Foreign envoys urge Pakistan to condemn Russia’s war on Ukraine

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Around two dozen foreign ambassadors to Pakistan, including the two veto powers – the UK and France – on Tuesday urged Islamabad to condemn the Russia’s war on Ukraine during the ongoing special session of the UN General Assembly.

The international community “must work in solidarity and support and uphold the rules-based international order in these extreme times,” they said in a joint letter to Pakistan.

The letter was signed by the heads of the missions of Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, the UK, and the EU delegation to Pakistan.

- 'Mass exodus of women and children is underway'

Some 100 countries are expected to address the UN General Assembly, which is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution on Ukraine, tentatively expected on Wednesday, according to a UN statement.

The envoys recalled that a draft resolution was presented in the UN Security Council on Feb. 25, which was vetoed by Moscow, while China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstained. Three permanent members and eight non-permanent members supported the resolution.

“We deplore the loss of life and humanitarian suffering as innocent civilians are being targeted and a mass exodus of women and children is underway into neighboring countries from Ukraine, an independent and sovereign state and member of the United Nations,” the letter further read.

“This is unacceptable in Europe, as it is anywhere in the world," it said.

- Pakistan to stay neutral

Islamabad would not “take sides” on the Ukraine issue in the UN General Assembly session, local English daily Dawn reported, citing an unnamed senior Foreign Ministry official.

“We support a peaceful and negotiated settlement (of the issue),” the official was quoted as saying.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a two-day maiden visit to Moscow last week amid heightened tensions in the region.