Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be addressing the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 27.

The PM is expected to raise the issues of Kashmir, Palestine, and the rising prominence of Islamophobia in international diaspora according to a statement by the country’s foreign office.

Meeting with Bangladesh Interim PM on the cards

The PM is also expected to hold bilateral talks Bangladesh’s interim Prime Minister Mohammad Yunus to strengthen bilateral ties between the countries following Sheikh Hasina’s ousting. No formal meeting with US President Joe Biden is on the cards, however, the world leaders are expected to meet informally at points during the several events.

“During our interactions we will take up global issues, promoting peace, development & climate action. Will present Pakistan’s perspective to the world, advocate our interests & strengthen international partnerships”, he wrote in a post on X.

“Will present Pakistan’s perspective to the world, advocate our interests & strengthen international partnerships”

Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was also scheduled to travel to the US for the UNGA session, however, his trip was cancelled hours before PM Shehbaz left for London.

The debate at the UNGA will begin on Sept 24 and run through Sept 28. Prime Minister Shehbaz is slated to address the General Assembly on Sept 27.

UNGA Agenda:

The agenda for the 79^th UN General Assembly is focused on achieving a peaceful resolution to the ongoing global conflict. It included addressing the situation in the Middle East, the pertinent question of Palestine and providing ample humanitarian support to war-afflicted in Gaza. The General Assembly will also address the situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s forced takeover of the government. The situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia was also part of the agenda.

Kashmir is “key to peace”?

The issue of Kashmir was also raised in the previous UNGA session last year, where interim PM Anwaar Ul Haq Kakar had said that Kashmir was the “key to peace” between India and Pakistan. However, India retorted by saying that the route to peace in South Asia depends upon Pakistan taking action against its “terrorism infrastructure”, vacating its “forcible occupation” of Indian territories, and addressing the alleged human rights violations against marginalized groups in Pakistan.

Pakistani Kashmir controversy:

Pakistan has claimed Kashmir since the partition of India in 1947 and the countries have fought two wars over the region, which is also partially claimed by China. Pakistan accuses India of trying to marginalize Muslims there with its policies.

From 1954, the Indian region enjoyed special status under India’s constitution (Article 370). However, a dynamic shift was introduced in 2019, following the BJP-led government’s decision to abrogate Article 370 which revoked the region’s special status and reorganized Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories under the Indian constitution, ‘Jammu & Kashmir’ and ‘Ladakh’.

According to a Reuters report, this led to increased violence in the regions as scores more civilians, security personnel and militants have been killed since the special status was revoked.

PM Modi’s diplomatic visit to US

PM Modi is also currently in US on 3-day visit for the Quad Summit, Summit of the Future, and Meeting with the Indian diaspora in the US. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD or more commonly known as Quad), is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States that is maintained by communication between member countries.

He participated in the Quad Leaders’ summit hosted by US President Joe Biden in Wilmington, USA on the first leg of his visit. The attendees included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan. Following the leaders’ summit, he arrived in New York for the second leg of his visit.

In New York, the Indian PM addressed the Indian diaspora at an event in Long Island yesterday and is slated to address the UNGA at the Summit of The Future on September 23.

PM Modi also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the UNGA. PM Modi expressed “deep concern” over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, underscoring India’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced in the region.