The Israel-Hamas war has been going on for more than a year and has resulted in civilian casualties, dislodgement, and destruction of infrastructure that demands the world’s attention. The conflict disperses from the Gaza Strip to other parts of the Middle East, such as Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. Recently, the involvement of Iran in the war has intensified an already deteriorating situation.
In this devastating war, other countries of the world either support Israel or Palestine. Therefore, Israel is backed by almost 84 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Norway, Austria, Germany, India, Canada, Poland, Spain, and even other members of the European Union. On the other hand, including Pakistan, other members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Russia, China, South Africa, Chile, and Bolivia have extended their support to Palestine.
Pakistan actively condemns Israel’s strike on Palestine and urges the international bodies to halt the war and make an effort to ceasefire. Pakistan is diplomatically supporting Palestine but is not in favor of direct military engagement with Israel. Many Islamic scholars in Pakistan argue that the country should consider confrontation. However, the government refrains from taking this step. This article highlights how Pakistan diplomatically supports Palestine and examines the reasons preventing direct military involvement.
Pakistan has been providing diplomatic support to Palestine since its independence in 1947. Pakistan advocated Palestinian rights and defendant many UN resolutions for the independent status of Palestine, such as UN General Assembly Resolution 181 (1947)- the partition plan, UN General Assembly Resolution 3236 (1947)- recognition of Palestinian rights, UN General Assembly Resolution 67/19 (2012)- non-member observer state status, Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973)- the basis for a two-state solution. In the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 2024, Pakistan’s PM addressed the international community that this is not just conflict; this is the systematic slaughter of innocent Palestinians and urged international bodies to protect Palestinian rights and save the ingenuous Palestinians from further genocide. Moreover, the permanent representative of the UN, Munir Akram, has actively endorsed freeing Palestine. Pakistan always believes in international law and hopes that the UN will resolve the Israel-Palestine dispute and does not wish to intervene militarily.
Furthermore, every year, the Government of Pakistan provides free education for Palestinian students, and recently, more than 145 students arrived in Pakistan to resume their medical and dental studies that ceased during the Israel-Gaza war. Likewise, Pakistan’s NGOs, especially the Alkhidmat Foundation, have been working tirelessly in Gaza to provide medical assistance to wounded people, distribute fresh food to displaced families, provide shelter to those who have lost their homes, and help abandoned children unite with their parents. Whatever Pakistan has had in its hands, it’s doing for Palestine, but Pakistan is not in a situation to engage in a war with Israel.
One of the biggest reasons for Pakistan to not militarily intervene in the war is its domestic instability. The country is already facing major internal crises, geo-political tension, border disputes, security issues, terrorism, dependency on the cycle of IMF bailout, political instability, and insurgent movements. Pakistan had fought four major wars with neighboring country India in the disputed region of Kashmir. Pakistan is also dealing with a historical boundary dilemma with its neighboring country, Afghanistan, on the Durand-Line border dispute. After the 9/11 war on terror, Pakistan has been enduring terrorism from the border of Afghanistan because it is harboring anti-Pakistan militant groups, especially Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to the Global Terrorism Index 2023, Pakistan stood 8 out of 50 countries with the highest impact of terrorism. Moreover, according to UNHCR 2023, Pakistan has hosted refugees and is ranked 4th largest refugee-hosting country. Other than this, according to the Climate Risk Index 2023, Pakistan has ranked fifth most vulnerable country due to climate change. According to the IMF, Pakistan is the fifth largest debtor and has sought 23 times for loans due to economic instability. These critical circumstances don’t allow Pakistan to fight a war on behalf of another country.
The Soviet-Afghan War (1979–1989) and the War on Terror following 9/11 are just two examples of the hostilities that Pakistan has traditionally hosted inside its borders. Due to the long-lasting effects of these involvements, Pakistan currently tries to stay out of direct military wars abroad. Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s attacks, particularly those that target civilians, and expresses solidarity with Palestine, but it also highlights the necessity of international engagement to safeguard justice and international law. Pakistan has exhorted the UN Security Council to endorse a two-state solution, encourage a truce, and assist in a peaceful resolution. Pakistan continues to be dedicated to peace, prosperity, and the goal of a free Palestine while steadfastly supporting the sovereignty of all states. Pakistan supports Palestinian rights while advancing its national interests by emphasizing diplomatic channels over direct intervention.
The author is pursuing his BS degree in International Relation from University of Sindh, Jamshoro & an intern at IPRI, Islamabad. He can be reached at mehranjarwar0@gmail.com.
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