NEW YORK (Web Desk) – Pakistan declared at the United Nations that the architecture of global stability and prosperity at the seminal juncture of the UN’s 70th anniversary, cannot be built on injustice and denial of the rights of the Palestinian people.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi also urged the Security Council to live up to its obligations and responsibility, and summon the political courage and vision to adopt a resolution with parameters and timelines for ending occupation.
Speaking at a High-level Conference “Sustaining Human Development and Protecting Rights of Palestine Refugees”, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative appreciated the commitment of UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees to protect the rights of these refugees and being in the forefront in providing services, despite hurdles created by Israeli occupation forces.
She recalled the destruction of UNRWA schools being used by those displaced during Israel’s military assault on Gaza in summer of 2014.
Expressing support to the legitimate cause of the Palestinian people as well as UNRWA’s work Ambassador Lodhi called for an end to the constant delays in the realization of the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
Expressing concern over the unsustainable gap between the income and expenditure of UNRWA, which has reached critical proportions, Ambassador Lodhi urged donors to come forward to meet these urgent needs with generous support.
In addition to its annual contribution, Pakistan provided additional assistance to UNRWA for reconstruction and rehabilitation in the aftermath of the conflict in Gaza last year.
Ambassador Lodhi urged others member states to expeditiously fulfill pledges made at the Cairo Conference to alleviate the suffering of Palestinian refugees.
She said that humanitarian assistance was necessary but not sufficient to address the tragedy of the Palestinian people.
“A solution to the conflict cannot come through humanitarian measures alone, but through the creation of a viable, independent and contiguous State of Palestine and an acceptable resolution of the refugee issue,” she added.
Ambassador Lodhi called upon the Security Council to take action to end occupation.
She added, “This is also the only sustainable way to help UNRWA’s work in the long term”.
