By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday address to the UN General Assembly in New York and spoke on several issues including Israeli barbarism in Gaza, attacks on Lebanon, Indian barbarism in Kashmir, impact of climate change and growing Islamophobia in wetern world.

Sharif also warned India to come on dialogue and resolve Kashmir issue otherwize his country will respond to any Indian aggression with full force.

"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. Mr President! Let me state, in no uncertain terms that Pakistan will respond, most decisively, to any Indian aggression," he said

The following is his speech trasncript

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمُ

Mr. President,
Heads of State and Government,
Excellencies,
Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalam-o-Alaikum!

2. It is a matter of great honour for me, to address the United Nations General Assembly for the second time, as the Prime Minister of a country, that has always been a pro-active member of the UN family.

3. I would like to congratulate and wish you success, Mr. President, on your election, as the President of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.

4. I also thank Ambassador Dennis Francis, for his skilful stewardship, of the 78th Session of the UNGA.
Mr. President,

5. The Father of our nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, declared in 1947 that, “we stand by the United Nations Charter, and, will gladly make, our full contribution, to peace and prosperity, of the world.” Pakistan has stood by this commitment unwaveringly.

6. Today, we are facing 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 geopolitical tensions; resurging terrorism; galloping poverty; stifling debt, and the mounting impact of climate change. We feel the chill, of a new Cold War!

7. In response to these challenges, our Secretary-General, António Guterres called for the Summit of the Future. It led to the adoption of the 54 actions on development, peace and security, technology, and global governance, in the Pact of the Future.
Mr. President,

8. Today, I stand before you, to express, the searing pain and anguish of the people of Pakistan, at the plight of the people of Gaza. Our hearts bleed, as we witness the tragedy unfolding, in the Holy Land, a tragedy that shakes the very conscience of humanity and the foundation of this institution.

Mr President,

9. Can we, as human beings, remain silent, while children, lie buried, under the rubble of their shattered homes? Can we, turn a blind- eye to the mothers, cradling the lifeless bodies, of their children? This is not just a conflict; this is systematic slaughter, of innocent people; an assault on the very essence of human life and dignity. The blood of Gaza’s children stains the hands of not just the oppressors, but also of those, who are complicit, in prolonging, this cruel conflict.

10. When we ignore their endless suffering, we diminish our own humanity. It is not enough to condemn; we must act now, and demand an immediate end, to this bloodshed. We must remember that the blood and sacrifice of the innocent Palestinians, will never go waste.

11. We must work for a durable peace, through the Two-State solution. We must seek a viable, secure, contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif, as its eternal capital. And, to advance these goals, Palestine must also be immediately admitted, as a full member of the United Nations!

Mr. President,

12. In a span of a few days, Israel’s unrelenting bombing of Lebanon, has killed over 500 people, including women, and even small children.

13. The failure to implement UN resolutions, has emboldened Israel. It threatens to drag the entire Middle East, into a war, whose consequences could be grave and beyond imagination.

Mr. President,

14. Like the people of Palestine, the people of Jammu and Kashmir ‘too’ have struggled, for a century, for their freedom, and right to self-determination.

15. Instead of moving towards peace, India, has resiled, from its commitments to implement the Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. These resolutions, mandate a plebiscite, to enable, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, to exercise, their fundamental right to self-determination.

16. Since 5 August 2019, India has initiated, unilateral illegal steps, to impose, what it’s leaders ominously call, a “Final Solution” for Jammu and Kashmir.
17. Day in and day out, 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.

18. At the same time, in a classic settler-colonial project, India is seizing, Kashmiri lands and properties, and settling outsiders, into occupied Jammu and Kashmir, their nefarious design, to transform the Muslim-majority into a minority. This hackneyed tactic, is employed by all occupying powers, but it has always failed. In Jammu and Kashmir too, it shall fail, InshaAllah!

Ladies & Gentlemen!

19. The Kashmiri people, are resolute, in rejection, of the false Indian identity, that New Delhi, seeks to impose upon them. India’s policy of brutal coersion and oppression, in occupied Kashmir has ensured, that Burhan Wani’s legacy, continues to inspire, the struggle and sacrifices, of millions of Kashmiris.
Inspired by the legitimacy, of their epic struggle, they remain defiant. Their heart-wrenching stories, remind us, that behind, every statistic, lies a human life, a dream deferred, and a hope shattered.

20. Even more worryingly, India is engaged, in a massive expansion of its military capabilities, which are, essentially, deployed against Pakistan. Its war doctrines, envisage a surprise attack and a “limited war under, the nuclear Overhang”.

21. 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. Mr President! Let me state, in no uncertain terms that Pakistan will respond, most decisively, to any Indian aggression.

22. Therefore, to secure durable peace, India must reverse, the unilateral, and illegal measures, it has taken since 5 August 2019, and enter into a dialogue, for a peaceful resolution, of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions, and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Mr. President,

Remember! Illegal occupation, creates a fresh hell, every day, in the killing fields of Palestine, and in the pristine valleys of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr. President,

23. Apart from conflicts, the 21st Century has brought, a cascade of crises, including, the reversal of development, and the mounting impact of climate change.

24. Two years ago, my country was devastated by catastrophic floods, causing, $30 billion in damages. It is now clear, that each summer, will- bring, blistering temperatures, and trigger, fresh climate impacts. Pakistan emits less than 1% of carbon globally; yet, we have paid a very heavy price, for no fault of ours. This is most unfair in any calculus of global justice. We must uphold, the axiom: the polluter pays!

Ladies & Gentlemen!

25. Pakistan, looks forward to fulfilment, of commitments, made by our development partners to support, the achievements of the SDGs and climate goals, including, a new annual goal, beyond $100 billion US Dollars in climate finance.

Mr. President,

26. With nearly 100 developing countries, trapped, in the vicious cycle, of debt and liquidity crisis- which I call a “death trap” rather than “debt trap”. Achieving the SDGs, in these circumstances, remains a distant mirage.

27. The international financial architecture – which, the Secretary-General has described, as “morally bankrupt” – and the world trade, and technology regimes must be reformed and aligned, to promote, development, and global equity.

Mr. President,

28. Since assuming office, in March this year, the progress and prosperity, of my
240 million people, has been my singular focus.

29. We have taken difficult, but necessary decisions that have rescued our economy
from collapse; restored, macroeconomic stability; controlled fiscal deficits, and strengthened our reserves. As a result, inflation has come down to a single digit, and the prospects, for economic growth, have revived.

I would like to recite a stanza from a poem:

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit !

Mr. President,
30. Situated, at the crossroads of South, and Central Asia, and the Middle East, we have prioritized, geo-economics and
regional connectivity, to secure, win-win outcomes for our people. The second phase, of the landmark, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has been successfully launched.

31. Through the apex, Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), we are mobilizing investments, in resilient infrastructure,
renewable energy, minerals, sustainable agriculture, and technology. This will herald, a new era of development, and modernization.

Ladies & Gentlemen!
32. For two decades, Pakistan has fought terrorism, boldly and most successfully, defeating, terrorist groups, within Pakistan. We have paid a heavy price – 80,000 of our brave soldiers and civilians, have been martyred, including innocent school going children, memories of APS school carnage haunt us till date. Our economy, has suffered, a loss of $150 billion.

33. Unfortunately, today, we are again confronted, by a new wave of externally financed and sponsored terrorism, especially by the TTP, The BLA, The Majeed Brigade, Fitna al-Khawarij and its associates.
Ladies & Gentlemen!

34. Make no mistake, we are determined to eliminate this threat as well, 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.

Mr. President,

35. Pakistan seeks the earliest possible normalization, of the situation in Afghanistan. We join the UN’s appeal for $3 billion in humanitarian assistance, to the millions of, suffering Afghan brothers and sisters.

36. At the same time, we endorse and share, the international expectation, that the Afghan Interim Government, would respect, human rights, including, the rights of women and girls, and promote political inclusion.

37. In particular, the Interim Government must take effective action, to neutralize, all terrorist groups, within Afghanistan, especially
those responsible for cross-border terrorism, against, neighbouring countries. These include ISIL-K (Daesh), the Al-Qaeda-associated TTP, The BLA, The Majeed Brigade, Fitna al-Khawarij and others, such as the ETIM, IMU and Ansarullah.

Mr. President,

38. Another troubling global development, is the escalation of Islamophobia, which is now manifested, by frequent desecrations of the Holy Quran, attacks on mosques, negative stereotyping, of Muslims, and acts of discrimination, and violence, against them.

39. The most alarming manifestation, of Islamophobia, is the Hindu supremacist agenda in India. It aggressively seeks, the subjugation of 200 million Muslims, and the obliteration, of India’s Islamic heritage.

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

Mr. President,

41. Pakistan seeks, an immediate end to the tragic conflict in Ukraine, and its peaceful resolution, in accordance with the UN Charter and international agreements.

Ladies & Gentlemen!

42. Pakistan has a long, and proud history
of solidarity, friendship and cooperation with the nations of Africa. We will continue to cooperate with them, to counter terrorism, and resolve, regional conflicts, including, through UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding in their region.

Mr. President,

43. 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!

I thank you