At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made issued a forceful appeal to the global community on September 23, 2025, declaring that Gaza has turned into “a graveyard for humanity” and calling for immediate steps to end the violence.
Dar, speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East, warned that the world could no longer content itself with statements of concern. “The time for words has passed. The time for action is now,” he said, citing that over 64,000 have been lost and more than 100,000 injured in the Gaza conflict.
Dar’s Key Demands: Ceasefire, Humanitarian Access, Justice
In his appeal, Dar pressed for:
- An immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire
- Full unhindered humanitarian access into Gaza
- An end to forced displacement of Palestinians
- Accountability through war crimes trials
- Reconstruction led by Arab and Islamic states
- A sovereign Palestinian state on pre‑1967 borders with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds al‑Sharif) as its capital
At the same time, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the international conference on the two‑state solution being co‑chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, and voiced concern over intensifying settler violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
During a parallel session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Committee of Six on Palestine, Dar warned that the world was witnessing a “plausible genocide.” He urged the OIC to back the UN’s actions and press for stronger measures.
Pakistan’s Stance in UN Diplomacy
Pakistan has frequently called on the Security Council to act decisively in Gaza, arguing that time is not on the side of civilian victims. In earlier sessions, its UN envoy emphasized that calls for ceasefire or humanitarian action must translate into enforceable mandatesIn July 2025, as Pakistan held the presidency of the UNSC, Dar presided over high‑level sessions. His speeches stressed that the Council must not remain a bystander as suffering deepens, and attacked the concept of aid mechanisms that force civilians to traverse unsafe zones — dubbing some aid corridors “death traps.”
Pakistan also shepherded a Security Council resolution on “peaceful dispute settlement,” urging states to resolve conflicts via negotiation, mediation, and diplomacy. That resolution was passed unanimously.
Challenges and International Response
Dar’s demands arrive amid a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza that aid agencies warn is spiraling. Many international actors have called for a ceasefire; however, disagreement persists over the shape such a ceasefire should take, responsibilities for reconstruction, and political inclusion of Hamas.
Trump’s recent effort to convene Muslim leaders at the UNGA to propose Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction plans — excluding Hamas — reflects one branch of competing visions for Gaza’s future.
Whether Dar’s appeal will translate into concrete UN decisions remains uncertain. Past resolutions often face vetoes, diluted language, or delays in implementation. Pakistan’s approach now will hinge on its ability to rally coalitions at the UN, within the OIC, and among key regional partners.
For Pakistan, Dar’s show of resolve signals Islamabad’s intent to remain vocal on Gaza and Palestine. But as the crisis deepens, the real measure of success will be whether his words galvanize action rather than fade into diplomatic rhetoric.
