NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will highlight Kashmir and Palestine during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan’s UN envoy Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said on Sunday.
Ahmad made the remarks while briefing the media in New York about the prime minister’s visit.
Shehbaz will address the UN General Assembly on September 25. His speech will also cover multilateral cooperation, climate change and major global developments.
According to the Foreign Office, the prime minister will discuss sustainable development, counterterrorism, Islamophobia and global economic challenges.
He will also highlight UN reforms and issues facing the Global South. Pakistan will further draw attention to the situations in Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir.
PM to Meet World Leaders
Ahmad said Shehbaz is expected to meet several world leaders during his visit to New York.
Pakistan is also working to arrange a meeting between the prime minister and Apple Executive Chairman Tim Cook.
The UN General Assembly’s high-level week is taking place from September 22 to 26. Global conflicts and international cooperation are expected to feature prominently in discussions among world leaders.
The Foreign Office has said Pakistan will continue to advocate dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful solutions to international disputes.
Dar Holds Meetings Ahead of PM’s Arrival
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is already in New York for the UNGA session.
Dar is scheduled to attend several meetings on Kashmir and Palestine on the sidelines of the General Assembly. He will also participate in an OIC Contact Group meeting on Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan has consistently called for an end to violence in Gaza and supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on relevant UN resolutions.
Islamabad has also continued to raise the Kashmir dispute at the United Nations and call for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.
Pakistan Calls for Dialogue
Ahmad said Pakistan is seeking peaceful solutions to regional conflicts through dialogue and international mechanisms.
“Our effort is to find a peaceful and international solution to the conflict under UN laws,” he said.
He said Pakistan’s immediate priority was to stop fighting, reduce tensions and bring the parties back to negotiations.
The diplomat acknowledged that the regional situation was moving in a negative direction. However, he said Pakistan was aware of its responsibility to help prevent further escalation.
“We acknowledge that the situation is moving in a negative direction. We are aware of it and believe that we have to play our role,” Ahmad said.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has also said the prime minister will reaffirm the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and peaceful dispute resolution during his UNGA engagements.
