PM Imran to represent Pakistan at UNGA next month

Will raise Kashmir issue in his General Debate address, which, according to sources, is scheduled for Sept 27

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will highlight Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir in his address at the 74th UN General Assembly session next month. According to sources, his General Debate speech is scheduled for September 27.

The move is part of Pakistan's diplomatic offensive against New Delhi's unilateral decision of revoking the semi-autonomous status of the Muslim-majority territory on August 5, stepping up movement restrictions and cutting off phone and internet access to head off civil unrest across the region.

Islamabad in its immediate response downgraded its diplomatic ties and suspended bilateral trade and reached out to the international community asking to intervene.

Last week, Pakistan also took up the matter at the UNSC which was hailed by the country's officials as the great diplomatic achievement and internationalisation of the Kashmir dispute.

Sources in the PM Office said that the premier will embark on a four-day visit to US on September 23. He will hold meetings with his Malaysian counterpart as well as other world leaders on the sidelines of the session, besides meeting representatives from the Pakistani diaspora and business community in the states.

The prime minister, insiders said, has directed his party to mobilise community members and human rights organisations to protest against India and its premier in New York during the summit.