Pakistan will give appropriate response to Indian aggression, PM tells UNGA

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan will deliver an appropriate response to any Indian aggression, emphasizing the hostility of the Modi-led government.

He said that Israel is committing genocide of the Palestinians without any fear and demonstrating worst brutality in Gaza.

The prime minister expressed these views while addressing the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on Friday. Shehbaz starting his speech said, “It is an honour for me to address the United Nations General Assembly for the second time as the prime minister of the country that has always been the proactive member of the UN Assembly.”

The Prime Minister of Pakistan observed, “Today, we are facing [the] most daunting challenges to the world order. Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, a dangerous conflict in Ukraine, destructive conflicts across Africa and Asia, rising geo-political tensions resurging terrorism, galloping poverty, stifling debt and a mounting impact of climate change.”

PM Shehbaz said the Father of our nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, declared in 1947 that, “we stand by the United Nations Charter, and, will gladly make, our full contribution, to peace and prosperity, of the world.” Pakistan has stood by this commitment unwaveringly.

Drawing a parallel between the situation in Gaza and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the people of Kashmir have also been fighting for their freedom and right to self-determination for nearly a century.

He criticized India for retreating from its commitments to uphold UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir, which call for a plebiscite to allow Kashmiris to exercise their right to self-determination. The prime minister highlighted that since August 5, 2019, India has taken unilateral and illegal steps to enforce what its leaders ominously refer to as the “Final Solution” for the occupied territory.

Shehbaz noted that 900,000 Indian troops continuously terrorize the people of Kashmir through repressive measures like extended curfews, extrajudicial killings, and the abduction of thousands of young Kashmiris. Simultaneously, India is carrying out a settler-colonial project by confiscating Kashmiri land and property and settling outsiders in an attempt to turn the Muslim-majority region into a minority. He remarked that such tactics by occupying powers have always failed and will fail in Jammu and Kashmir as well, by the grace of God.

The prime minister underscored that the Kashmiri people remain steadfast in rejecting the false identity that India seeks to impose on them. He criticized India’s policies of brutal coercion, noting that they have only ensured that the legacy of Burhan Wani continues to inspire the ongoing struggle and sacrifices of millions of Kashmiris.

Shehbaz Sharif also pointed out India’s massive military expansion, which he claimed is targeted against Pakistan, noting its war doctrines envision surprise attacks and limited warfare under a nuclear umbrella. He further criticized India for rejecting Pakistan’s proposal for a mutual “Strategic Restraint Regime.”

The prime minister made it clear that Pakistan will decisively respond to any Indian aggression, including threats to cross the Line of Control (LoC) and take over Azad Kashmir. For lasting peace, he urged India to reverse its unilateral and illegal actions since August 5, 2019, and engage in dialogue to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The PM said that the hearts of the Pakistani people beat with the Palestinian brothers and Pakistan strongly condemns atrocities and barbarism on Palestinians. He questioned, how the world could turn a blind eye to the ruins of Palestinian homes.

He said that Israel is expanding adventurism and disregard of international law, adding this dangerous escalation has threatened peace and security in an already volatile region.

Shehbaz asked that innocent Palestinians are being systematically massacred in Gaza, and those who ignore atrocities being committed with Palestinians are worthy of being called human beings?

He further said, “This is more than just a conflict; it is a systematic massacre of innocent Palestinians. It is an attack on the core of human life and dignity. The blood of children in Gaza stains not only the hands of the oppressors but also those who are complicit in allowing this brutal conflict to continue.”

He added that humanity perished when the “endless suffering” of Palestinians was overlooked.

“It is not enough to simply condemn. We must take action now and demand an immediate halt to this bloodshed. We must remember that the sacrifices and bloodshed of innocent Palestinians will not be in vain. We must be concerned about their suffering and stand in solidarity with them.”

“We must seek a viable, secure, contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif, as its eternal capital,” he said and also demanding that Palestine be immediately admitted as a full UN member.

He also pointed out that “in the span of a few days, Israel’s unrelenting bombing of Lebanon has killed over 500 people.”

“The failure to implement UN resolutions, has emboldened Israel. It threatens to drag the entire Middle East, into a war, whose consequences could be grave and beyond imagination,” he added.

Deliberating upon the challenge posed by climate change, Shehbaz Sharif recalled that the catastrophic floods devastated Pakistan two years ago, causing damage of thirty billion dollars.

He pointed out that Pakistan emits less than one percent of global carbon emissions, yet we have paid a heavy price for no fault of ours. He said we must uphold the axiom: The polluter pays!

The Prime Minister said Pakistan looks forward to the fulfillment of commitments made by development partners to support the achievements of Sustainable Development Goals and climate goals including a new annual goal beyond one hundred billion dollars in climate finance.

Highlighting the challenge posed by debt to the developing countries, the Prime Minister emphasized that the international financial architecture, world trade, and technology regimes must be reformed and aligned to promote development and global equity.

Turning to the domestic economic situation, Shehbaz Sharif said the government has taken difficult, but necessary decisions that have rescued the economy from collapse, restored macroeconomic stability, controlled fiscal deficits, and strengthened reserves. As a result, inflation has come down to a single digit, and the prospects, for economic growth, have revived.

The Prime Minister said the government has prioritized geo-economics and regional connectivity to secure win-win outcomes.

He said the second phase of the landmark, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been successfully launched and through the apex, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the government is mobilizing investments in resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, minerals, sustainable agriculture, and technology. He said this will herald a new era of development and modernization.

Highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war on terrorism, the Prime Minister said eighty thousands of our brave soldiers and civilians have been martyred, including innocent school going children and the economy suffered a loss of 150 billion dollars.

He said Pakistan unfortunately is again confronted by a new wave of externally financed and sponsored terrorism, especially by the TTP, The BLA, The Majeed Brigade, Fitna al-Khawarij and its associates.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan’s firm determination to eliminate this threat as well through a comprehensive national effort, “Azm-e-Istehkam”.

He said Pakistan will work collectively with the international community to combat all forms of terrorism and reform the global counter-terrorism architecture.

Expressing concerns over Islamophobic incidents, Shehbaz Sharif said it is most alarming manifestation is the Hindu supremacist agenda in India. It aggressively seeks the subjugation of 200 million Muslims and the obliteration of India’s Islamic heritage.

He said Pakistan and the OIC will work with the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy to implement a plan of action to combat this scourge.

Turning to Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan seeks the earliest possible normalization of the situation in Afghanistan. He urged the Afghan Interim Government to take effective action to neutralize all terrorist groups within Afghanistan especially those responsible for cross-border terrorism against neighbouring countries.

Shehbaz Sharif called for an immediate end to the tragic conflict in Ukraine and its peaceful resolution in accordance with the UN Charter and international agreements.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan stands by the United Nations Charter and will make its full contribution to peace and prosperity of the world.