ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, while speaking at the UN Security Council’s debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina on May 12, reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with the UN Charter.

The ambassador’s statement was shared on X on Wednesday through the mission’s official handle.

He expressed his concern that “Lately, the political landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina has undergone rapid changes that do not augur well for the overall political environment in the country, particularly its fragile inter-ethnic balance.”

Ambassador Ahmad said, “regrettably, political tensions have continued to affect the governance setup, with institutional paralysis exacerbating the, administrative, legislative and constitutional challenges.”

He highlighted that “While the security situation in the country remains stable, certain developments, especially the incessant divisive and inflammatory rhetoric with ethnic and religious undertones, targeting and singling out one constituent people, remains a disturbing reality.”

“We cannot afford to forget the horrid history of this region,” he added.

Srebrenica genocide

Ambassador Ahmad said, “The conflict, including the infamous Srebrenica genocide that engulfed the region, did not begin with the first shot or the first atrocity; it started with words — dehumanizing hate speech and rhetoric aimed at deliberately stoking inter-ethnic fear and division, casting neighbors and fellow citizens as existential threats.”

“Such divisive sentiments must never be allowed to take root, again, and deserve our unequivocal condemnation,” he stressed.

Dayton Accord

The Pakistani ambassador said, “lasting peace, enduring stability and sustained progress and development of all peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be best achieved by adhering to the fundamental principles enshrined in Dayton Accord.”

“We also recognize Bosnia’s right to choose its own partnerships and a path towards integration in regional political and economic organizations as it deems fit,” he said.

The envoy further said, “We remain hopeful that the political leadership in the country would exercise prudence and act responsibly to find ways for engaging in a constructive and meaningful manner to settle their differences and work cooperatively for the welfare of all the peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

‘Burden and the opportunity’

Ambassador Ahmad said, “The burden and the opportunity both rest with the constituent peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina themselves — the Bosniaks, the Croats, and the Serbs alike. They must, collectively, reject divisive and dangerous narratives, and promote dialogue, trust, harmony and cooperation to build a future together, in peace and shared dignity.”

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Pakistan at UN reaffirms Bosnia's sovereignty, warns against divisive rhetoric