Pakistan has called for settlement of the Middle East conflict by establishing an independent State of Palestine with East Jerusalem its capital. This was stated by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi, while taking part in a debate in General Assembly's Fourth Committee on a UN Special Committee report on Israeli atrocities and human rights violations in occupied Palestine.
She said a durable peace in the region can only be achieved through political means, and not by using live ammunition against unarmed civilians. The Pakistani envoy also stressed the need for an immediate end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza, now in its eighth year. Dr Maleeha Lodhi said a long-term solution requires the withdrawal of occupation forces from all Arab lands, including Lebanon and Syrian Golan Heights.