At the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan firmly rejected India’s assertion that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Gul Qaiser Sarwani, exercising Pakistan’s right of reply, stated that Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) “never was, neither is, and nor will ever be” part of India. This statement came in response to remarks by India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, who reiterated India’s claim over the region.
Sarwani highlighted that the Kashmir dispute remains an internationally recognized issue on the UN Security Council’s agenda. He emphasized that no attempts to obscure the facts can change the historical, legal, and international nature of this long-standing conflict.
In a significant development, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, underscored the Security Council’s continued focus on the Kashmir issue. He noted that more than 20 communications regarding the “India-Pakistan Question” were presented to the Council between January and December 2025. Furthermore, the Council held closed consultations on Kashmir in May 2025, demonstrating the dispute’s ongoing relevance more than seventy years after it was first introduced.
Ambassador Asim stressed that lasting peace in South Asia depends on a just resolution of the Kashmir conflict, aligned with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, who deserve the right to self-determination.
He also pointed out that the Security Council’s annual report highlights other enduring conflicts, including the Question of Palestine, which continue to affect regional and international stability. Regarding Palestine, the Pakistani envoy drew attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting that despite repeated efforts, violence persists. The Council’s adoption of resolution 2803, endorsing the Gaza Peace Plan, offers a hopeful path forward, and its full implementation is crucial.
Pakistan reiterated its steadfast support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Ambassador Asim also emphasized the vital role of United Nations peace operations and special political missions. Pakistan remains committed to enhancing peacekeeping efforts, ensuring they are effective, well-resourced, and adaptable to emerging challenges.
Finally, he highlighted the need for a more democratic, representative, and accountable multilateral system. The continued use of the veto power by permanent Security Council members remains a concern, as it undermines shared goals. He asserted that expanding the number of permanent members with veto rights would be counterproductive to these objectives.
