Daily diary: Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly

Pakistan's stance presented before comity of nations

With the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in full swing, The Express Tribune presents a daily diary recording the workings of the Pakistani delegation at the annual September summit in New York.



The UNGA is one of the six main organs of the UN and the only one where all member states are given equal representation: one nation, one vote. During the session, all 193 member states “discuss and work together on a wide array of international issues covered by the UN Charter, such as development, peace and security, international law, etc.”

The Pakistani delegation at the UNGA comprises Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, Ambassador to the United States Ali Jahangir Siddiqui and Permanent Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi.

For Islamabad, India cancelling a planned meet between FM Qureshi and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj preceded the session. The Pakistani delegation arrived at the UN to present Islamabad's stance on various issues including Kashmir undettered by the the 'surprise'.



Day 5

Addressing the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi blamed India for exporting terrorism to Pakistan and other countries in the region. “Kulbhushan Jadhav is an example of India exporting terrorism to its neighbouring countries,” he said.

He reacted strongly to Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s verbal attack on Pakistan, Qureshi said that the neighbouring country rejected the Pakistani offer of resuming peace talks on ‘flimsy grounds’. In her speech at the UNGA, Swaraj had slammed Pakistan, accusing it of harbouring terrorists and “masking malevolence with duplicity”.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1046111614611705858

In a meeting with UN Sectretary General Antonio Guterres, Pakistan raised the human rights violations committed by India occupied forces in Indian-occupied Kashmir. They also exchanged views on Afghanistan and regional peace.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045881613345787905

The OIC adopted statement calling for respect for Islam, the revered personalities and symbol.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045891643487014912

In an address at the 42nd Ministral Meeting of the G77, Janjua extended Pakistan's continued support.

https://twitter.com/DrMFaisal/status/1045444222894182403

FM Qureshi addressed the Asia Soceity Forum.



https://twitter.com/DrMFaisal/status/1045716803740200961

FM discussed mutual cooperation in areas of trade and investment, peace and security in a meeting with his Russian counterpart.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045763301433626625

Qureshi held meetings with foreign ministers of Egypt, UAE and Niger.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045887539494760448

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045761670277201921

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045889024244756482

Day 4

In an interview to Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, the foreign minister said the United States expected “special treatment” as a global power and asserted Pakistan’s willingness “to be friends” yet exercise its option to cultivate relations with others including China.

https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1045596489794424832

In a meeting with US diplomat Alice Wells, Janjua reiterated on ties based on mutual respect and shared interests.

The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s support for political initiatives to achieve peace in Afghanistan in a meeting with the United States Special Envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad in New York.





During the informal meeting of SAAR members, FM Qureshi stressed against bringing bilateral issues into the ambit of the organisation.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045448531455209473

Janjua addressed high level meeting of Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045398112477548545

Day 3 

FM Qureshi meets Saudi counterpart.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045017992277495809

The foreign minister addressed Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) contact group on the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IOK).

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044968574618619905

Foreign minister holds talks with European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy VP on bilateral cooperation.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045097404234694656

FM Qureshi emphasises need for democratic, accountable and effective Security Council at United for Consensus on Security Council Reforms meeting.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044943926464000001

In a meeting with former United Kingdom foreign secretary and International Rescue Committee Chairman David Miliband, FM discusses disaster relief, education, healthcare and other matters.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045096582314708992

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua signs the Victims of Terrorism board at the UNOCT.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045079664946024448

FM Qureshi meets Omani, British counterparts.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045094526921191424

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1045095454726336515



Day 2 at the UNGA

Pakistani delegation attends opening of 73rd UNGA General Debate Session.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044583839903834119

FM meets US President Donald Trump, speaks about resetting bilateral ties “I met President Trump at the reception where I had the opportunity to discuss bilateral relations." Qureshi impressed upon Trump the pressing need to "rephrase historic relations, according to APP.



Qureshi greets Turkish President Erdogan.

https://twitter.com/DrMFaisal/status/1044602708840329221

In the 25th informal meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), FM pledges support for liberalising trade in region.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044389399927156742

He met President Global Development at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations on the sidelines of the UNGA.

https://twitter.com/DrMFaisal/status/1045307704540057600

FM meets Kuwait deputy prime minister, foreign minister.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044391345517973504

Qureshi participates in Action For Peacekeeping event hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044762301130330115

Qureshi draws attention to nationwide investment opportunities in Atlantic Council address.



https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044815131211960325

FM Qureshi meets Nepalese, Swiss, Dutch, Japenese and Qatari counterparts.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044758179144519680

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044631810729234434

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044771674988662784

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044758809531621377

https://twitter.com/SMQureshiPTI/status/1044611694645923840

Day 1 at the UNGA


Foreign minister attends special ministerial meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).



https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044284472223584257

Qureshi attends opening of High Plenary Meeting of Nelson Mandela Peace Summit alongside Lodhi.

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1044285362946953216

Pakistani delegation meets World Bank president, highlights Indian violations of the Indus Water Treaty.

FM met the President of the World Bank on the sidelines of UNGA, raised the issue of the construction of water reservoirs by India in violation of Indus Waters Treaty. FM said that water issue should not be politicized and should be dealt as a humanitarian issue. pic.twitter.com/DRwvLihVhH

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 24, 2018

Qureshi addressed Organisation Islamic Cooperation (OIC) contact group.

FM addressed meeting of OIC contact group on aggression of the Republic of Armenia against Azerbaijan. He said Pakistan supports the principled position of Azerbaijan on the Nagorno Karabach issue and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian forces. pic.twitter.com/P20p9mLSCt

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 24, 2018

September 22

Qureshi departs for the US from Islamabad International Airport “sans protocol”.

شاہ محمود قریشی اقوام متحدہ کے جنرل اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں شرکت کے لئے امریکہ روانہ، سیکرٹری خارجہ تہمینہ جنجوعہ بھی وزیر خارجہ کے ہمراہ، شاہ محمود قریشی بغیر پروٹوکول اسلام آباد ائیر پورٹ پہنچے، بورڈنگ پراسس کے لئے عام مسافروں کے ساتھ قطار میں کھڑے ہو گئے-#PTI@SMQureshiPTI pic.twitter.com/oIYsljRcKk

— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 21, 2018