ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has welcomed what it described as growing signs of recovery and political progress in Syria, urging continued United Nations engagement, stronger international support and full respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Addressing a UN Security Council briefing on the humanitarian and political situation in Syria on Friday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said sustained UN engagement remained essential for supporting a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political process.
He said Pakistan appreciated the Syrian government’s efforts to insulate the country from destabilizing regional developments during a critical phase of transition and recovery.
The ambassador pointed to what he called encouraging indicators of renewed trust, citing increased returns of displaced Syrians. Referring to UN estimates, he said more than three million Syrians, including internally displaced persons and refugees abroad, had returned since late 2024.
He also highlighted developments related to accountability and transitional justice, including work on a draft transitional justice law, and stressed that reconciliation and healing based on due process were necessary for durable peace.
On the political front, Ambassador Asim said Syria’s transition was making gradual but meaningful progress. He welcomed efforts to strengthen institutional arrangements and expressed hope that recent developments in northeastern Syria would move forward inclusively under the broader transitional framework.
He stressed that a credible, inclusive and Syrian-owned political transition remained vital for long-term peace, stability and unity.
Warns of Daesh threat
At the same time, the Pakistani envoy warned that terrorist activity in parts of Syria continued to threaten national and regional security. He called for coordinated counter-terrorism efforts against ISIL/Da’esh and other militant groups, including foreign terrorist fighters.
Ambassador Asim also condemned continued Israeli incursions and violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, describing them as unacceptable and destabilizing. He said the UN Security Council must ensure respect for relevant resolutions and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
He said the gradual lifting of sanctions could provide an important opportunity for Syria’s economic recovery, reconstruction and reintegration into regional and global markets, adding that such steps should bring tangible and lasting benefits to the Syrian people.
The ambassador further urged the international community to close the humanitarian funding gap and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the government and people of Syria in their efforts toward peace, stability and prosperity.
.jpg)
