ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomat to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, urged the international community to reaffirm it commitment to multilateralism and collective action during a Security Council meeting convened by China on Wednesday.
An informal session, the meeting provided a platform to the member states to discuss the challenges posed by unilateral actions in the current global context.
Ambassador Ahmad highlighted the unraveling of longstanding norms that underpin global peace and cooperation, emphasizing the need to revive faith in multilateralism.
“History reminds us that enduring peace and sustainable solutions have never come from unilateral actions or coercive practices,” he said. “They emanate from inclusion, respect, shared purpose and unified responses.”
The Pakistani diplomat also called for reforms in the international trading system to better reflect the aspirations and needs of developing countries.
“Trade should be a bridge, not a barrier — a vehicle for peace and shared prosperity, not domination or isolation,” he added.
Ahmad underscored the importance of empowering the UN to lead global development cooperation and champion equitable systems of trade, finance and climate governance.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering belief in multilateralism and the central role of the world body in fostering a fairer, more peaceful and compassionate international order.
The UN meeting was held at a time when the international community faces increasing polarization, with wars, inequality, economic instability and climate change threatening global peace and security.
Pakistan calls for revival of multilateralism at UN amid rising global tensions
https://arab.news/jxwu7
Pakistan calls for revival of multilateralism at UN amid rising global tensions
- Ambassador Ahmad highlights the unraveling of longstanding norms supporting global peace
- He says international trade should reflect the aspirations and needs of developing countries
Curfew extended in Gilgit-Baltistan, probe ordered after deadly Khamenei protests
- At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Government also announces a de-weaponization campaign, crackdown on hate speech and cybercrime in region
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region on Tuesday extended a curfew in Gilgit district and ordered a judicial probe into violent protests over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes last week, an official said.
At least 15 people were killed in clashes with law enforcement agencies over the weekend in GB, where protesters torched and vandalized several buildings, including United Nations regional offices, an army-run school, software technology park and a local charity building.
The violence prompted regional authorities to impose curfew in Gilgit and Skardu districts on March 2-4 as officials urged people to stay indoors and cooperate with law enforcers, amid widespread anger in Pakistan, particularly among members of the Shiite minority, over Khamenei’s killing.
On Tuesday, the GB government convened to review the situation and announced the extension of curfew in Gilgit among a number of security measures as well as ordered the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the weekend violence in the region.
“The government has made it clear that the law will strictly take its course against elements involved in vandalism at government institutions, private properties and incidents of vandalism in Gilgit and Skardu and no kind of mischief will be tolerated,” Shabbir Mir, a GB government spokesperson, said in a statement.
“In view of the security situation, curfew will remain in force in Gilgit, while the decision to extend the curfew in Skardu will be taken keeping the ground realities and the changing situation in view.”
The statement did not specify how long the curfew will remain in place in Gilgit.
Besides the formation of the judicial commission to investigate the violent clashes, the government also decided to launch a large-scale de-weaponization campaign in the entire Gilgit district, for which relevant institutions have been directed to immediately complete all necessary arrangements, according to Mir.
In addition, a crackdown has been ordered on hate speech, spread of fake news and cybercrime.
“The aim of these decisions is to ensure the rule of law, protect the lives and property of citizens and crack down on miscreants,” he said. “Approval has also been given to immediately survey the affected infrastructure and start their restoration work on priority basis.”
Demonstrators in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi also stormed the US Consulate on Sunday, smashing windows and attempting to burn the building. Police responded with batons, tear gas, and gunfire, leaving 10 people dead and more than 50 injured.
Pakistani authorities have since beefed up security at US diplomatic missions across the country, including around the US consulate building in Peshawar, to avoid any further violence.
