Shehbaz Sharif urges immediate halt to Gaza bloodshed at UNGA address
NEW YORK, Sep 27 (SABAH): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the issue of Gaza war and called for an immediate end to the systematic slaughtering 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 consciousness 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.