NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a strongly-worded address to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), urged urgent collective action to address the crises of Gaza, Islamophobia, and climate change, while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and multilateral cooperation.
Condemning Israel’s genocidal onslaught in Gaza, the premier said each passing day brought “new brutality” upon Palestinians, particularly women and children. In its blind pursuit of nefarious goals, the Israeli leadership has unleashed a shameful campaign against innocent Palestinians which history will remember as one of its darkest chapters, he said. Citing the tragic death of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child, Mr Sharif lamented that the global community had failed her, and she will not forgive us.
The prime minister also called on the interim Afghan government to uphold human rights, particularly women’s rights, and to take decisive action against terrorist groups, ensuring that Afghan soil was not used against any country.
On Islamophobia, he warned that hate-driven ideologies such as Hindutva extremism in India posed a threat to global peace. There must be no space for hate speech, discrimination or violence against any religion, he said, welcoming the UN’s decision to appoint a special envoy to counter Islamophobia.
Turning to climate change, Mr Sharif declared a climate emergency in Pakistan, recalling the devastation caused by the 2022 and 2025 floods. He underlined that despite contributing less than one per cent to global emissions, Pakistan remained on the frontline of climate induced disasters. This is not fairness, this is not equality, this is not justice,” he said, criticising international reliance on debt-driven responses. Borrowing loans to cope with climate losses is akin to destroying our economy. We would be better off standing on our own feet, working hard and tirelessly.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s vision for global cooperation, the prime minister concluded: “At this 80th anniversary of the UN, let us not simply commemorate history. Let’s make history and chart a future of peace, justice, and development together. Let us truly strive to become better, together.