UNITED NATIONS ( The COW New Digital) Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the continued denial of the right to self-determination for millions of people across the world, emphasizing that the issue remains one of the most pressing and unresolved challenges of the modern era.
Addressing the UN Special Committee on Decolonization, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, said that even in the 21st century, several regions are still struggling to achieve their legitimate right to self-determination. He highlighted that the people of Palestine and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) remain among the foremost victims of this persistent denial of fundamental rights.
“The tragedy of Palestine continues to question the conscience of the world and the credibility of the United Nations,” Ambassador Iftikhar said, stressing that decades of occupation and violence have stripped Palestinians of their basic freedoms and dignity. He added that the ongoing violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir also represent a blatant disregard for international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
Ambassador Iftikhar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the UN Charter and the complete implementation of the decolonization agenda. He underscored that the credibility and moral standing of the United Nations depend on its ability to uphold its own promises and principles regarding self-determination and the protection of oppressed peoples.
The envoy reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing stance that the right to self-determination is not only a moral imperative but also a legal obligation enshrined in international law. “The people of Kashmir and Palestine must be allowed to determine their future through peaceful and democratic means, as envisioned in the UN resolutions,” he said.
Pakistan also called on the international community to play its part in ensuring justice and equality for all oppressed nations. The speech comes at a time when global attention is again focused on conflicts rooted in historical injustices and colonial legacies.
Ambassador Iftikhar concluded by asserting that Pakistan will continue to stand by the people of Palestine and Kashmir until their inalienable rights are fully realized, reaffirming Islamabad’s consistent support for peace based on justice and self-determination.
