PM Shehbaz leaves for UK ahead of US visit
Prime Minister to attend UN General Assembly in New York
PM Shehbaz will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st UN General Assembly session in New York.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said the prime minister will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, other federal ministers and senior officials.
The United Nations has scheduled the General Debate of the 81st session from September 22 to 26, with another sitting on September 28. The high-level week is being held at the UN headquarters in New York, bringing together heads of state, heads of government and other senior representatives.
Pakistan’s position to be presented at UNGA
According to the Foreign Office, PM Shehbaz is expected to present Pakistan’s perspective on regional and global developments during his UNGA address. He is also expected to emphasise dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Other issues expected to feature in Pakistan’s position include sustainable development, climate change, counter-terrorism, Islamophobia and global economic challenges. UN reforms and issues affecting developing countries are also expected to be highlighted.
Regional and international issues on agenda
The prime minister’s visit comes at a time when several regional and international issues are receiving attention at the United Nations. According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan also plans to draw attention to the situations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.
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The UN General Assembly’s 81st session is being held under the theme ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all’.
The General Debate provides an opportunity for world leaders to outline their countries’ positions and priorities on major international issues.
London visit comes before US trip
The London stopover will take place before the prime minister travels to the United States. During his stay in Britain, Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold meetings and participate in other engagements.
The details of those meetings have not been fully announced. After completing his UK engagements, the prime minister will travel to New York to represent Pakistan at the UN General Assembly.
UN visit draws international attention
The annual UN General Assembly brings together leaders from countries around the world to discuss major global challenges. The 81st session’s high-level week runs from September 22 to 28, according to the UN’s official schedule.
The General Debate is one of the main events of the session, with national leaders using the forum to present their countries’ views on international affairs. For Pakistan, the session provides a platform to raise regional issues and explain Islamabad’s position on international developments.
PM to lead Pakistan delegation
The Foreign Office has confirmed that Shehbaz Sharif will lead Pakistan’s delegation during the high-level segment of the UNGA session. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers and senior government officials will accompany him.
The delegation is expected to take part in various meetings and diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the UN session. Such meetings typically provide opportunities for participating countries to discuss bilateral relations and regional and global matters.
Focus on diplomacy and peaceful solutions
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan will use the UN platform to stress the importance of diplomacy and peaceful solutions to disputes. The government is also expected to discuss development-related issues and challenges faced by countries in the Global South.
Climate change, economic challenges and counter-terrorism are among the areas identified by the Foreign Office as part of Pakistan’s priorities for the UNGA visit. The prime minister’s participation will come as world leaders gather in New York for the annual high-level debate.
