UNITED NATIONS, Friday, January 16, 2026 (WNP) Pakistan has warned that the world’s escalating crises are largely the result of persistent violations of international law and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter, cautioning that such breaches are placing global peace and security under unprecedented strain.
Speaking during the General Assembly debate on the Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said that the erosion of fundamental norms—including the non-use or threat of force, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful settlement of disputes, and the right to self-determination—lies at the heart of today’s conflicts.
He noted that ongoing wars and instability across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa have severely undermined international peace and security, while continued denial of the right to self-determination in several regions further weakens the credibility of the international system.
In this context, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar specifically referred to the situations in Palestine and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the failure to address long-standing disputes in accordance with international law and UN resolutions fuels instability and perpetuates human suffering.
THE PAKISTANI ENVOY STRESSED THAT SELECTIVE APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND DOUBLE STANDARDS RISK ERODING TRUST IN MULTILATERAL INSTITUTIONS, PARTICULARLY AT A TIME WHEN COLLECTIVE ACTION IS ESSENTIAL TO ADDRESS COMPLEX GLOBAL CHALLENGES.
He called for renewed commitment by all member states to uphold the UN Charter in both letter and spirit, emphasizing that sustainable peace can only be achieved through respect for international law, dialogue, and genuine multilateral cooperation.
