Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, in an unusually fiery address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Friday, stated that after Pakistan delivered a “bloody nose” to India in the May conflict, it seeks peace in the region.
“We have won the war, and now we seek to win peace in our part of the world, and this is my most sincere and serious offer before this assembly of world nations,” the prime minister said.
Following the April 22 Pahalgam incident in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), India launched strikes in Pakistan; however, it was given a major blow as Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, including three Rafales.
The 88-hour-long conflict ended when the United States (US) intervened and announced a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours on May 10.
Recalling the May conflict, the premier said that the country confronted unprovoked aggression from its eastern front. “The enemy came shrouded in arrogance; we sent them back in humiliation, delivering a bloody nose,” he added.
“India sought to extract political gains from a human tragedy by spurning my sincere offer of an independent international investigation into the Pahalgam incident…When our territorial integrity and national security were violated, our response was in accordance with the right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.”
He said, “Our falcons took flight and etched their answer across the skies, resulting in seven of the Indian jets turning to scrap and dust — a decisive response. A response to the aggressor that will echo through the annals of history.”
Donald Trump, a man of peace
Nonetheless, in a position of strength, Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire facilitated by President Donald Trump’s bold and vigorous leadership, Sharif said, expressing deep appreciation to him and his team for their active role in bringing about the ceasefire.
“Who would have lived to tell what happened? And therefore, in recognition of Trump’s wonderful and outstanding contribution to promoting peace in our part of the world, Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. I think this is the least we can do for his love of peace — truly, he is a man of peace.”
Pakistan is ready for result-oriented dialogue with India
“Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive, and result-oriented dialogue with Indian on all outstanding issues,” the prime minister said.
Regarding India’s recent unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), the PM warned, “Pakistan has made it abundantly clear and led there be no doubt once again in anybody’s mind, as I said last year in this hall from this podium, we will definitely defend the inseparable right of our 240 million people on these waters. To us, any violation of this IWT represents an act of war.”
Palestine must be liberated with full commitment and force
Highlighting the Palestine issue, he said that the plight of the Palestinian people is one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies of our times.
“This prolonged injustice is a stain on the global conscience and our collective moral failure. For nearly 80 years, the Palestinians have courageously endured Israel’s brutal occupation of their homeland in the West Bank, with each passing day bringing new brutality, illegal settlers who terrorise and kill with impunity, and nobody can challenge them or question them.”
And in Gaza, he noted, Israel’s genocidal onslaught has unleashed unspeakable terror upon women and children in a manner not witnessed in the annals of history.
Pakistan firmly supports the demand of the Palestinian people for the establishment of a sovereign state with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Sharif as its capital, he said, adding, “Palestine can no longer remain under Israeli shackles; it must be liberated and liberated with full commitment and force.”
Expectation from the Afghan government to take effective action against terrorist groups
Describing Afghanistan as a direct concern to Pakistan, he said, “We believe that the key to development and prosperity lies in regional stability and connectivity. Pakistan continues to engage with all partners to extend humanitarian assistance, promote economic recovery, and encourage an inclusive political framework in Afghanistan.”
“Above all, we expect the Afghan government to take effective action against terrorist groups and ensure that Afghan soil is not used for terrorism against any country,” he maintained.