Address by Prime Minister at the General Debate of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly.
New York : Presidency of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, and thank Philemon Yang, for his stewardship of the previous Session.
I also commend Secretary-General António Guterres, for his bold leadership of the United Nations in testing times.
Today, is the third time I have had the honor of speaking to this august Assembly, as Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Our world is more complex today, than ever before:
• Conflicts are intensifying;
• International law is being brazenly violated;
• Humanitarian crises are multiplying;
• Terrorism remains a potent threat;
• Disinformation and fake news undermine trust;
• Unrestrained arms race, and emerging technologies, aggravate risks of catastrophic miscalculation; and, above all;
• Climate change threatens our very survival.
Multilateralism is no more an option; it is essential.
While we welcome the “Pact for the Future” and the “UN80 Initiative”, mere declarations are not enough.
Excellencies,
Pakistan’s foreign policy, guided by the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah – is based on peace, mutual respect, and cooperation.
We believe in the peaceful settlement of disputes, through dialogue and diplomacy.
Last year, from this very podium, I had warned that Pakistan would act most decisively against any external aggression. Those words proved true, when, in May this year, my country confronted unprovoked aggression from our eastern front. The enemy came shrouded in arrogance; we sent them back in humiliation.
Excellencies,
India sought to extract political gains from a human tragedy, by spurning my offer of an independent investigation into the Pahalgam incident. Instead, it attacked our cities, and targeted our innocent civilians. When our territorial integrity and national security were violated, our response was in accordance with the inherent right of self-defense, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Our valiant armed forces, under the stellar leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, mounted an operation of stunning professionalism and bravery. Repulsing the enemy’s attack, under Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Babar Sidhu, our falcons took flight and etched their answer across the skies resulting in seven of the Indian jets turned to scrap and dust—a decisive response to the aggressor that will echo through the annals of history.
To the fearless architects of this victory, to every officer and soldier, heirs of our martyrs—their names are forever engraved in glory. To the mothers of our martyrs, their courage guides our path forward and their sacrifice shall never be in vain, Insha’Allah. And to every Pakistani, you stood as one unbreakable wall, a Bunyan Um Marsoos.
Excellencies,
Though in a position of strength, Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, facilitated by President Donald Trump’s bold and visionary leadership. We express our deep appreciation to him and his team for their active role in bringing about the ceasefire. President Trump’s efforts for peace helped avert a more threatening war in South Asia. Had he not intervened timely and decisively, the consequences of a full-fledged war would have been catastrophic.
We are also grateful to our friends and partners including China, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Iran, UAE, and the UN Secretary-General, for extending their diplomatic support to Pakistan at this crucial time.
Excellencies,
We have won the war and now we seek to win peace! Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues. South Asia requires “proactive”, rather than “provocative” leadership!
India’s unilateral and illegal attempt to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance defies the provisions of the Treaty itself, as well as the norms of international law. Pakistan has made it abundantly clear—and let there be no doubt—we will definitely, and ardently defend the inalienable right of our 240 million people on these waters. To us, any violation of this treaty represents an act of war.
Excellencies,
This latest Indian aggression serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous flashpoint between two nuclear armed rivals—the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
For nearly eighty years, India has tried to muzzle the voices of the brave sons and daughters of Kashmir. Thousands of widows, orphans and the elderly seek answers from all of us. When will their misery end? Who will provide them justice? Why is the international community still silent? Do the Kashmiris have no human rights?
Through this august house, I wish to assure the Kashmiri people, that I stand with them, the people of Pakistan stand with them, and soon, one day, Insha’Allah, India’s tyranny in Kashmir will come to an end! Kashmir will gain its inalienable right to self-determination through an impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations.
Excellencies,
The plight of the Palestinian people is one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies of our times. This prolonged injustice is a stain on the global conscience, and our collective moral failure. For nearly eighty years, the Palestinians have courageously endured Israel’s brutal occupation of their homeland.
In the West Bank, each passing day brings new brutality, illegal settlers who terrorize and kill with impunity. And in Gaza, Israel’s genocidal onslaught has unleashed unspeakable terror upon women and children in a manner we have not witnessed in decades, perhaps ever. In blind pursuit of its nefarious goals, the Israeli leadership has unleashed a shameful campaign against the innocent Palestinians, which history will always remember as one of its darkest chapters.
But speak we must, Madam President. Our words are too little too late for Hind Rajab — a child, nay, a little baby. We have all heard her trembling voice on that phone call, which little Hind made as she struggled to stay alive under Israeli onslaught.
Can you imagine that little girl—Hind Rajab—as if she was your daughter? Can you imagine not having the compassion to spare her life? My agony, and the agony of the entire Muslim Ummah, indeed, I think the agony of all nations on the planet is that we failed Hind Rajab.
As they say, “the smallest coffins are the heaviest to carry.” I for one would know, for I too carried the tiny coffin of a seven-year-old Irtaza Abbas, during the recent confrontation with India.
We cannot—we must not—fail these children of Gaza, or any child anywhere—we must find a path to a ceasefire.
Pakistan firmly supports the demand of the Palestinian people for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, with pre-1967 borders, and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Palestine can no longer remain under Israeli shackles. It must be liberated!
Excellencies,
Pakistan was among the first to recognize Palestinian statehood in 1988. We welcome the recognition of the State of Palestine by a number of countries recently and urge others to also follow suit.
We are further grateful for President Trump’s timely initiative to invite Arab-Islamic states for a consultative session at the United Nations. It has rekindled hope for a ceasefire in the near future for which the credit must again be attributed to his quest for peace.
Israel’s recent attack on Doha, and its continued violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of numerous countries is reflective of its rogue behavior. Pakistan stands with the brotherly people of Qatar. We also support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict, in line with the UN Charter, to end human suffering and global turmoil caused by this protracted.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
