Nawaz to raise Kashmir issue in UN speech

Will also highlight New Delhi’s destabilising role in region

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is set to raise the issue of Kashmir in his speech at the 70th UN General Assembly today.

He is scheduled to address the assembly at 10pm Pakistan time on Wednesday, focusing on elimination of terrorism, economic cooperation and opposition of extension of the Security Council of the United Nations. It remains to be seen whether he will speak in Urdu.

Nawaz has been buoyed by his talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon with whom he raised the issue of plebiscite in the Himalayan state, demanding implementation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Read: Kashmir issue to be raised at every forum, says PM

On Tuesday he got a boost after a contact group of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) expressed solidarity with Kashmir.

Nawaz is also expected to mention India and how it is destabilising the region. He will cite incidents of border violence and tension along the line of control, urging the global community to pressure New Delhi to solve issues through talks.

Pakistan will also be opposing a permanent seat for India on the Security Council, having sought the support of many countries as well as three major powers.

The prime minister will be mentioning the economic and human losses to the country while combating terrorism, he will also mention Pakistan’s role in UN peacekeeping missions.

Italian, Turkish PMs

On Tuesday, Nawaz met with his counterparts from Italy and Turkey at the UN headquarters on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

Read: PM Nawaz urges UN chief for plebiscite in Kashmir

Pakistan and Italy pledged to boost their trade and economic ties, besides boosting bilateral cooperation at the level of the United Nations and the European Union.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2015.