**NEW YORK:** Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to impose sanctions on Israel, including arms and trade embargoes, in response to what he described as its genocidal actions against Palestinians.
Speaking during the high-level open debate on “Leadership for Peace” at the 79th United Nations General Assembly Session, PM Shehbaz urged the global body to pressure Israel to cease its violent operations in Gaza and prevent the escalation of conflict in the broader Middle East.
“We must compel Israel to stop its genocidal war in Gaza and thwart its efforts to ignite a larger regional conflict,” he said.
The prime minister strongly condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon, emphasizing the need to hold Israeli leaders accountable for their actions against both Palestinians and Lebanese citizens.
In addition to addressing the situation in the Middle East, PM Shehbaz called on the Security Council to create an impartial plan for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
He highlighted how ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, and other regions, combined with rising tensions between global powers and increasing poverty, are undermining the stability of the world order.
“Last Sunday, we approved the Pact for the Future. We must uphold these commitments, or the future will be bleak and dangerous,” he warned.
Turning to the Kashmir issue, the prime minister asserted that the Security Council could no longer afford to overlook the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which he said poses a serious threat to global peace and security. He urged the council to call for an end to the widespread human rights violations in Kashmir and to implement its resolutions that demand a plebiscite for self-determination in the region.
Additionally, PM Shehbaz called for action to counter the resurgence of terrorism from Afghanistan, particularly from Daesh and extremist groups like “Fitna al-Khawarij.”
He also appealed for greater support for African nations and the African Union in combating terrorism and foreign interventions, stressing the need for more robust and effective UN peacekeeping operations.
The prime minister further emphasized the importance of building measures to prevent conflict between major global powers and reduce rising tensions, particularly in Asia.
He called on the Security Council to adopt a zero-tolerance stance on the illegal use of force and to renew global efforts to halt and reverse the ongoing arms race in nuclear and conventional weaponry.
“It is also crucial for the council to regulate the use of new weapons and technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, which is making warfare more likely and deadlier,” he added.
PM Shehbaz concluded by stating that, with the support of other member states, Pakistan would pursue these goals when it assumes its seat on the Security Council next year.
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