Pakistan’s Prime Minister warns of regional tensions, calls for ceasefire in Gaza
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, warned that the world was facing “testing times” marked by war, terrorism, and climate change, while calling for urgent global action to restore peace.
Sharif said Pakistan had faced “unprovoked aggression” from India earlier this year, praising his country’s armed forces for their “professional and brave” response, and credited US President Donald Trump with helping secure a ceasefire. While condemning India’s actions in Kashmir and alleged violations of the Indus Water Treaty, he also offered “comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue” to resolve disputes.
On the Middle East, the prime minister strongly condemned Israel’s “genocidal onslaught” in Gaza, describing the suffering of Palestinian children as among “the most heart-wrenching tragedies of our times.” He demanded an immediate ceasefire and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a Palestinian state within pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Sharif also voiced support for a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine, highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, and renewed his call for urgent action on climate change, stressing that Pakistan contributes less than 1% to global emissions yet suffers disproportionate losses from extreme weather.
Closing his speech, he urged nations to embrace multilateralism, declaring: “Let this 80th anniversary not simply commemorate history — let us make history and chart a future for global peace and justice.”
