PM Shehbaz calls for immediate halt to Gaza bloodshed at UNGA address
Pakistan
Pakistan to respond most decisively to any Indian aggression, thunders PM Shehbaz at the UN forum
NEW YORK (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the issue of Gaza war and called for an immediate end to the systematic slaughterig of the Palestinians in his speech at the 79th session of United Nations General Assembly.
At the outset of his speech, the premier said it was “great honour” for him to address the UNGA for the second time as the PM of Pakistan.
Mentioning the flurry of challenges faced by the world as a whole, the PM said, “Today, we face 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 geopolitical tensions, resurging terrorism, galloping poverty, stifling debt and the mounting impact of climate change. We feel the chill of a new world order,” he said.
He said he would express “the searing pain and anguish of Pakistanis at the plight of Gazans. Our heart bleeds as we witness the tragedy unfolding in the holy land. A tragedy that shakes the very conscience of humanity and the foundation of this institution.”
He asked whether the world could afford to remain silent while “children lie buried under the rubble of their shattered homes and can we turn a blind eye to the mothers cradling the lifeless bodies of the children as this is not just a conflict, this is a systematic slaughter of innocent Palestinians. An assault on the very essence of human life and dignity, the blood of Gazan children stains not just the hands of the oppressors but all those complicit in prolonging this cruel conflict.”
On the Kashmir issue, the PM said India's policy of brutal coercion and oppression has ensured that Burhan Wani's legacy continues to inspire the struggle and sacrifices of millions of Kashmiris.
He added India has never agreed to implement the UNSC resolution to hold plebiscite in Kashmir while adding since 2019, matters have taken a turn for worse after the abrogation of Article 370 as the valley was deprived of its special status and oppression was made normal.
He also made it clear that it should be stated 'in no uncertain terms' that any Indian misadventure would be responded in the most decisive manner by Pakistan.
On terrorism, he said Pakistan has been facing a new wave of terrorism, funded largely by hostile foreign nations and groups.
On Climate change, the premier remarked Pakistan has been paying a heavy price to the issue despite contributing insigificantly to carbon emissions.
"This is most unfair in any calculus of global justice," he said.
Earlier, at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the Prime Minister would raise the issues of international concern including the question of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir dispute at the world forum.
The spokesperson added Pakistan would continue to highlight the importance of resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute for lasting peace and stability in South Asia.
She said Pakistan has repeatedly called on the UN to use its good offices for implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and for ensuring the right of self-determination of Kashmiri people.
