New York: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, put forward the main points of Pakistan’s foreign policy to the international community. The Prime Minister focused on regional tensions, Kashmir, the security of the Two Holy Mosques and important sea routes.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the sanctity and security of the Two Holy Mosques are of fundamental importance to Pakistan. He condemned the recent attacks against Saudi Arabia and made it clear that cooperation between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia is not an alliance against any country.
The Prime Minister also stressed the need for diplomacy in the region. According to him, Pakistan played a role in bringing the US and Iran to the negotiating table. He said that war and tension increase pressure on important trade routes like the Strait of Hormuz; therefore, Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab should not become centres of conflict.
In the General Assembly, the Prime Minister also raised the issue of tensions with India and Kashmir. He said that Pakistan exercised its right to self-defence under the UN Charter in response to the Indian action.
Shahbaz Sharif stressed the need to resolve the Kashmir issue to avoid the risk of a major military conflict in South Asia in the future. He reiterated his demand for the Kashmiri people to be given voting rights under the United Nations.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan will continue to provide diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people. He also presented Pakistan’s position on human rights and population ratio in Kashmir at the international forum.
The Indus Water Treaty was also part of the Prime Minister’s address. He described the water issue as important for the entire region rather than just a Pakistan-India issue and expressed Pakistan’s objection to the Indian move regarding the treaty.
In his address, the Prime Minister said that he was addressing the United Nations General Assembly for the fourth time and that Pakistan stood by the principles of the United Nations Charter.
His address came at a time when world leaders were discussing several global issues including war, regional conflicts and international cooperation at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
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