Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently delivering a speech at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, eloquently articulating Pakistan’s perspective on a spectrum of global and regional challenges.
At the very beginning of his eloquent address, the Prime Minister vividly described our world as being more intricate and perplexing than ever before. He drew attention to the escalating conflicts, the flagrant violations of international law, and the escalating humanitarian crises. He also emphasized the persistent menace of terrorism, the insidious spread of disinformation that erodes trust, and the existential threat of climate change, particularly for vulnerable nations like Pakistan.
“Our world is more complex today than ever before,” he declared. “Conflicts are intensifying, international law is being brazenly violated, humanitarian crises are multiplying, terrorism remains a potent threat, disinformation and fake news undermine trust, and climate change threatens our very survival, especially for countries like Pakistan,” he passionately stated.
Call for multilateralism
In today’s unpredictable world, multilateralism is not just beneficial but an urgent necessity. Pakistan’s foreign policy, inspired by the principles of Quaid-i-Azam, is firmly anchored in peace, mutual respect, and cooperation. We firmly uphold the belief that disputes must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy,” declared the Prime Minister with conviction.
He recollected his remarks from the previous year’s UNGA session, saying, “Standing at this very podium last year, I had cautioned that Pakistan would respond decisively to any external aggression. Those words, though hopeful not to prove, have been validated by recent events. In May this year, our nation faced unresolved hostilities from the eastern front. With arrogance, the adversary advanced; we responded by sending them back, battered and humbled, dealing a severe blow.”
Escalation between India and Pakistan
Shehbaz Sharif accused India of exploiting human tragedy for political advantage: “India tried to gain politically from a tragic event by rejecting my sincere proposal for an independent international investigation into the Pahalgam incident. Instead, it launched assaults on our cities, targeting innocent civilians. Upon the breach of our territorial integrity and national security, our response was guided by the right of self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter.”
He lauded Pakistan’s military response further, highlighting, “Our courageous armed forces, led by Field Marshal Asim Munir, executed an operation marked by exceptional professionalism and valor, successfully thwarting the enemy’s attack under the leadership of our air chief marshal. Our falcons took to the skies, their response engraving a decisive retort in the annals of history, turning seven of the Indian jets into mere debris, leaving a resounding message to our aggressors.”
He paid tribute to the armed forces and the public, declaring: “To the fairness architect of this victory, to every officer and soldier, heirs of our martyrs, their names are forever engraved in glory. The mothers of our martyrs, their courage guides our path forward and their sacrifice shall never be in vain, God willing. And to every Pakistani, you stood as one unbreakable wall – Bunyanum Marsoos.”
Ceasefire and diplomacy
The prime minister noted that Pakistan had agreed to a ceasefire after four days of escalation with India in May, from what he called “a position of strength.” He also expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump and his team for their role in mediating peace.
“President Trump’s efforts for peace helped avert a … war in South Asia. Had he not intervened timely and decisively, the consequences of a full-fledged war would have been catastrophic,” Shehbaz said. “Therefore, in recognition of President Trump’s wonderful and outstanding contribution to promote peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. This is the least we could do … I think he truly is a man of peace.”
He further thanked Pakistan’s partners, including China, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and the UN Secretary-General for their diplomatic support during the confrontation.
In a solemn declaration of support, Pakistan asserts a steadfast alliance with the people of Kashmir. ‘Through this esteemed forum, I express my unwavering support to the Kashmiris,’ the speaker avowed, ‘affirming that the citizens of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with them, awaiting the day when India’s oppressive rule in Kashmir will meet its inevitable end. With relentless hope, we anticipate a future wherein Kashmir claims its fundamental right to self-determination, facilitated by an unbiased plebiscite under the auspices of this very body, the United Nations.’
Focusing on the grave situation in Gaza, the prime minister addressed the assembly: ‘The torment endured by the Palestinian people is arguably one of the most heartrending catastrophes of our era.’
He lamented, ‘This enduring injustice serves as a stark blemish on our collective global conscience and a failure of our moral leadership. For nearly eight decades, the Palestinians have bravely withstood Israel’s ruthless occupation of their homeland. The West Bank witnesses unchecked brutality with each passing day.’
In Gaza, he noted, Israel’s genocidal assault has unleashed unimaginable terror upon women and children, reminiscent of the darkest periods in human history.
‘In its relentless quest for its malevolent objectives, the Israeli regime has perpetrated a disgraceful campaign against blameless Palestinians, destined to be remembered as one of the most shameful episodes recorded in history,’ he asserted emphatically.
The prime minister underscored the urgency of raising a unified voice against the heinous acts in Gaza, declaring, ‘We must articulate our stance with power and lucidity.’
He reflected further, ‘Our words arrive too late to alleviate the suffering of Hind Rajab, a mere child, no more than a tender infant… It pains me, much like the entire Muslim ummah, and empathetic nations globally, to recognize that we have let Hind Rajab down. Her forgiveness is not ours to claim.’
Evoking a poignant image, he remarked, ‘The smallest coffins weigh the heaviest. I am intimately acquainted with this sorrow, as I bore the coffin of Irtaza Abbas in the recent encounter with India. He was a mere six years old. We must not, and cannot, betray the children of Gaza, or any child across the globe. A path to ceasefire must be discovered now.’