New York, September 12, 2025: Pakistan strongly condemned Israel’s strike on Qatar during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday, calling it a blatant violation of international law and an assault on regional peace efforts.
Addressing the UNSC, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, said the attack was a “reckless and provocative” move that violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Qatar.
“At a time when delicate negotiations on the Gaza peace deal were moving towards a breakthrough, striking the territory of a principal mediator is a deliberate attempt to sabotage diplomacy, derail peace efforts, and prolong civilian suffering,” Iftikhar told the Council.
The UNSC condemned the strikes on Qatar’s capital, Doha, though its joint statement—endorsed by all 15 members, including the United States—stopped short of explicitly naming Israel.
Ambassador Iftikhar reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Qatar’s mediation role in the Middle East and reiterated Islamabad’s backing of a two-state solution. He accused Israel of pursuing a “broader, consistent pattern of aggression,” emboldened by what he described as the Council’s weak response and inaction.
“Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Qatar,” the envoy declared, warning that international law must not be undermined by impunity.
In his speech, Iftikhar also touched upon South Asia’s water disputes, stressing that water should “never be used as a weapon.” Referring to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), he underlined that the six-decade-old accord remained Pakistan’s lifeline and “cannot be suspended unilaterally by any party.”
The envoy voiced concern over India’s suspension of regular water-flow data sharing, warning that it could either block flows to Pakistan or trigger floods by releasing large volumes of water suddenly.
“At a time when devastating floods have once again hit Pakistan, cooperation over water management is not a choice but a necessity,” he said.
