PM Shehbaz at UNGA

Pakistan, as a constituent of developing nations, pushed hard the envelope for peace and reconciliation at the 79th General Assembly session of the United Nations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took no qualms in pointing out that wars and destruction are taking a toll from Africa to Asia, and also tapping on the doors of Europe as the Russo-Ukrainian conflict seems to have no end.

With much articulation, Pakistan expressed its renewed commitment to multilateralism as the world slides from unipolarity to a new no-rules-based order. This is where the genesis of the UN Charter stands tall to address the existential crisis prevalent worldwide, and that can only be resourced as the world body's role in maintaining global peace, security, and prosperity is upheld without any partisanship.

While extending Pakistan's support for the UN's goal and objectives, the PM invited the attention of world leaders towards Palestine and Kashmir, and elucidated as to how barbarism has been let loose on Gaza in the wake of Israeli transgression. Terming it a "systematic slaughter and bloodshed", he demanded an immediate end to the carnage underway in the Middle East.

A strong recourse was also drawn towards the plight of occupied Kashmir and the excesses that are being committed on hapless Kashmiris for the last seven decades by India, as the UN has failed to implement its resolutions for self-determination and plebiscite. He also drew attention towards the hoodwinking measures that Delhi has undertaken after August 2019 by altering demography in the occupied state.

As an incoming member of the UN Security Council for the upcoming year, Pakistan reiterated its intention to play an active role in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Some of the issues duly highlighted by Sharif were resurging terrorism, poverty and debt concerns, and the impact of climate change. As Islamabad has been a victim of terrorism itself, it's time for the UN member states to rally for sentiments of peace to silence the drums of warfare.