Peshawar:Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has drawn praise from political analysts, diplomats and academics for highlighting Pakistan’s positions on key regional and global issues besides provide solutions to all regional and international conflicts.
The address, delivered on Friday night and broadcast live by all major national and international media outlets, focused on Palestine, Kashmir, terrorism, water security, maritime routes and escalating tensions in the Middle East, while stressing dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward.
Dr Shahjehan Syed, former chairman of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Peshawar, described the PM Shahbaz Sharif speech as an effective approach in diplomatic communication, saying it offered practical approaches to regional and global challenges.
He said its broadcast live by international media signifies Pakistan’s growing importance in the world.
Former chairman of the Journalism Department at Gomal University Dr Wasim Akbar Sheikh said the prime minister had effectively highlighted humanitarian, security and geopolitical issues, particularly the conflicts in Kashmir and Palestine.
He said the solution of these long-standing disputes is vital for global peace and stability.
Dr Khurshid Khan of the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar described the address as courageous, saying the prime minister had clearly presented Pakistan’s concerns over human rights violations in Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the policies of the fascist Modi government.
The prime minister also highlighted security threats posed by terrorist groups operating from across Pakistan’s western border, particularly from Afghanistan, and called for greater international cooperation to combat terrorism.
Former ambassador Manzoorul Haq said the address comprehensively presented Pakistan’s position on major international and regional issues. He particularly welcomed the emphasis on Palestine, Kashmir and the Middle East, saying lasting solutions could not be achieved through war and that renewed diplomatic efforts were needed to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
He also welcomed the prime minister’s call for keeping vital maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, open for international trade and economic activity.
Manzoorul Haq, who served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, also appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement involving Washington and Tehran, saying the Islamabad Talks and subsequent Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding were steps towards reducing tensions and promoting a peaceful resolution.
Professor Dr Ejaz Khan, former chairman of the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, said the prime minister had effectively raised issues of particular concern to Pakistan, including the grim situation in IIOJ and K, security threats emanating from Afghanistan and the Indus Waters Treaty illegal abeyance by India.
He stressed the importance of water security for regional stability, saying any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of river waters could have serious consequences for peace in the region.
Dr Ejaz said India’s decision to hold the existing water treaty in abeyance had no legal basis and referred to proceedings before the Court of Arbitration in support of Pakistan’s position.
Member of the Provincial Assembly Tariq Awan welcomed the prime minister’s focus on combating terrorism, saying Pakistan had made significant human and economic sacrifices in combating militancy.
He claimed that Pakistan had lost nearly 100,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion during its fight against terrorism.
Tariq Awan claimed that Afghan territory continued to be used by the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referred to by Pakistan as Fitna al-Khawarij, and the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), referred to by Pakistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, for attacks inside Pakistan.
He said the prime minister had urged Afghan authorities to fulfil their international commitments and take verifiable steps to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan or other countries. He also welcomed the call for protection of the fundamental rights of Afghans, particularly women and girls.
Former minister Wajid Ali Khan, international relations expert Professor Dr Adnan Khan, retired teachers Fayaz Khan and Riaz Khan, and Professor Zahid Anwar of the Department of Political Science also welcomed the address, saying it had highlighted Pakistan’s concerns regarding peace, security, human rights and regional stability.
They said the prime minister’s emphasis on diplomacy and peaceful dispute resolution could contribute to greater multilateral cooperation and help reduce tensions surrounding major regional conflicts.
The participants expressed hope that the diplomatic initiatives highlighted in the address would translate into greater international cooperation and concrete efforts towards peace and stability.