PM exhorts UN to prevent new arms race
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to revive global efforts to halt and reverse new arms race in nuclear and conventional weapons, and assert more control over new weapons and technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), that could escalate conflicts.
Shehbaz, who is in New York to attend the 79th UN General Assembly session, held several important meetings, including with top officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates.
The prime minister also participated in a 'High-Level Open Debate of the UNSC on 'Leadership for Peace'. His speech highlighted Pakistan's priorities for its two-year membership of the council for 2025-26 period, starting from the new year.
Dilating on the objectives Pakistan would pursue with cooperation with other member states in the Security Council after assuming its seat, Shehbaz stressed the need for building measures to prevent a war between major powers, and ease the rising tension, especially in Asia.
He asked the UNSC to declare zero tolerance for illegal use of force and revive efforts to halt and reverse new arms race in nuclear and conventional weapons. "It must also build control over new weapons and technologies including artificial intelligence that is making war more likely and more lethal," he said.
He urged the UNSC to apply sanctions against Israel, including an arms and trade embargo for its genocide against the Palestinians and the crimes against the Lebanese people. "We must compel Israel to halt its genocide in Gaza and prevent its attempts to provoke a wider conflict in the Middle East."
Shehbaz said that it was time to hold Israeli leadership accountable for its crimes against the Palestinians and the Lebanese people. He also urged the UNSC to develop an impartial plan for a ceasefire and peaceful solution for the war in Ukraine.
He said proliferating wars in the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere, great powers' tension, and growing poverty were threating the foundations of the world order. "We must give life to our commitments, otherwise, the future will be bleak and dangerous," he stressed.
The prime minister called upon the UNSC to effectively address the resurgence of the threat of terrorism from Afghanistan, especially from Daesh, and Fitna al-Khawaraij. Similarly, he sought UN support for African countries to defeat terrorism. "UN peacekeeping must become more robust and effective."
Also, Shehbaz appealed to the Security Council not to ignore the fostering Jammu and Kashmir dispute any longer. "It poses a great threat to international peace and security. The council must call for a halt to the massive violations of the fundamental rights of Kashmiri people," he added.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister's Office in Islamabad on Thursday, Shehbaz, in a meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, highlighted the urgent need for mobilising adaptation financing for climate change issues.
The prime minister agreed to have Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb taking up this critical issue with senior IMF management during the Annual Meetings in October, the press release said, adding that the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation to promote Pakistan's economic stability and growth.
The IMF managing director reiterated the IMF's support for Pakistan's efforts and emphasised the importance of maintaining macroeconomic stability and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, the press release added.
Shehbaz hailed the approval of IMF's $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan. He appreciated the IMF's technical assistance and capacity-building programmes, which had helped strengthen the country's institutions and improve its economic management.
In a separate meeting with World Bank President Ajaypal Singh Banga, Shehbaz apprised him of the government's steps, involving policy, administrative and organisational reforms to realise the full potential of the country's economy and to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
The prime minister appreciated the World Bank's continuous support to Pakistan in introducing critical economic reforms. He added that Pakistan looked forward to enhanced support from the World Bank for the government's revitalised economic reforms agenda.
On the fringes of the UNGA, Shehbaz met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, European Union (EU) President Ursula Von der Leyen and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and discussed with them the international and bilateral matters.
The prime minister apprised his British counterpart of Pakistan's current economic situation and the challenges due to the adverse effects of climate change. He stressed the need for collective action from the international community in the fight against terrorism
Shehbaz also discussed with Starmer the investment opportunities and projects available in Pakistan. Referring to the significant role of the overseas Pakistanis in the UK, Shehbaz expressed the desire to utilize their contributions to achieve mutual development goals.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also discussed bilateral cooperation in his meeting with the EU President Von Der Leyen. He said that Pakistan had demonstrated consistent commitment to fully implement the international conventions related to EU's Generalised System of preferences (GSP-Plus).
Talking to President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Shehbaz strongly condemned the atrocities being committed by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian people. he called on the international community to demand an immediate ceasefire and the creation of the State of Palestine.
"This kind of barbarism hasn't been witnessed not only in the recent past but since ages," the prime minister remarked. He warned that if the Israeli atrocities were allowed to linger on, the situation would become very tense.
Meanwhile, the prime minister thanked Bill Gates for the invitation to visit the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) in Seattle in December 2024. He also appreciated the BMGF's engagement and support to Pakistan on polio eradication, maternal and child health and other initiatives.
Acknowledging Pakistan's efforts Bill Gates stressed that polio eradication was vital to protect the future generations from this crippling disease. He appreciated the prime minister's personal supervision and engagement of the provincial governments in the polio vaccine programme across the country.
Gates shared updates on a comprehensive health dialogue with Afghanistan and requested support for the initiative. The prime minister complimented the Gates Foundation for its Polio campaign in Gaza given the challenges there and the plight of children.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)