Mr. Chairman, 

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
 
​​Pakistan considers the OIC as its primary constituency. The OIC’s priorities are Pakistan’s priorities.
 
2.​​We are collectively facing a major challenge in the Middle East. The Gaza war has had catastrophic consequences for the Palestinian people. We should work collectively to preserve the interests of Palestine and the principles and objectives of the Arab and Muslim Ummah.
 
3.​​Pakistan supports the pursuit of diplomacy to preserve the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the negotiation and implementation of its second and third phases. We must dissuade Israel and its supporters from reviving the war in Gaza; and ensure adequate humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, including by preserving the essential role of UNRWA. We must rigorously oppose proposals for the expulsion of the Palestinians from their homeland.
 
4.​​Simultaneously, we should take steps to end Israel’s campaign of violence and displacement in the West Bank. We should clarify our common position of opposition to the plans of Israeli extremists to annex the West Bank. We must initiate concrete steps to secure the two-State solution. We should endorse the important statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia insisting on the establishment of a Palestinian State as an indispensable pre-condition for normalization in the entire region. To this end, the OIC should work collectively to secure global recognition of the State of Palestine and press for its full membership of the United Nations. We must make the two-State solution a political inevitability.
 
Colleagues,
 
5.​​Pakistan welcomes the agreement brokered by France and the United States last November, which led to an agreement for cessation of hostilities in Lebanon. However, Israel’s continued military actions in South Lebanon violate this agreement and threaten to reignite conflict. We must demand the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from South Lebanon within the agreed timeframe and urge full compliance with international commitments.
 
6.​​Pakistan congratulates President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on assuming office and hopes that Lebanon will move towards peace, stability, and prosperity under their leadership.
 
7.​​Pakistan supports the stabilization of Syria through an inclusive, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political process facilitated by the UN. Terrorism must not be allowed to re-emerge in or from Syria. We must uphold Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel must withdraw immediately from the separation zone established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. It must also withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights in accordance with Security Council resolutions.
 
8.​​Pakistan remains deeply concerned about Yemen’s protracted conflict, which has caused economic collapse and a severe humanitarian crisis. We believe a diplomatic and political resolution is essential and urge all parties to prioritize dialogue, engage in a Yemeni-led process, and seek peaceful solution. Pakistan fully supports UN and regional efforts, particularly by Saudi Arabia and Oman, to achieve a political settlement based on agreed frameworks.
 
9.​​We remain concerned by reported Israeli threats to conduct further attacks against Iran. This will create a grave threat to regional and international peace and security. Despite the hostile rhetoric, it is our hope that all peoples will seek to revive the JCPOA on equitable terms. This should contribute significantly to realizing durable peace and security across the Middle East.
 
Excellencies, 

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
 
10.​​The principles of self-determination and the non-acquisition of territory by the use or threat of use of force are fundamental for the maintenance of world order. Respect for these principles is critical to realize just solutions for Palestine as well as for the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. In both cases, implementation of these principles is essential to end foreign occupation and realize freedom.
 
11.​​The situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir is grave – with the continuing oppression of its people by the 900,000 Indian occupation forces. The sufferings of the Kashmiris are being hidden from sight due to the complete information blackout imposed by India. Like Israel in Palestine, India is seeking to brutally suppress the Kashmiris and bring in settlers from all over India to transform occupied Kashmir from a Muslim majority to a Hindu majority territory. Moreover, with the aggressive statements being issued from India against Pakistan, including threats to cross the LoC and “take over” Azad Kashmir, the danger of another India-Pakistan conflict cannot be discounted.
 
12.​​Pakistan will take steps to highlight the situation in Kashmir within the Security Council as well as in the Human Rights Council and other relevant bodies. We have sought the good offices of the UN Secretary-General to promote a dialogue designed to secure a settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Charter, the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. We hope the Secretary-General will not be deterred from utilizing his commendable authority under the Charter to promote a just and peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. We also extend our gratitude to the OIC for its unwavering support of the Kashmir cause. The convening of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir on the margins of the 50th Session of the OIC-CFM in Yaoundé, Cameroon, was a clear testament to this enduring commitment.
 
13.​​Pakistan is also concerned by the renewed threat of terrorism from Afghanistan. We are facing daily attacks by the TTP (Fitna Al-Khawarij) from its safe havens in Afghanistan. Pakistan will take all necessary steps to put an end to these terrorist attacks. Some Afghans in Pakistan present illegally or as refugees, have participated unfortunately in terrorist and criminal activities. It is, therefore, essential for Pakistan to repatriate them to their country.
 
14.​​At the same time, we are cognizant of the poverty and suffering of millions of the Afghan people. We are doing all possible to facilitate humanitarian assistance for the 20 million destitute people in Afghanistan. We support Afghanistan’s economic revival, through the release of its frozen resources and implementation of the connectivity projects between Central Asia and Pakistan through Afghanistan.
 
15.​​Pakistan believes that the international community should adopt a comprehensive strategy outlining a road map of actions to be taken by the Afghan interim government, including counter-terrorism and respect for the rights of women and girls, and those reciprocal steps which the international community can take to promote Afghanistan’s economic and social development and the normalization of its relations with the international community.
 
16.​​A number of other African issues of interest to the OIC are under consideration in the Security Council, including Libya, Sudan, Sahel and Somalia. Pakistan will work with other OIC and African countries to promote effective solutions to these situations where the challenges of international terrorism, organized crime, external intervention and the exploitation of national resources are all intertwined.
 
17.​​For the OIC and for the majority of UN Member States, the UN remains an indispensible platform and modality for international cooperation to promote security, peace and development. The OIC must be adequately represented in all the main organs of the UN, especially the Security Council. The OIC Group in New York must assume a leadership role in securing the equitable reform of the Security Council, the revitalization of the UN General Assembly, and the reform of the unequal international financial system.
 
18.​​Islamophobia remains a persistent and alarming challenge, demanding urgent action. Pakistan urges the OIC Group in New York to strengthen its unified call to the Secretary General for the swift appointment of the UN Special Envoy, as any further delay beyond 15 March 2025 would undermine the objectives of Resolution 78/264. The OIC Group must also remain actively engaged in formulation of the Secretary-General’s Action Plan to combat Islamophobia, ensuring sustained progress and impact. I am pleased to share that during last year’s OIC Summit in Gambia, we successfully appointed a Special Envoy of the OIC Secretary-General on Islamophobia
 
19.​​I look forward to benefiting from your views and guidance especially on the issues of direct interest to the OIC on the agenda of the Security Council.

I thank you.

Islamabad
17 February 2025