Ashraf AboArafe
On this solemn International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Government and people of Pakistan reaffirm—with unwavering resolve and unshakable conviction—their steadfast support for the people of Palestine. For generations, the Palestinians have endured one of the most profound human tragedies of our era: denied their fundamental right to self-determination, dispossessed of their land, and robbed of the quiet peace every nation deserves.
In recent years, the world has borne witness to the martyrdom of more than 70,000 innocent lives in Gaza—children, women, and men engulfed by relentless violence. Entire neighbourhoods were razed, families erased from existence, and the essential pillars of life—homes, hospitals, schools, and civic infrastructure—reduced to dust.
Yet amid this unimaginable suffering, the people of Palestine have stood with exemplary resilience, holding fast to hope, identity, and justice. Their courage reflects the indomitable spirit of a people determined to rise above oppression and defend their rightful cause.
In the face of these grave realities, there must be full, credible accountability for the war crimes and genocidal acts perpetrated against the Palestinians, in accordance with international law.
A moment of genuine opportunity has now emerged through the High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution and the proposed Gaza Peace Plan. A sustained ceasefire is essential. Israel must halt all violations and guarantee unhindered humanitarian access. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) must be fully empowered to resume its indispensable operations—free from pressure, politicization, or obstruction. Above all, there must be a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied Palestinian territories, including Gaza, ensuring that the Palestinian people can finally secure lasting peace and a dignified future.
As the world condemns the atrocities in Gaza, global attention must also remain fixed on the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, where the expansion of illegal settlements continues to violate international law and obstruct every path to peace.
Pakistan’s commitment remains unwavering. We stand for a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question, grounded in the relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. Pakistan fully supports the Palestinians’ legitimate rights, foremost among them the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, viable, contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Today—and always—Pakistan stands with Palestine:
In their just struggle,
In their enduring resilience,
And in their rightful aspiration for freedom, dignity, and peace.
