conflict escalation, Pakistan has urged peace and restraint, condemning Israel’s airstrikes and ground operations, which have killed thousands. According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 41,534 Palestinians have died, with 96,092 wounded, since the offensive began. The deceased include women, children, journalists, and UN workers involved in humanitarian aid efforts.
In addition to Gaza, Israel has expanded its military actions to Lebanon, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah sites. Thousands of Lebanese have been displaced by these airstrikes.
PM Shehbaz Sharif, who spoke at the UN before Netanyahu, harshly criticized Israel’s military actions, calling for an immediate halt to what he described as the “systematic slaughter” of Palestinians. He emphasized that this violence goes beyond a conflict, calling it an assault on human dignity. In his second speech at the UN as prime minister, he urged immediate international action, stressing that the suffering of Palestinians should not be overlooked.
Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s support for a two-state solution and called for Palestine’s immediate recognition as a full UN member. He expressed the deep sorrow of Pakistanis over the ongoing crisis, highlighting the shared anguish over the plight of Palestinians. Pakistan has consistently condemned Israeli attacks and called for international efforts to ensure a ceasefire and the protection of civilians, particularly women and children.
In July, the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s long-term occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, urging its swift conclusion. Sharif questioned whether the world could continue to ignore the suffering of Palestinian children and families and warned that Israel’s actions could escalate into a broader regional conflict with catastrophic consequences.
