PM Shehbaz Addresses UNGA on Regional Security, Kashmir, and Gaza

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he discussed key regional and global issues. He emphasised the importance of the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, describing them as vital "arteries of the global economy" that should promote prosperity rather than become sites of conflict. Shehbaz called for diplomacy to address rising regional tensions, stating, "Those waters must carry the promise of prosperity, not the perils of war."

Addressing the Indus Waters Treaty, the prime minister warned that any attempt to stop, impede, or divert Pakistan’s share of river waters would be viewed as an "act of war." He stated that India's decision to suspend the treaty had "no legal basis" and stressed that the agreement remains "valid, binding and fully operative." He insisted that "water must never be weaponised. Rivers should nourish nations, not divide them."

Prime Minister Shehbaz also referred to the conflict with India in May 2025, stating that Pakistan exercised its right to self-defence and credited US President Donald Trump for helping to prevent a wider confrontation between the two countries. He called for a "just and fair" resolution to the Kashmir dispute and reiterated Pakistan's long-standing position, declaring, "Kashmir has been, and always will be, Pakistan’s jugular vein."

On the subject of terrorism, Shehbaz Sharif described it as a major threat to international peace. He reported that Pakistan had lost nearly 100,000 lives and suffered more than $150 billion in economic damages due to terrorism. He accused groups such as TTP and BLA of using Afghan territory to launch attacks and urged Afghan authorities to take "verifiable action" to stop such activities.

In his speech, the prime minister condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, highlighting the suffering of Palestinian civilians, especially women and children. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Additionally, he denounced Israeli actions in Lebanon and Syria and called for an immediate end to the violence.