Indian troops unleashed reign of terror in occupied Kashmir: PM Shehbaz at UNGA

NEW YORK: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz said that Indian troops unleashed a reign of terror in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the right to self-determination of the valley’s people.

Addressing the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), PM Shehbaz said that the Kashmir dispute remains a pressing concern on the Security Council’s agenda, with Pakistan advocating for a resolution based on UN resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.

“It is an honour for me to address the United Nations General Assembly for the second time as the prime minister of the country that has always been the proactive member of the UN Assembly,” PM Shehbaz said while starting the speech.

PM Shehbaz in his address to the UNGA also highlighted the sufferings of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and said that Modi-led Indian government resiled from commitments to implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir which mandated a plebiscite to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their fundamental right to self-determination.

“Since 5 August 2019, India has initiated unilateral illegal steps to impose what its leaders ominously call, a “Final Solution” for Jammu and Kashmir. Nine hundred thousand Indian troops terrorize the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, with draconian measures, including prolonged curfews, extra-judicial killings and the abduction of thousands of young Kashmiris.”

Apprising the global leaders of India’s massive expansion of its military capabilities, he said its war doctrines, envisaged a surprise attack and a “limited war under the nuclear overhang”. Thoughtlessly, India has spurned Pakistan’s proposals, for a mutual “Strategic Restraint Regime”. Its leadership has often threatened to cross the Line of Control and “take-over” Azad Kashmir,” he added.

‘Pakistan will respond to any Indian aggression in most decisive manner’

The prime minister also called for the reversal of the Indian unilateral and illegal measures of August 5, 2019 to enter into a dialogue for a peaceful resolution, of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

“Let me state, in no uncertain terms that Pakistan will respond, most decisively, to any Indian aggression,” he remarked.

“As we leave this august hall, we must carry with us a message for our people that the weak are not voiceless, that the oppressed should not lose hope, that poverty is not pre-ordained, and that the Almighty’s promise of justice and equality in our only terrestrial home, must be respected,” he urged.

He said Pakistan’s founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared that the country stands by the UN resolutions and has stood by this commitment unwaveringly.

“Today, we are facing [the] most daunting challenges to the world order. Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, a dangerous conflict in Ukraine, destructive conflicts across Africa and Asia, rising geo-political tensions resurging terrorism, galloping poverty, stifling debt and a mounting impact of climate change,” he said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also demanded an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, terming it a ‘systematic slaughter’ and ‘bloodshed’ by the Israeli military .

“Illegal occupation creates a fresh hell, every day, in the killing fields of Palestine, and in occupied Jammu and Kashmir… Can we turn a blind eye to the mothers, cradling the lifeless bodies of their children? This is not just a conflict, this is a systematic slaughter of innocent Palestinians. An assault on the very essence of human life and dignity, the blood of Gazan children stains not just the hands of the oppressors but also those complicit in prolonging this cruel conflict.”

He said humanity died when the ‘endless suffering ‘of Palestinians was ignored.

“It is not enough to condemn and we must act now and demand an immediate end to this bloodshed. We must remember that the blood and sacrifice of innocent Palestinians will never go to waste. We must worry about their plight and difficulties and stand by them.”

Pakistan sacrificed 80,000 lives in war against terrorism

The prime minister said that Pakistan sacrificed around 80,000 lives of soldiers and civilians and suffered economic loss worth US$150 billion in its fight against terrorism. He reiterated the nation’s resolve to counter the new wave of “externally financed and sponsored” terrorism, especially by the Fitna al-Khawarij (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and its associates.

“Make no mistake, we are determined to eliminate this threat once again, through our comprehensive national effort, “Azm-e-Istehkam” (Resolve to Promote Stability). And, we will work collectively with the international community to combat all forms of terrorism and reform the global counter-terrorism architecture,” he reaffirmed.

Afghanistan urged to take action against cross-border terrorism

Coming to Afghanistan, the prime minister said Pakistan desired the earliest possible normalisation of the situation in Afghanistan and joined the UN’s appeal for US$3 billion in humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people.

He urged the Afghan Interim Government to meet international expectations to respect human rights, including the rights of women and girls, promote political inclusion.

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PM Shehbaz in his address to the leaders of 193 countries at the UNGA also asked Afghan government to take effective action to neutralise all terrorist groups within its territory, especially those responsible for cross-border terrorism against neighbouring countries. These include ISIL-K (Daesh), the Al-Qaeda-affiliated TTP/Fitna al-Khawarij, Majeed Brigade, BLA and others.

Islamophobia

PM Shehbaz said that Islamophobia was manifested, by frequent desecrations of the Holy Quran, attacks on mosques, negative stereotyping of Muslims, and acts of discrimination and violence against them. The most alarming manifestation of Islamophobia is the Hindu supremacist agenda in India seeking the subjugation of 200 million Muslims and the obliteration of India’s Islamic heritage, he added.

Pakistan and the OIC would work with the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy to implement a plan of action to combat this scourge, he assured.

Climate change

PM Shehbaz at the UNGA while referring to the devastation  by climate change-induced floods in Pakistan in 2022, said that the calamity caused US$30 billion in damages despite the country’s less than 1 percent carbon emissions.

“This is unfair in any calculus of global justice. We must uphold the axiom: the polluter must pay,” he remarked and called for the fulfillment of commitments made by the developed countries in climate financing to support the achievements of the SDGs and climate goals.