Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called on the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel, including an arms and trade embargo, in response to what he described as Israel’s genocidal actions against Palestinians.
Speaking during the high-level debate titled “Leadership for Peace” at the 79th United Nations General Assembly Session, PM Sharif emphasized the need to pressure Israel into halting its military operations in Gaza and preventing further escalation of violence in the Middle East.
Sharif also condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Lebanon, urging that Israel’s leadership be held accountable for its actions against Palestinians and the Lebanese. He called for the council to create a neutral framework for achieving a ceasefire and peace in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The prime minister expressed concern over the growing number of conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, and other regions, as well as rising global poverty, stating that these issues were threatening global stability.
He highlighted the importance of the recently approved “Pact for the Future,” stressing the urgency of fulfilling international commitments to avoid a “bleak and dangerous” future.
On the Kashmir issue, Sharif reminded the Security Council of the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute, calling it a serious threat to global peace. He urged the council to address human rights violations in Kashmir and to implement resolutions on a plebiscite for the region’s self-determination.
He also urged the Security Council to tackle the resurgence of terrorism from Afghanistan, particularly from Daesh and other extremist groups, and called for support for African nations to combat terrorism and foreign interventions. He stressed the need to enhance UN peacekeeping efforts.
Sharif further recommended measures to de-escalate tensions between major world powers, particularly in Asia, and proposed declaring zero tolerance for the illegal use of force. He warned against the ongoing arms race in nuclear and conventional weapons and advocated for greater control over emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, which he said were increasing the risks of conflict.
Pakistan, in cooperation with other member states, will continue to pursue these objectives after assuming its seat in the Security Council next year, he added.
