Secretary, National Security Division, Waqar Ahmad led the Pakistan delegation at the 19th regular meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils
By Sadaf Sundas Riaz
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Secretary, National Security Division, Waqar Ahmad led the Pakistan delegation at the 19th regular meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils (SSC) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Astana, Kazakhstan on 3 April 2024.
Islamabad : The SSC forum discussed strategic security issues affecting SCO member States with focus on terrorism and extremism, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, transnational organized crime, international information security and misuse of internet. The situations in Afghanistan and the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, were also discussed.
In his statement, Secretary, National Security Division warned about far-reaching consequences of terrorist acts for the entire region and stressed the need for adopting a comprehensive approach to address the root causes. He termed peaceful and stable Afghanistan, a strategic imperative for regional prosperity and called upon all SCO member States to follow a holistic policy and build on broad convergences with the SCO region to address multifaceted challenges confronting Afghanistan.
Reiterating Pakistan’s strict adherence to multilateralism, Mr. Ahmad stressed that international peace and security should be promoted through strict adherence to the principles of the UN Charter and faithful implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions.
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, was elected as the Chair of the substantive session of the UN Disarmament Commission for 2024. He was elected by acclamation on the nomination of the Asia-Pacific Group. We are confident that during his chairmanship, Ambassador Jadoon will uphold the principles of multilateralism, dialogue and collaboration and “promote the mandate of the UN Disarmament Commission to consider and make recommendations on various problems in the field of disarmament.”
The crimes of Israeli authorities continue unabated in the Middle East. Israel’s adventurism in the region reached a new height with its irresponsible attack this week on the Consular Section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria. The attack is a violation of UN Charter and international law and conventions.
This week’s targeted strikes on the “World Central Kitchen” convoy in Gaza is also not an isolated incident. Over the past six months, Israeli authorities have been involved in gross and systematic violations of international humanitarian law by repeatedly targeting UNRWA, humanitarian relief organizations and unarmed civilians.
Deliberate targeting of a humanitarian convoy, bringing food to people facing famine, is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. The attack has taken place at a time when Israel is creating hurdles in UNRWA’s efforts to bring food and vital lifesaving aid to the people of Gaza. We condemn these atrocities and call for international accountability of Israel for its crimes against humanity.
We also call for immediate, full and effective implementation of the provisional orders of the International Court of Justice in January 2024.
Pakistan welcomes the additional provisional measures ordered by International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 28th March 2024 in the backdrop of the deteriorating situation in Gaza.
The latest ICJ ruling confirms further exacerbation of an already grave situation in Gaza, with famine setting in as a result of continued Israeli obstruction of humanitarian aid, food and other basic necessities. The Court has reiterated its injunction calling for unobstructed provision of humanitarian assistance including food, water, electricity, fuel and medical supplies to Palestinians throughout Gaza.
The decision by the ICJ confirms that Israel continues to defy the earlier measures announced by the ICJ in January 2024, for which Israel must be held accountable.
We also reiterate our call for the full and expeditious implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 2728 adopted on 25th March, leading to a permanent ceasefire, lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance, and ensuring protection of civilians throughout the Gaza Strip.
As the holy month of Ramazan comes to an end, the Indian occupation authorities have once again decided to deny permission to hold Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Eidgah in Srinagar. The chief cleric of Srinagar’s historic Jama Mosque and senior Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has also been placed under house detention in order to prevent him from attending an event held in the memory of one of his ancestors, late Mirwaiz Molvi Muhammad Yousuf Shah.
The Indian authorities are in the habit of enforcing such curbs in Srinagar for past several years. Imposing restrictions on Kashmiri religious leaders and restraining the Kashmiri public from congregating on special religious occasions have become pervasive in IIOJK. We urge the Indian authorities to respect the right of the people of IIOJK to peaceful assembly and to freely practice their religion.
Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.