United Nations, August 21, 2025(Kamran Raja): Pakistan has reaffirmed its unwavering support for a sovereign, unified, and peaceful Syria while urging the international community to prioritize the alleviation of the Syrian people’s suffering. Speaking at the UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Syria, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, acknowledged the Syrian government’s efforts in dialogue, national cooperation, and regional outreach. He stressed, however, that the foremost priority must remain addressing the dire humanitarian needs of the Syrian people. The Ambassador highlighted that over 16 million Syrians remain in urgent need of assistance, with children facing alarming levels of hunger and malnutrition as access to safe water, health care, and education continues to collapse. He regretted that humanitarian appeals remain underfunded and called for urgent action to ensure adequate resources for the UN’s response plan.
Ambassador Jadoon welcomed progress on political transition, including the planned parliamentary elections in September, underscoring that the credibility of the process will hinge on inclusivity, with all political and social groups having a genuine stake in shaping Syria’s future. Expressing concern over developments in Suweida, the Western Coast, and the Northeast, he warned against external interference or manipulation of local communities, which could deepen divisions. He condemned all violence against civilians, called for accountability of perpetrators, and emphasized the need for genuine international support to avoid the creation of new fault lines. The Ambassador also underscored persistent security threats, noting that Da’esh and other foreign terrorist fighters, including ETIM affiliates, continue to destabilize Syria. He called for a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy focused on prevention, disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
Strongly condemning repeated Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty in Suweida, Daraa, Damascus, and the occupied Syrian Golan, Ambassador Jadoon stressed that such acts are in blatant violation of international law, the UN Charter, and Security Council resolutions. He concluded by underscoring that Syria’s path to peace requires international solidarity, respect for sovereignty, and practical support to address humanitarian and economic challenges. Pakistan, he affirmed, will continue to stand in full solidarity with the Syrian people and support all efforts for a peaceful and prosperous Syria.