ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, along with Muslim-majority countries, has reiterated its firm support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), warning that any weakening of the agency’s operations would lead to serious humanitarian and political repercussions across the Middle East.
In a joint statement issued late Friday by Pakistan Foreign Office, the foreign ministries of Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates emphasized UNRWA's "indispensable role" in providing critical services to Palestinian refugees.
The statement, which came amid escalating humanitarian challenges in Gaza, highlighted UNRWA’s unique mandate, established by UN General Assembly Resolution 302 in 1949, which allows the agency to provide vital protection, education, healthcare, social services, and emergency assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees.
The ministers also welcomed the UN General Assembly’s recent decision to extend UNRWA’s mandate for another three years, underlining continued international confidence in the agency’s ability to meet the needs of refugees.
They stressed that the agency’s operations in Gaza are vital, particularly during the ongoing humanitarian crisis, as UNRWA’s distribution network has been delivering food, relief supplies, and other essential aid in a fair and efficient manner in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
“UNRWA schools and health centers remain a lifeline for Gaza’s refugees,” the statement noted, praising the agency’s staff for providing essential education and healthcare services in extremely challenging conditions.
The ministers further stated that no other entity possesses the infrastructure or expertise necessary to meet the needs of Palestinian refugees, adding that any weakening of UNRWA’s capacity would have “grave humanitarian, social, and political consequences across the region.”
The joint statement also called on the international community to ensure predictable and sustainable funding for UNRWA, urging that the agency be given the “political and operational space” to continue its work in all five of its mandated fields.
Supporting UNRWA, the ministers stated, is crucial for maintaining regional stability, preserving human dignity, and upholding the rights of Palestinian refugees until a just and lasting solution is achieved in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, including General Assembly Resolution 194.
The statement also condemned the recent Israeli forces’ storming of the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.
Terming the assault a “flagrant violation of international law,” the ministers called it an unacceptable escalation and a direct violation of the inviolability of UN premises.
They further cited the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which affirmed that Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated to facilitate, not hinder, UNRWA's operations.
The ministers underscored the importance of continued international support for UNRWA to ensure that it can continue its vital work for Palestinian refugees, emphasizing the agency’s irreplaceable role in the region’s stability and the preservation of Palestinian rights.
