In a address at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, once again raised the Kashmir issue, drawing parallels between Jammu & Kashmir and Palestine. He accused India of expanding its military capabilities to target Pakistan and called on New Delhi to reverse its 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
Allegations Against India
Sharif described India’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir as a "settler colonial project", accusing it of extra-judicial killings, prolonged curfews, and draconian measures to suppress the region’s Muslim-majority population. He likened Kashmir's situation to that of Palestine, emphasizing the long-standing struggle of Kashmiris for self-determination under the mandates of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Furthermore, he claimed that India’s efforts to change the region's demographic makeup are aimed at turning the Muslim majority into a minority.
Sharif also criticized India for its military expansions, stating that it threatens to cross the Line of Control (LoC) and take over Azad Kashmir. He warned, “Pakistan will respond most decisively to any Indian aggression”, making it clear that Islamabad views these actions as a direct threat to regional peace.
Call for Dialogue & Reversal of Article 370
During his speech, Sharif demanded that India reverse its "unilateral and illegal" decision to abrogate Article 370, arguing that this is crucial for securing peace in the region. He also reiterated Pakistan's long-standing position of supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as outlined in U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Allegations of Islamophobia & Supremacy
Sharif also highlighted what he called the "Hindu supremacist agenda" in India, accusing the government of seeking to subjugate its Muslim population and obliterate the Islamic heritage of India. He argued that these actions are the most alarming manifestations of Islamophobia globally, calling for international attention to the issue.
Global Conflicts & the Call for Peace
In addition to focusing on Kashmir, Sharif addressed other pressing global issues. He condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing it as "genocidal war," and called for immediate international intervention to stop the bloodshed. He also discussed the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Afghanistan, urging for peaceful resolutions in line with international agreements and the U.N. Charter.
Regarding Afghanistan, Sharif emphasized the need for the Taliban to take effective action to neutralize terrorist groups like ISIL-K and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which he claimed are operating from Afghan territory.
India's Expected Response
India, which routinely exercises its right of reply to Pakistan’s accusations at the U.N., is expected to counter Sharif’s claims. New Delhi has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and has repeatedly highlighted Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism. India is likely to reiterate its stance that peace can only be achieved when Pakistan takes concrete steps to stop supporting terrorist organizations.
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Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, used his U.N. speech to once again raise the Kashmir issue, drawing sharp comparisons between the struggles of Kashmiris and Palestinians. His call for the reversal of Article 370 and accusations of India's aggressive military posture are expected to provoke a strong rebuttal from New Delhi. As tensions between the two countries remain high, the international community continues to watch for potential diplomatic or military escalations.
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