Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, strongly denounced Israel’s strike on Qatar during an emergency UN Security Council (UNSC) session on the Middle East, calling it a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Speaking at the UNSC, Ambassador Iftikhar said the attack was not only an assault on Qatar’s sovereignty but also a threat to global peace and security.

“This reckless and provocative strike is a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter, undermining the very principles that safeguard peace among nations,” he noted.

He stressed that the timing of the attack was especially damaging, coming as sensitive negotiations on a Gaza peace deal were moving towards a breakthrough.

Targeting the territory of a principal mediator, he warned, was a deliberate attempt to derail diplomacy, sabotage peace efforts, and prolong the suffering of innocent civilians.

While the UNSC condemned the strikes on Doha, its statement stopped short of directly naming Israel. Still, all 15 members, including the United States, backed the condemnation.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s full support for Qatar’s mediation efforts, Iftikhar reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to a two-state solution, warning that Israel’s aggression threatened regional stability and the chances for a just peace.

“This brazen and illegal assault is part of a broader pattern of aggression that cannot be ignored. Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Qatar, and with the international community’s call for peace,” he declared.

He further cautioned that Israel’s destructive policies, emboldened by weak international responses, were incompatible with the global pursuit of peace and stability.

Turning to the issue of water security, Ambassador Iftikhar raised concerns about the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a lifeline for Pakistan.

He emphasized that water must never be weaponized, and noted that despite political tensions, the treaty had endured as a framework for cooperation for more than six decades.

He warned that India’s suspension of regular water-data sharing raised fears of either water blockages or sudden flooding, which could devastate communities already reeling from climate-induced disasters.

With fresh floods hitting Pakistan, he underscored that joint water management was not optional, but essential to protect vulnerable populations and prevent humanitarian crises.