Asif Mahmood
Pakistan’s recent stance at the United Nations against Israeli brutality has earned admiration, but this is not a new role.
By the grace of Allah, Pakistan has been raising its voice for Palestine since the first day of its existence. This is not a sudden awakening but the continuation of a noble legacy.
For more than seven decades, Pakistan has fought Palestine’s case at the UN with consistency and courage. The fact that the Palestinian cause still holds weight in international law owes much to Pakistan’s principled position.
From the earliest days of independence, Pakistan refused to recognize Israel and stood firmly with the Palestinian struggle for freedom, dignity, and statehood. This has never been ordinary diplomacy. It has always been a matter of pride, a moral duty, and a reflection of the vision on which our state was founded. This is why Pakistan must remain strong. Governments come and go, but only a stable and sovereign Pakistan can continue to be the voice of the oppressed and the defender of Palestine.
The UN archives are full of proof. In 1947, during the debates on the partition plan, Pakistan opposed the division of Palestine, warning it would bring injustice and conflict. In 1949, Pakistan rejected Israel’s membership in the UN, arguing that a state created through dispossession could not be legitimized. In the years that followed, Pakistan supported resolutions affirming Palestinian rights, such as Resolution 3236 (1974), which reaffirmed their inalienable rights, and Resolution 3379 (1975), which declared Zionism a form of racism.
Pakistan’s diplomats have always spoken with professionalism, but what sets them apart is the passion with which they speak for Palestine. It is not routine diplomacy; it is heartfelt and principled. Palestine’s pain runs deep in Pakistan’s conscience, and our stance becomes more than foreign policy—it becomes an expression of solidarity and faith.
This bond is beyond treaties and conferences. Palestine is part of Pakistan’s own moral fabric. At the OIC, Pakistan has stood among the strongest advocates for Palestine. In 2021, when Gaza faced bombardment, Pakistan told the UN that Israel’s actions were war crimes and demanded accountability under international law. Such positions, taken despite pressure, show Pakistan’s unwavering moral compass.
It may even be said that Pakistan has fought Palestine’s case with more passion than it has sometimes fought for its own. The lesson for our youth is clear: Pakistan is not just another country on the map. It is a blessing, a trust, given responsibilities greater than itself. When Pakistan speaks for Palestine, it is fulfilling that trust. When it stands with the oppressed, it is acting on its deepest values.
Pakistan is a blessing from Allah, and it must be valued, protected, and strengthened. Only a strong and sovereign Pakistan can safeguard its own people and stand as the unwavering voice of the oppressed, ensuring that causes like Palestine never stand alone.