Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reiterated Pakistan’s inclination towards peace and commended the efforts of the Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
He made the statement while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the fourth time. He started his address with the recitation of the Holy Quran.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated Khalil ur Rehman on his election as President of the UNGA.
‘Pakistan’s role in US-Iran ceasefire’
In his address, the PM said Pakistan brought the United States (US) and Iran to the table in Islamabad and played an important role in facilitating dialogue between the two countries.
Shehbaz Sharif said the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb are vital for the region.
The PM also highlighted Pakistan’s role in facilitating talks between the US and Iran and its efforts to bring both countries to the negotiating table in Islamabad.
‘Haramain Sharifain a red line’
Shehbaz Sharif said the drone attack on the holy city of Makkah caused anger and grief among Muslims around the world. He said any attack on the Haramain Sharifain must be considered a red line. He added that Pakistan stands with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.
The PM said the Makkah Agreement is not against any country. He said it is a joint effort for defence and peace in the region.
Conflict with India
Speaking about the conflict with India, Shehbaz Sharif said that India attacked Pakistan on a false pretext. He said Pakistan defended itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The PM said Pakistan faced India under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir and taught it a lesson that it would never forget.
Shehbaz Sharif said the leadership of President Donald Trump helped save millions of lives in South Asia. He said the two nuclear-armed neighbours had been close to an open war.
He said Pakistan must ensure that South Asia does not reach such a situation again. He added that this requires a solution to the Kashmir issue.
Kashmir issue
In his address, the prime minister said there should be a plebiscite in Kashmir under the United Nations.
He said Kashmiris are facing collective punishment and efforts are being made to change the region’s demographics.
Speaking about the Indus Waters Treaty, Shehbaz Sharif said India unilaterally suspended the treaty.
He said the move has no legal standing and claimed that the decision was rejected by the United Nations and the Court of Arbitration.
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian speaks at United Nations
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran is not a terrorist, but it is only defending itself against aggression. Adding that those who are terrorists themselves are accusing Iran of being one.
The Iranian President made a rare appearance on Wednesday, speaking at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
He stated that the President of the United States (US), Donald Trump, labelled them terrorists, even though they have been victims of terrorism themselves.
“We are merely exercising our right to self-defence against aggression,” Pezeshkian stated.
During his address to the UN General Assembly, he also displayed photographs of the martyred Ayatollah Khamenei. He also showed pictures of more than 150 children who were killed in the Minab school attack on the first days of the war.
He emphasised, “We are not terrorists; our innocent citizens were targeted in the war, and women and children alike were martyred.”
The US delegate staged a walkout during the Iranian President’s speech at the UNGA session in New York.
