On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly voted to criticise Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, it demanded that Moscow halt fighting, and pressed it to promptly remove its armed forces from Ukraine.
Whereas, Pakistan’s carefully worded UNGA statement on the Ukraine situation on Wednesday emphasised the need to protect a state’s territorial integrity without jeopardising another’s national interests. It is still non-binding since the UN Security Council has not adopted it, despite the vast majority of 141 voting in favour of the resolution. Nations that voted against the resolution were Russia and four other countries, whereas 35 other countries, including Pakistan, abstained.
With each passing day, Pakistan has been tight-lipped as other countries were blaming Russia for the invasion and demanding that all Russian forces be withdrawn from captured territory immediately.
UN Ambassador Munir Akram reminded the emergency session that “Pakistan adheres to the UN Charter’s core values of respect for human rights, non-use or threat of force, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and a commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts. Furthermore, Pakistan is committed to ensuring equal and indivisible security for all citizens. ‘ These standards must be adhered to without exception.
Russia and four other nations voted against the motion; 35 governments, including Pakistan, abstained. India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka voted against the US-backed motion, while Nepal voted in favour. As one of the UN Security Council’s five permanent members, China abstained as well.
On the other hand, this would ease Pakistan’s worry of being isolated on a subject that has prompted Islamabad to vote against the United States in order to strengthen its economic relations with Russia. Over 100 diplomats from 40 countries walked out during Russia’s foreign minister’s address at the Human Rights Council on Tuesday, increasing the pressure on Pakistan and other UN members who were avoiding taking sides on this delicate topic.
Additionally, Pakistan’s Foreign Office got a letter from the senior diplomats of 22 nations asking it to endorse the UNGA resolution denouncing Russia’s actions and demanding its quick departure on Tuesday.
Non-European countries, including Australia, Canada, and Japan, also signed on as signatories. PM Imran Khan had a meeting with his closest advisers earlier in the day on Thursday in Islamabad to address the developing situation in Ukraine and Pakistan’s stance on the dispute.
Ministers of Planning Asad Umar, Energy Hammad Azhar, and Information Fawad Chaudhry attended the meeting, and the heads of the three services, as well as Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, informed the attendees of the war in Ukraine.
After the meeting, the minister of information informed Dawn that the session had accepted the draught of the speech to be made by Pakistan’s permanent representative.
He went on to say that Pakistan has opted to underline its opposition to aggression and emphasis on diplomacy to resolve disputes. During the vote on a resolution aimed at preventing Russia’s aggressiveness, Pakistan opted to abstain, according to him.
“Since then, we have constantly emphasised the necessity of de-escalation, renewed discussions, persistent dialogue, and continuous diplomacy,” Ambassador Akram said. To avert further escalation of bloodshed and loss of life and military, political and economic tensions that might represent an unprecedented danger to world peace and security and global economic stability, all steps should be taken.”
“We hope that the negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine will lead to a suspension of hostilities and a return to normalcy,” he added.
“Negotiation in conformity with international law and the United Nations Charter is essential to resolving this conflict. Pakistan supports all efforts to offer humanitarian help to citizens in the afflicted areas,” said Ambassador Akram.
He also informed that most of Pakistan’s nationals and students in Ukraine have been evacuated and the Pakistani government is most worried about their safety and well-being.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Akram said, “They would evacuate those left at the earliest,” and he thanked the Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian, and Hungarian governments for their help.
