Pakistan’s foreign policy is based on justice, international law, and support for oppressed people. One clear example is its strong support for Palestine. Since the start of the Pakistan Movement, even before 1947, Pakistan has spoken up for Palestinian rights.
At the United Nations and other world forums, Pakistan has stood against the Israeli occupation and called for justice. This article looks at how Pakistan has supported Palestine over time, from before independence, through important UN votes, and into 2025, where Pakistan still calls for a free Palestinian state and an end to the occupation.
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Before Pakistan: Quaid-e-Azam’s Early Advocacy for Palestine
Source: Office of the Historian
Long before Pakistan was created, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the country, spoke against the unfair treatment of Palestinians. As the leader of the All-India Muslim League, he strongly opposed British control and Zionist plans in Palestine.
In 1945, Jinnah warned that creating a Zionist state in Palestine would break the rights of Arab people. He said it would also bring conflict to the region and upset Muslims around the world. In one of his well-known statements, he said:
“The Muslims of India will not remain mere spectators if Palestine is handed over to the Jews… It is a blatant betrayal of the Arab people.”
This early view became the base of Pakistan’s foreign policy. For Jinnah, the issue was not just about religion. It was about justice, freedom from foreign rule, and the right of people to choose their future.
Source: Tribune
1947–1948: A New Nation at the UN, An Old Cause Renewed
Upon its independence in 1947, Pakistan quickly joined the United Nations and almost immediately found itself facing a critical vote: UN General Assembly Resolution 181, which proposed the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states.
On November 29, 1947, Pakistan voted against Resolution 181. It was one of the few nations to take a firm stand rejecting the creation of Israel under this partition, citing it as an unjust imposition on the Palestinian people.
This was Pakistan’s first UN vote on Palestine, a signal of the country’s long-term diplomatic commitment.
Key Timeline of UN Votes & Diplomatic Milestones (1947–2025)
🔹 1947 — UNGA Resolution 181: Partition Plan for Palestine
- Pakistan votes NO, aligning with Arab nations.
- Declares partition unjust and dangerous for Middle East peace.
🔹 1950s–60s — Support for Palestinian Refugees & Right of Return
- Pakistan votes in favor of resolutions reaffirming UNRWA funding and refugee rights.
- Supports General Assembly resolutions condemning aggression and illegal occupation.
🔹 1970s–80s — Non-Aligned Movement & OIC Era
- Pakistan actively aligns with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to support Palestinian resistance and condemn Israeli settlements.
- Votes in favor of multiple resolutions asserting the inalienable rights of Palestinians.
🔹 1980 (UNGA) — Jerusalem Declared Part of Occupied Territory
- Pakistan backs resolution rejecting Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem.
- Affirms the need for Jerusalem (Al-Quds) to be the capital of a future Palestinian state.
🔹 2012 (Nov 29) — Palestine Granted Observer State Status
- Pakistan co-sponsors and votes YES on the resolution upgrading Palestine’s status at the UN.
- Pakistani envoy Masood Khan states:
“This is a vote for justice, not against any state.”
🔹 2014–2020 — Gaza Wars & UN Resolutions
- Pakistan condemns the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
- Supports UNGA and UNHRC resolutions on war crimes investigations.
- Consistently calls for an international inquiry, humanitarian access, and an end to the blockade.
🔹 2021 (UNHRC) — Pakistan’s Role in Ceasefire & Accountability
- Pakistan leads OIC diplomatic push to adopt a resolution creating an independent international commission of inquiry into Israeli attacks on Gaza.
- Resolution adopted: a major diplomatic success for Pakistan.
🔹 2022–2024 — Statehood & Membership Drives
- Pakistan supports Palestine’s full UN membership bid.
- May 2024: UNGA passes resolution recommending Palestine’s admission; Pakistan votes in favor.
- Condemns US veto at UNSC as “a historic injustice.”
🔹 2024 (UNGA) — Ending Israeli Presence in Occupied Territories
- Pakistan votes YES on the resolution demanding Israel withdraw within 12 months, based on the ICJ advisory opinion.
- Strongly asserts that continued occupation violates international law.
🔹 2025 (UNSC) — Pakistan Takes the Lead
- As a non-permanent member of the Security Council (2025-26), Pakistan sponsors a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and implementation of prior UNSC decisions.
- Leads unanimously adopted a resolution on “Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes.”
Rhetoric, Recognition, and Reality
Throughout these decades, Pakistan’s position has remained remarkably consistent:
- No recognition of Israel until a just, two-state solution is implemented.
- Support for pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
- Full membership of Palestine in the UN as a sovereign state.
- Opposition to Israeli settlements, annexation, and collective punishment in Gaza.
- Annual sponsorship of UN resolutions affirming the right to self-determination, including that of Palestinians.
This diplomatic stance reflects Pakistan’s ideological alignment with Muslim-majority countries and the broader Global South, rooted in anti-colonial solidarity and legal norms.
Pakistan’s Global Role Outside the UN
Pakistan also supports Palestine outside the United Nations. It plays an active role in big groups like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
In the OIC, Pakistan helps write and vote for resolutions. These statements often speak against Israeli attacks and ask for peace talks. In NAM, Pakistan works with other countries that are not part of any major power bloc. They want stronger rules to hold Israel accountable for how it treats Palestinians.
At the UN Human Rights Council, Pakistan often talks about the unfair treatment of Palestinians. It says Israel’s actions in the West Bank are like apartheid. It also speaks about the suffering of people in Gaza due to war and blockades.
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Challenges and Roadblocks
Even though Pakistan speaks out strongly, there are problems it can’t control.
One big issue is the U.S. veto power in the UN Security Council. When most countries support Palestine, the U.S. can still block action by using its veto. This makes it hard for any real change to happen.
Another problem is that some Muslim countries are making peace with Israel. While Pakistan does not support this, it makes the Muslim world less united on this issue.
Also, many UN resolutions are not enforced. They sound good on paper, but don’t always lead to action.
Lastly, Pakistan has its own economic and political problems. These make it hard to lead global efforts, even if the will is there.
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What Pakistan Wants in 2025 and Beyond?
In 2025, Pakistan still stands with Palestine. It wants:
- Full UN membership for Palestine
- A permanent ceasefire in Gaza
- An end to the blockade on Gaza
- A full investigation into war crimes
- East Jerusalem to be the capital of Palestine
Pakistan is now a member of the UN Security Council (2025–2026). This gives it a stronger voice to speak up for Palestine. But global politics, like the U.S. veto, still make progress hard.
A Long History of Support
Pakistan’s support for Palestine goes back a long way. Even before the country was created, Quaid-e-Azam spoke out against the unfair treatment of Palestinians. He said giving their land away was wrong and would hurt Muslims everywhere.
Since then, from the 1940s to 2025, Pakistan has kept the same position. It believes in justice, human rights, and self-rule. It has voted many times in the UN to support Palestinian rights. It has also spoken out in other global groups.
Even if there is no full peace yet, Pakistan has helped keep Palestine on the world’s mind. It has been shown that this is not just a political issue, but a moral and human issue.
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