NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm support for the Palestinian cause, declaring that an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital is essential for lasting peace in the Middle East.
The Prime Minister strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza and the occupation of Palestinian territories, calling it the “darkest chapter of modern history.” He said the suffering of innocent children under Israeli fire symbolized the world’s moral failure. Recalling the tragic death of Hind Rajab, he stressed that the cries of Gaza’s children should awaken global conscience.
Shehbaz Sharif called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, an end to illegal settlements in the West Bank, and recognition of Palestine’s sovereignty within pre-1967 borders. He reminded the Assembly that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Palestine and welcomed the growing international recognition of its statehood.
Turning to regional issues, the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and dialogue but warned that Jammu and Kashmir remained a dangerous flashpoint between two nuclear powers. He condemned India’s human rights violations in the region and accused New Delhi of undermining the Indus Waters Treaty. He warned that Pakistan would defend its rights, terming any breach of the treaty an act of aggression.
Shehbaz Sharif recalled earlier cross-border hostilities, stating that Pakistan exercised its right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. He praised the armed forces under Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar for their courage, saying India’s aggression had been decisively countered. He also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General António Guterres for their timely intervention in preventing a wider war.
The Prime Minister further addressed global challenges, highlighting terrorism, Islamophobia, and climate change. He noted that Pakistan had lost over 90,000 lives and suffered $150 billion in damages due to terrorism, yet continued to face externally-sponsored militancy. He assured the world that Pakistan’s forces were determined to eliminate all terrorist groups, including the TTP and BLA.
On climate change, he reminded the Assembly of Pakistan’s vulnerability, citing the devastating floods of 2022 and 2025. He demanded that major carbon-emitting nations fulfill their commitments and called for a declaration of a “global climate emergency.”
Concluding his speech, Shehbaz Sharif pledged Pakistan’s continued support for multilateralism, peace, and justice. He vowed that Pakistan would keep raising its voice for Palestine, Kashmir, and oppressed people everywhere, saying: “We have won the war; now we want to win peace.”
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