KARACHI: First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari has said that international humanitarian law must be upheld and civilian lives protected, stressing that the principles of the United Nations must apply equally to every human life, irrespective of geography, nationality or political circumstance.

She said this while speaking at a programme held to celebrate United Nations Day 2026 in Karachi. The event was organised by the UN in Pakistan in collaboration with the federal and Sindh governments and other partners.

She highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding partnership with the UN in development, education, humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping and said international cooperation remained essential to addressing challenges that no country could overcome alone.

Referring to the suffering of innocent people in Gaza, she emphasised that the principles of the UN must apply equally to every human life, irrespective of geography, nationality or political circumstances.

She also highlighted the devastating impact of the 2022 floods in Pakistan, noting that the support extended by the UN and international partners had demonstrated the value of cooperation during a crisis.

She called for climate justice, pointing out that countries and communities contributing least to climate change often bear its greatest consequences.

Highlighting her commitment to polio eradication, Ms Bhutto-Zardari said every child deserves protection from preventable disease, regardless of where they were born or their family circumstances. She acknowledged the work of frontline health workers, supported by the WHO, Unicef and other partners in advancing the shared goal of a polio-free Pakistan.

She also underscored the importance of children’s nutrition and education.

The first lady thanked the UN team in Pakistan for bringing the celebration to Karachi and providing the public with an opportunity to learn more about the organisation’s work.

The event marked more than eight decades of partnership between Pakistan and the UN and featured an exhibition on Pakistan’s contributions to the UN, including peacekeeping, alongside information and careers booths and cultural performances.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2026