At UN, Pakistan urges de-escalation, ceasefire in Ukraine
Pakistan on Monday called for de-escalation, a ceasefire in Ukraine and the resumption of dialogue for a comprehensive and lasting peace solution, while warning of the consequences of further war on civilians, infrastructure, food and energy security, especially in developing countries.
Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Saeed Haider Shah, told a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine that “ongoing fighting has exacerbated the damage to civilians and infrastructure” and expressed “concern over civilian casualties and the targeting of energy facilities, transport networks and commercial ships”.
“The war’s humanitarian impact and devastation affecting food and energy security extend beyond the region’s borders and place additional burdens on developing countries,” Shah added. He called on both parties to the conflict to avoid an escalation of the fighting and to fulfill their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law. The Shah welcomed the limited ceasefire in the Oreshki region that allowed the evacuation of captured civilians, praising “the efforts of both sides and the United States to facilitate the evacuation process.”
“A military solution can further exacerbate and prolong the suffering of the victims,” he stressed. He assured that “a firm ceasefire can pave the way for a peaceful resolution in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law and taking into account the legitimate security concerns of all parties.”
He pointed out that dialogue, de-escalation and respect for international law are ways to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine.