NEW YORK – Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, focusing his speech on diplomacy, regional security, Makkah, the Indo-Pak conflict and the Kashmir conflict.

Beginning his address by reciting the Holy Quran, Shahbaz Sharif said that he is representing the peaceful people of Pakistan before the international organization.

Live: Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif’s address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly

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The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic role in bringing the US and Iran together in Islamabad, saying that Field Marshal Asim Munir’s efforts have created space for diplomacy.

He stressed that the international community should raise its voice for dialogue and diplomacy instead of allowing the conflict to escalate.

‘Hermes, Bab al-Mandab must remain open’

Turning to regional security, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab should remain open and should not turn into a pit of conflict.

He also strongly condemned the alleged drone attack on the holy city of Makkah and said that Muslims around the world are saddened and angry by this incident.

Shahbaz Sharif declared that the sanctity of Haramain should be considered a red line and reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with the people of Saudi Arabia.

The Prime Minister defended the Makkah Agreement.

Addressing the recently concluded Makkah Agreement, the Prime Minister said that this agreement was not intended for any country. He described it as a collective effort aimed at strengthening defense and promoting peace and stability in the region.

‘India attacked Pakistan under false pretenses’

Analyzing the India-Pakistan confrontation, Shahbaz Sharif said that India attacked Pakistan, which he termed as a false pretext. He said that Pakistan exercised its right of self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and fought against India under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir.

According to the Prime Minister, Pakistan gave such a reply to India that it will not forget.

Trump took credit for saving millions of lives.

Shahbaz Sharif also appreciated the role of US President Donald Trump in preventing further tension between Pakistan and India. He said Trump’s leadership had saved millions of lives in South Asia, stressing that the two nuclear-armed neighbors were on the brink of open conflict.

The Prime Minister warned that the region should not be allowed to return to such a dangerous situation.

‘Kashmir must be resolved’

Linking lasting regional peace with the Kashmir conflict, Shahbaz Sharif said that South Asia can avoid another crisis only if the Kashmir issue is resolved.

He demanded to hold a plebiscite in Kashmir under the auspices of the United Nations.

The prime minister also alleged that collective punishment was being carried out in Kashmir and attempts were being made to change the demographic structure of the region.

With his address, Shahbaz Sharif placed Pakistan’s demands for diplomacy, regional stability, Saudi security and a UN-backed solution to the Kashmir dispute at the heart of his message to the international community.