Sustainable development unattainable amid Gaza tragedy: Khawaja Asif
Lasting world peace impossible without resolving Palestine & Kashmir disputes: Tarar
New York: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that no sustainable development can take place till tragedies like Gaza are perpetuated by the developed world.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Khawaja Asif’s comments on Israel’s assault, which has resulted in the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians, were made today during his opening remarks at the United Nations ‘Summit of the Future’ in New York, part of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Khawaja Asif is part of the Pakistani delegation accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who arrived in New York on Monday night for the summit.
During his speech, he underscored the need for the UN to be more empowered to effectively address both longstanding and emerging conflicts, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the numerous failures of the Security Council in the past, arguing that expanding the number of permanent members—driven by India and its allies—would only exacerbate the Council’s paralysis. He emphasized the need to uphold the UN Charter to ensure a sustainable future rooted in peace, prosperity, and development for generations to come. Khawaja Asif also underscored the importance of reducing tensions between major powers and curbing the proliferation of nuclear and other weapons.
In a separate statement, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stressed that lasting global peace is unattainable without a permanent resolution to the Palestine and Kashmir issues. Speaking to the media outside the UN headquarters, he asserted, “We want an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and accountability of the aggressor Israel for war crimes and genocide being committed in Palestine”.
Tarar described the situation as a “genocide of unarmed Palestinians,” urging the international community to hold Israel accountable. He also noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz has consistently raised the issues of Palestine and Kashmir on global platforms, and that Kashmir will be a key focus in the premier’s engagements at the UN this year.
