Addressing the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Pakistan’s Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said talks hosted by Islamabad on April 11-12 were made possible through Pakistan’s active engagement and outreach, aimed at securing an immediate end to strikes and counterstrikes.

“Through the Islamabad process, Pakistan is pursuing the objective of ending the war and ensuring long‑term peace,” he said. Ambassador Ahmad stressed the importance of protecting shipping and seafarers, calling for the safe passage of all vessels and the rapid restoration of international maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy and trade.

He said Pakistan is already feeling the economic impact of the conflict, not only through higher energy costs but also through rising prices of fertilisers and other essential commodities. These pressures, he warned, are “squeezing the livelihoods of the most vulnerable”. “If disruptions persist, suffering will become widespread,” Ahmad said, adding that a return to peace would benefit all countries. He urged the earliest possible reopening of the strait and normalisation of the situation.

Meanwhile, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) welcomed the ceasefire announcement by United States President Donald Trump relating to Lebanon, urging all parties to prioritise the protection of civilian lives.

Despite the pause in fighting, the IOM warned that the scale of displacement remains severe. More than one million people have been uprooted, with 141 000 sheltering in overcrowded collective sites. Families are sharing single classrooms, often without heating or privacy, while thousands more are sleeping in cars or on the streets.

The agency cautioned that the crisis is far from over, as much of Lebanon’s infrastructure has been destroyed. “Families cannot return to homes that no longer exist,” the IOM said, calling for sustained international funding to prevent displacement from becoming prolonged, potentially lasting years.

–UN/ChannelAfrica–