Pakistan has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Ukraine war and urged renewed diplomatic engagement during an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.

Speaking at the meeting, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, expressed serious concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict.

He stressed that civilians must not be targeted in armed conflicts anywhere in the world and said that military action alone cannot bring lasting peace.

The emergency meeting was convened after a reported strike on a college dormitory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, where at least six people were killed and dozens injured, including children.

Pakistan told the 15-member council that the increasing violence was causing severe suffering for ordinary people and demanded meaningful efforts to end the prolonged war through dialogue and political commitment.UN officials also briefed the council on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

Edem Wosornu from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that nearly 16,000 civilians had been killed and over 44,000 injured since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.He added that the actual figures were likely much higher and warned that the conflict continued to violate international humanitarian law.

Unicef Deputy Executive Director Ted Chaiban highlighted the impact on children, saying more than 3,400 children had been killed or injured during the war.He noted that millions of Ukrainian children continue to suffer from psychological stress and insecurity due to constant hostilities.Pakistan reiterated that peaceful negotiations and a complete cessation of hostilities remain essential for achieving durable peace in the region.