Pakistan has alerted the international community to the serious risks posed by extended conflicts, emphasizing the dangers of miscalculation, escalation, and spillover effects that could destabilize regional and global peace.
This warning was delivered by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, during an emergency session of the UN Security Council convened at Romania’s request following reported violations of its airspace.
Ambassador Ahmad reiterated Pakistan’s firm support for dialogue and diplomacy as the sole viable means to resolve the conflict in Ukraine peacefully. He cautioned that further escalation could transform the crisis into a broader confrontation with far-reaching and devastating consequences for international security.
Addressing concerns over airspace violations and drone warfare, the ambassador reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of all states, as enshrined in the UN Charter. He stressed that these principles are fundamental to interstate relations and must be respected under all circumstances.
He described the reported incursions of armed drones into neighboring countries’ airspace as deeply troubling. Islamabad expressed profound regret over civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure caused by such cross-border incidents.
Ambassador Ahmad noted that the Ukraine conflict has introduced a dangerous new dimension to modern warfare through the extensive use of armed drones. While acknowledging their impact on battlefield dynamics, he highlighted the serious humanitarian challenges they pose, which must be addressed strictly within the framework of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
In a significant development, the ambassador called for an urgent end to the conflict, emphasizing that lasting peace requires renewed adherence to the UN Charter, genuine accommodation of all parties’ legitimate security concerns, and full compliance with multilateral agreements.
He identified the United States-facilitated dialogue process as the most credible path forward, urging its early resumption to provide a mutually acceptable resolution to the devastating conflict.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Ahmad stressed that military solutions cannot achieve lasting peace in the region. He called for an immediate and complete cessation of hostilities and urged all involved parties to recommit themselves sincerely to peace through sustained and meaningful dialogue.
