Pakistan Warns Gaza-Hormuz Crisis Could Hit Regional Stability

Pakistan has urged urgent diplomacy at the United Nations as tensions from Gaza to the Strait of Hormuz continue to raise fears of a wider regional crisis with direct consequences for global security and Pakistan’s economy.

Speaking during a UN Security Council debate, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, warned that the Middle East situation remained highly unstable because several conflicts were now overlapping rather than unfolding in isolation.

The envoy said Pakistan believed restraint, respect for international law and adherence to the UN Charter were essential to prevent further escalation. He stressed that diplomatic engagement must remain the central tool for reducing tensions before the crisis spreads into new theatres.

Ahmad placed the Palestinian question at the heart of the debate, saying long-term peace in the region could not be achieved without addressing the unresolved issue of Palestine. He also pointed to worsening conditions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including settlement expansion and violence against Palestinians.

On Gaza, Pakistan called for sustained and unhindered humanitarian assistance, arguing that any ceasefire must be protected through practical steps on the ground. The envoy said relief operations needed to be expanded so civilians could receive food, medicine and essential supplies without obstruction.

The Pakistani representative also linked the Middle East crisis to economic risks created by tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most sensitive energy routes. Any disruption in that corridor can quickly affect fuel prices, shipping costs and inflationary pressures in countries such as Pakistan.

Pakistan has repeatedly tried to position itself as a diplomatic bridge during recent regional tensions, maintaining contact with key international actors while calling for de-escalation. Islamabad’s message at the UN reflected concern that instability in the Middle East could deepen financial stress for energy-importing economies.

For Pakistan, the stakes are both diplomatic and domestic. Higher oil prices or disruptions in supply routes could add pressure on inflation, widen import costs and complicate economic planning at a time when the country is already trying to stabilise growth and public finances.

The next phase will depend on whether international powers can revive serious diplomacy and preserve humanitarian access in Gaza while preventing maritime tensions from escalating. Pakistan is expected to continue pressing for dialogue, restraint and a political settlement rooted in international law.