Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, delivering a powerful speech that touched on a range of urgent global issues.
His remarks focused on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the unresolved Kashmir dispute, the global climate crisis, and the international community’s failure to uphold justice and human rights.
Sharif began his address with a recitation from the Quran and expressed his pride in representing Pakistan for the second time at the General Assembly. He congratulated the newly elected president of the UNGA, Dennis Francis, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the UN Charter.
“Our founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, declared that Pakistan stands by the United Nations Charter, and we remain committed to peace and prosperity for the world,” Sharif said.
Prime Minister Sharif condemned Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, describing the situation as a “genocidal war” and a humanitarian catastrophe. He painted a vivid picture of the suffering of Palestinian civilians, particularly women and children, calling for an end to the violence.
“Our hearts bleed as we witness the tragedy unfolding in the Holy Land,” Sharif said. “This is not just a conflict; it is the systematic slaughter of innocent people and an assault on the very essence of human life and dignity.”
Sharif urged the international community to stop the bloodshed and work towards a durable peace through a two-state solution, calling for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Sharif) as its capital.
“Can we remain silent while children lie buried under the rubble of their homes? The blood of Gaza’s children stains the hands not just of the oppressors but also of those who are complicit in prolonging this cruel conflict,” he stated emphatically.
