Sahara: Pakistan breaks silence and qualifies its abstention at the UN as an "implicit support" for Morocco

In an interview with the Morocco World News website, Syed Adil Gilani stated that this abstention "does not mean opposition, but implicit support for the autonomy plan." The ambassador went even further by declaring that "the Sahara is historically Moroccan," explaining that the current conflict is a "product of the French and Spanish colonial powers."

A "thoughtful strategy" linked to territorial disputes

Ambassador Gilani described the abstention during the vote on Resolution 2797, which enshrines the Moroccan plan as the "first and sole basis for negotiations," as a "thoughtful strategy." He explained that Pakistan, like Russia and China, which also abstained, faces its own territorial disputes, citing Kashmir. In this context, a direct vote in favor of the resolution would have been "contrary to their interests."

Syed Adil Gilani insisted that not having voted against the resolution means "in reality that they support this plan," adding that now that the text has been adopted, it has the status of a "law that all countries in the world must respect."

The ambassador also emphasized the depth of the relationship between the two countries, recalling Pakistan’s support for Morocco’s independence in 1952. He revealed that this coordinated position was not a coincidence, citing discussions between Moroccan Minister Nasser Bourita and his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, in late September and October, just before the vote.