Pakistan has called for unhindered humanitarian access, accountability and renewed commitment to international law particularly in Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The call was made by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad while addressing the UN Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

On Palestine, the Ambassador said the immense suffering of civilians requires safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access, accountability for violations and realization of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood.

On IIOJK, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the dispute has remained on the Security Council’s agenda for more than seven decades and civilians continue to suffer under foreign occupation, including massive militarization, arbitrary detentions, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, demographic engineering, and denial of their internationally recognized right to self-determination.

The Ambassador said Pakistan will continue to support efforts to uphold international law, ensure accountability, advance peaceful settlement of disputes and protect civilians wherever they are threatened, stressing that civilians are not collateral damage but the very people the United Nations was created to save.