PM Shehbaz Sharif Condemns Israeli Aggression, Calls for Immediate Ceasefire

On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif voiced strong condemnation of the continued violence by Israeli forces against Palestinians, urging the global community to unite in calling for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Addressing reporters alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Sharif stressed that regional peace would remain elusive unless a concerted effort was made to push for Palestinian statehood.

“The moment has come for us to collectively demand an immediate ceasefire and the creation of a State of Palestine. Without this, peace in the region will not be achieved. If this situation continues unchecked, tensions will only escalate,” Sharif warned.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, the Prime Minister expressed outrage over the ongoing violence in Gaza, which he described as genocidal.

“I am here to represent the sentiments of the people of Pakistan. Our hearts beat as one with the Palestinian people. We strongly denounce these barbaric acts,” Sharif said, noting that over 41,000 Palestinians had been killed in the past year, with critical infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, left in ruins.

Sharif commended the Palestinian people for their perseverance, stating that their sacrifices would ultimately lead to the realization of an independent Palestine. “Their bravery will pave the way for the creation of the State of Palestine,” he added.

Pakistan’s Enduring Support for Palestine

President Mahmoud Abbas expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s consistent backing of the Palestinian cause, highlighting that Pakistan had stood by Palestine since before 1948, providing both diplomatic and humanitarian aid.

“Pakistan’s steadfast support for Palestine is evident not only in its assistance to our students but also in its stance at global forums,” Abbas said.

Call for UN Sanctions Against Israel

In a speech delivered during the UN Security Council’s High-Level Open Debate on ‘Leadership for Peace’ on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sharif called for the imposition of sanctions on Israel, including arms and trade embargos, in response to its actions against Palestinians.

“We must compel Israel to end its genocidal campaign in Gaza and prevent further escalation in the Middle East,” Sharif declared. He also condemned Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, urging accountability for civilian casualties in both Gaza and Lebanon.

Sharif called on the Security Council to urgently devise an impartial plan for a ceasefire and pursue a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Gaza conflict. He also touched on broader global concerns, including the war in Ukraine, rising tensions among major powers, and growing poverty, all of which, he warned, were threats to global peace.

Addressing Broader Global Challenges

The Prime Minister also used his platform to raise the issue of Kashmir, urging the Security Council to implement resolutions that call for a plebiscite on self-determination in Jammu and Kashmir. “The council can no longer ignore the simmering conflict in Kashmir, which poses a serious threat to global peace and security,” he said, highlighting human rights violations in the region.

In addition, Sharif called for international action to address the resurgence of terrorism, particularly from Afghanistan, and to support African nations in combating terrorism and external interventions.

During his busy day at the United Nations headquarters, Sharif also held meetings with financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He expressed gratitude for the recent approval of Pakistan’s IMF program, emphasizing the importance of unity to ensure its success. Sharif shared that the IMF delegation had appreciated his government’s efforts and expressed optimism for continued collaboration with the World Bank to improve Pakistan’s economic conditions.

Regarding the conflict in Gaza, Sharif described the ongoing violence as “one of the worst massacres in history” and called for immediate international intervention to secure a ceasefire.

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