New York: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, emphasized that Pakistan is ready and capable of defending itself against any act of aggression, while also expressing a desire to prevent further escalation in the region. He made these remarks during a briefing with New York-based Pakistani journalists on the regional situation and Pakistan’s efforts to inform UN officials about the threats to regional peace and stability arising from Indian actions.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ambassador Asim highlighted that India’s disinformation campaign has been exposed, and stressed that mutual friends advocating for de-escalation understand who is impeding the process. He shared that he recently held meetings with the UN Secretary General and the President of the UN General Assembly to discuss the potential escalation of tensions between Pakistan and India.

The Ambassador also engaged with Ambassadors of the OIC Group in New York, detailing the gravity of the regional situation. He mentioned that all options are being considered, including the possibility of convening a UN Security Council meeting at a suitable time. Ambassador Asim has consulted with UN Security Council members to ensure their awareness and understanding of the situation.

In his statements, Ambassador Asim underscored Pakistan’s commitment to acting as a responsible state by calling for a third-party neutral, credible, and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam incident. He expressed Pakistan’s openness to UN Secretary General’s involvement in mitigating the crisis.

Furthermore, he expressed gratitude to the OIC for supporting Pakistan and advocating for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, in accordance with the UNSC resolution.