Kashmir and India: Pakistan staples at the UNGA

Pakistan's UN addresses have followed a set pattern over the years

Kashmir and Pakistan-India ties are expected to feature heavily in Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today (Saturday).

The foreign minister will be presenting Pakistan's stance before the comity of nations at a time of shifting global alignments and rising regional tensions. Qureshi, who earlier served as foreign minister during the tenure of the 2008-13 Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led government has represented the nation earlier at the 65th session of the UNGA.

With the foreign minister set to address the UNGA, The Express Tribune recaps Pakistan's five past addresses.



72nd session of UNGA (2017)

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi addressed the UNGA as prime minister after the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif. India remained the focus of his 20-minute speech. Abbasi’s maiden UN speech followed a predictable pattern: relations with India, the outstanding issue Jammu and Kashmir. Abbasi also spoke highly of China as an ally and reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peace in Afghanistan.

PM Abbasi addresses the 72nd session of the UNGA. PHOTO: REUTERS

An international investigation into Indian crimes in occupied Kashmir was demanded. “We ask that the United Nations Secretary General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights send an inquiry Commission to occupied Kashmir to verify the nature and extent of India’s human rights violations, secure the punishment of those responsible and provide justice and relief to the victims.”

In 2018, a UN report accused India of having employed excessive force in occupied Kashmir to kill and wound civilians since 2016 and called for an international inquiry into the accusations of rights violations. India, however, called the report a “selective compilation of largely unverified information” to build “a false narrative.”



 71st session of UNGA (2016)

What would turn out to be then prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s last speech to the UNGA came in the aftermath of Kashmiri freedom fighter Burhan Wani’s killing by Indian occupying forces. Nawaz eulogised Wani who “emerged as a symbol of the latest Kashmiri Intifada, a popular and peaceful freedom movement, led by Kashmiris, young and old, men and women, armed only with an undying faith in the legitimacy of their cause, and a hunger for freedom in their hearts.”

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif the 71st session of the UNGA. PHOTO: REUTERS

Nawaz called on the UN to urgently implement resolutions on Kashmir to pave the way for peace and stability in South Asia. Nawaz also announced that Pakistan would present a dossier on Indian violations in occupied Kashmir.

The then prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s offer to “enter into a serious and sustained dialogue for the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes” with India saying peace would remain elusive till the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.



70th session of UNGA (2015)

During the 70th UNGA session, Nawaz proposed a four-point peace initiative with India premised on the formalisation of the 2003 understanding of a complete ceasefire in Kashmir; reaffirmation from both sides on not resorting to use of force; a demilitarised Kashmir and withdrawal of troops from Siachen. “Cooperation, not confrontation, should define our relationship,” Nawaz said.“Three generations of Kashmiris have only seen broken promises,” the then prime minister said terming Kashmir the UN’s most glaring failure.

PM Nawaz addresses the 70th session of the UNGA. PHOTO: AFP

In 2015, Nawaz also called for a more “democratic, transparent Security Council” saying that the UNSC should reflect interests of all member states and not be an expanded club of the powerful and privileged.

69th session of UNGA (2014)

With the cancellation of planned Pakistan-India foreign-secretary  talks in 2014, Nawaz expressed disappointment over the Indian move saying “people of the sub-continent are losing out opportunities of progress and development due to regional conflicts.”

Nawaz also took a jibe at the UN saying the organisation had passed resolutions to hold a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir over six decades earlier. The people of Kashmir, however, were still to see the promises fulfilled.



As he reiterated his commitment to building a peaceful neighbourhood in South Asia, the then prime minister told world leaders that the Kashmir issue cannot be sidelined till it was resolved in line with the wishes of the region’s people. “We cannot draw a veil over the issue of Kashmir,” he said.

Nawaz Sharif addresses the 69th United Nations General Assembly. PHOTO: REUTERS

68th session of UNGA (2013)

In his first address to the UNGA after becoming prime minister for the third time, Nawaz spoke positively about relations with India saying his accession to power represented a ‘new beginning’ for bilateral ties.“I am committed to working for a peaceful and economically prosperous region. This is what our people want and this is what I have long aspired for,” Nawaz said.

He said both countries had squandered “massive resources” on a nuclear arms race which could have been used for the economic well-being of the people. With an optimistic undertone, Nawaz said the two countries still have the opportunity to do so by cooperating and added that he looked forward to re-engaging with India in a substantive and purposeful dialogue.

PM Nawaz at the 68th session of UNGA. PHOTO: AFP

Nawaz had also demanded a halt to drone attacks in Pakistan saying, “the attacks conducted by US-led NATO forces on Pakistani soil using unmanned spy planes are counter-productive” violate the nation’s sovereignty.

He had also shed light on Pakistan's sacrifices in the war on terror. "We have lost 40,000 lives” the premier said, adding that there had been colossal damage to the social and physical infrastructure of Pakistan. “Our economy has been denied the opportunity to grow. This must change now."