Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to global peace, diplomacy, Saudi Arabia and the right to self-determination for Kashmiris in his address to the 81st UN General Assembly.
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, diplomacy, regional stability and the principles of the UN Charter.
Representing Pakistan’s 240 million peace-loving people, Shehbaz Sharif said it was an honor to address the General Assembly for the fourth time. He congratulated UN General Assembly President-elect Khalil Rahman and assured him of Pakistan’s full cooperation.
The prime minister paid tribute to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for his leadership and thanked Annalena Baerbock for her leadership. He described the pursuit of peace as one of humanity’s greatest endeavors and cited verse 61 of Surah Al-Anfal: “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it.”
Referring to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s well-known remarks about the United Nations, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan stood with the UN Charter and remained committed to global peace and prosperity.
He said the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2788 demonstrated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to international peace. He also recalled the conflict that engulfed the Gulf and Middle East in February, saying it caused loss of life, economic damage and pressure on key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had taken immediate steps at that critical juncture and described bringing Washington and Tehran to the negotiating table in Islamabad as a historic development. He thanked Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Qatar, Egypt, China and other friendly countries for their efforts toward peace, while paying tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his services on the diplomatic and defense fronts.
The prime minister called for diplomacy to be given a stronger voice amid the “noise” of missiles, drones and guns. He said the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, which are vital to the global economy, should remain open.
Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned recent attacks against Saudi Arabia and said an attempt to target Makkah with drones had caused deep anger among Muslims worldwide. He said Pakistan would not compromise on the sanctity and security of the Holy Mosques.
“Haramein Sharifain are our red line,” he said, reaffirming Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister described the trilateral defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a guarantor of regional peace and stability, stressing that the alliance was not directed against any country but represented a collective commitment to defense, stability and peace.
On India, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had faced what he described as unprovoked aggression from India last year. He praised the armed forces for responding professionally under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and acknowledged former U.S. President Donald Trump’s timely intervention in helping stop a war between the two nuclear-armed countries.
Shehbaz Sharif also called for a just resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, saying Kashmiris had been looking to the United Nations for eight decades. He urged the UN to fulfill its commitments regarding the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
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