By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif on Friday told the UN high level gathering that the world faces “testing times” marked by conflict, terrorism, and climate change, as he urged immediate action for peace in South Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
Mr. Sharif said “Our world is more complex today than ever before,” cited intensifying conflicts, violations of international law, and a climate crisis that “threatens our very survival.”
He argued that multilateralism was “no more an option it is need of the hour.”
Sharif said that his country faced “unprovoked aggression” by India earlier this year.
He hailed Pakistan’s armed forces had repelled the attack with “stunning professionalism, bravery and acumen,” shooting down several Indian aircraft.
Sharif praised US President Donald Trump to help secure the ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
He also offered dialogue.
“Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues,” he said.
He warned that disputes over Kashmir and water resources remained volatile.
India’s alleged abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty, he added, “represents an act of war.”
Mr. Sharif pledged support for Kashmiris, stated that Pakistan would “ardently defend” their rights and reiterated calls for a UN-supervised plebiscite.
He said “One day soon, inshallah [God willing], India’s tyranny in Kashmir will come to a grinding halt. They will gain its fundamental right to self-determination through an impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations”.
Sharif condemned what he called Israel’s “genocidal onslaught” in Gaza, described the plight of Palestinian children as “one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies of our times.”
He called for an immediate ceasefire and reaffirmed Pakistan’s backed for an independent Palestinian state within pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.
“Palestine can no longer remain under Israeli shackles. It must be liberated,” he declared.
He addressed broader global issues, including Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, where he voiced support for a peaceful resolution in line with the UN Charter.
On terrorism, he recalled Pakistan’s sacrifices, stated that Pakistan had lost 90,000 lives and $150 billion to extremist violence over two decades.
Mr. Sharif described climate change as an existential challenge, pointed to recent catastrophic floods that displaced millions and caused tens of billions in losses.
“Despite being responsible for “less than one per cent of global emissions,” he added.
He said that Pakistan was bearing a disproportionate burden, called it “not fairness, not equality, not justice.”
Mr. Sharif in his closing remarks vowed Pakistan would continue to stand for “peace, justice and development” through multilateral cooperation.
He said “Let this 80th anniversary not simply commemorate history.”
PM Sharif concluded “Let us make history and chart a future for the next eight years, with these United Nations as enduring hope for look for global good.”
