Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered an impactful speech at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. During his 21-minute address, he discussed several global and regional issues, ranging from the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict to the Kashmir dispute, climate change, and Pakistan’s economic recovery.
Introduction: Pakistan’s Commitment to Peace
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif began by expressing Pakistan’s long-standing support for the United Nations and global peace. He referred to the nation’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who promised Pakistan’s dedication to the UN Charter and its goal of promoting peace and prosperity worldwide.
Global Challenges: Wars and Conflicts
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the multitude of global challenges currently facing the world. He discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, the worsening situation in Gaza, conflicts in Africa and Asia, and the increasing geopolitical tensions. He warned of a “new cold war” and stressed the importance of addressing these crises.
Kashmir Dispute and Indian Aggression
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif turned to the ongoing Kashmir conflict, drawing a parallel between the situation in Gaza and the struggles of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He criticized India for disregarding the UN Security Council’s resolutions on Kashmir and implementing illegal measures since August 2019, which aimed to alter the region’s demographic composition by settling non-Kashmiris.
He highlighted the harsh conditions faced by Kashmiris under Indian rule, including curfews, extrajudicial killings, and land confiscations. The prime minister emphasized that despite these oppressive actions, the Kashmiri people remain steadfast in their resistance. He warned that any Indian aggression across the Line of Control (LoC) would receive a decisive response from Pakistan.
Call for Dialogue and Peace in Kashmir
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged India to reverse its illegal actions in Kashmir and to engage in dialogue for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and the desires of the Kashmiri people.
Condemnation of Israeli Atrocities in Gaza
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Israeli government’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, labeling them as “systematic slaughter” and “bloodshed.” He stressed that the killing of innocent Palestinians diminishes humanity and called for urgent international intervention to end the violence. He advocated for the Two-State Solution, with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. He also urged the UN to admit Palestine as a full member state.
Impact of Climate Change
The prime minister shifted focus to climate change, particularly its devastating impact on developing countries like Pakistan. He recalled the catastrophic floods of 2022 in Pakistan, which caused $30 billion in damages despite the country’s negligible contribution to global carbon emissions. Sharif called for the international community to uphold the principle of “polluter must pay” and fulfill their commitments to climate financing.
Debt Burden and Economic Reforms
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the economic challenges faced by many developing nations, including crippling debt burdens. He described the debt situation in nearly 100 countries as a “death trap” that limits their ability to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). He also highlighted the economic reforms undertaken by Pakistan to stabilize its economy and control inflation, emphasizing that his government had made difficult but necessary decisions to rescue Pakistan from economic collapse.
Investment and Infrastructure Initiatives
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the creation of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). These initiatives aim to attract investment in key sectors like infrastructure, renewable energy, and technology.
Terrorism and Regional Security
In discussing terrorism, the prime minister noted Pakistan’s long-standing efforts to combat terrorism, which have cost the country 80,000 lives and $150 billion in economic losses. He reiterated Pakistan’s determination to counter the new wave of terrorism, especially from groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Sharif assured the international community that Pakistan remains committed to working with other nations to combat terrorism.
Afghanistan and Regional Peace
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for stability in Afghanistan and urged the interim Afghan government to meet international expectations concerning human rights, political inclusion, and the fight against terrorist groups. He also supported the UN’s appeal for $3 billion in humanitarian aid for the Afghan people.
Islamophobia and Religious Intolerance
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the growing global issue of Islamophobia, referencing incidents of Quran desecration, attacks on mosques, and discrimination against Muslims. He criticized India for its Hindu supremacist agenda, which seeks to oppress its 200 million Muslim citizens and erase the country’s Islamic heritage. Sharif assured the audience that Pakistan, in collaboration with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), will work with the UN to combat Islamophobia.
Ukraine Conflict and Global Cooperation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed concern about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working with Africa to address terrorism and regional conflicts, highlighting Pakistan’s role in UN peacekeeping efforts.
Conclusion
In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of collective global action to address the numerous challenges facing the world today. He urged for immediate interventions in Palestine and Kashmir, highlighted the need for climate justice, and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism and promoting global peace.
