ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a press conference at the Foreign Office on Friday to update the media about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.
Dar noted that the prime minister led Pakistan’s delegation to the UNGA and explained that this briefing was necessary since the delegation was unable to meet journalists covering the event in New York. He described the UN General Assembly as a platform where representatives of member states engage in a general debate, especially during the session’s opening, which brings together world leaders and senior officials.
He added that Pakistani leaders utilize this opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from other countries, always prioritizing Pakistan’s national interests. Notably, Dar mentioned that Pakistan’s diplomatic activities during this session were more extensive than in previous years.
In his address to the UNGA, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif articulated Pakistan’s position on critical regional matters, including Kashmir and Palestine, with a bold and clear stance. The prime minister also raised the issue of water scarcity on the international stage, outlining Pakistan’s perspective on this pressing concern.
Dar emphasized that Pakistan informed the global community about its commitment to promoting peace and encouraging dialogue. The country’s efforts to reinforce multilateralism received positive recognition at the UN.
Furthermore, Pakistan presented proposals on enhancing the cooperation between the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations, aiming to strengthen their joint work. Dar highlighted the prime minister’s diplomatic success in facilitating talks between Iran and the United States after 47 years of estrangement, a move that was widely appreciated.
The prime minister also addressed the significant impact of the closures of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, explaining how these developments affected Pakistan, including a doubling of oil prices. Additionally, Shehbaz Sharif spoke on issues related to Afghanistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, informing the international audience of Pakistan’s viewpoints.
Dar remarked that no other speech at the UN General Assembly matched the impact of Prime Minister Shehbaz’s address, which was met with repeated applause in the assembly hall.
More details will follow.
