Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to responding firmly to any Indian aggression, underscoring the hostile policies of the Modi-led Indian government. Addressing global leaders at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, the prime minister opened by expressing pride in representing a country that has consistently played an active role within the United Nations.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s unwavering support for the UN Charter, citing Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s 1947 declaration to contribute to global peace and prosperity. He further addressed the current global crises, including the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, conflicts in Ukraine, Africa, and Asia, rising terrorism, geopolitical tensions, poverty, debt, and the increasing impact of climate change. “We are witnessing the chill of a new Cold War,” he remarked.
Drawing parallels between Gaza and the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the prime minister emphasized that the Kashmiri people have fought for their right to self-determination for decades. He criticized India’s failure to honor its commitments under UN Security Council resolutions, which mandate a plebiscite for Kashmir. Since August 5, 2019, India has imposed unilateral actions to implement what its leaders term a “Final Solution” for Kashmir, using heavy military force, extrajudicial killings, curfews, and land grabs aimed at altering the region’s demography.
Shehbaz Sharif condemned these actions as part of a settler-colonial project that seeks to reduce the Muslim-majority population to a minority. However, he stressed that the Kashmiri people remain steadfast in resisting India’s attempts to impose a false identity upon them. The prime minister also warned that India’s expanding military capabilities, including doctrines suggesting a potential surprise attack on Pakistan, are a significant threat to regional peace.
Sharif urged India to reverse its illegal actions in Kashmir and engage in dialogue for a peaceful resolution in line with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He concluded by reaffirming that Pakistan would deliver a decisive response to any aggression from India.
