Amb. A M Shahid (Former Diplomat):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is in the New York to attend 81st session of the United Nations’ General Assembly (UNGA). This year theme of 81st session of UNGA ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: a United Nations that delivers for all" is very significant; however, it has yet to be seen whether UN will be able to deliver global and regional security and stability. In the wake of prevailing global challenges, sideline meetings between world leaders are very crucial. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held meeting with Crown Prince of Kuwait and other world leaders. Prime Minister’s address to the UNGA is very important. In his address to the UNGA, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will touch upon the pinching global challenges along with the unresolved issues of Jammu and Kashmir, Palestine and others. We hope that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will send a message to the world that Pakistan wants peace in the world. At present, world’s major powers are sending mixed signals about seriousness towards resolving the conflicts and disputes which are gripping the whole world. Even President Donald Trump in his speech at UNGA also blew hot and cold at the same time on the issue of Mideast conflict and Ukraine war. French President Macron highlighted Israeli atrocities on Palestinians and lambasted countries for not treating Palestine issue appropriately. So it is difficult to say that world may revert to normal world order without resolving the outstanding issues of Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

Mateen Haider (Senior Analyst): On the sideline of UNGA session, today Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is going to hold separate meetings with Syrian President and Managing Director IMF. These meetings are very important because Pakistan is in IMF program.  Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb may also join this meeting to discuss Pakistan’s economic reforms and other relevant issues. Sideline meetings provide world leaders with opportunity to hold open frequent discussion on relevant issues. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump in his address mentioned only one leader and presented splendor complement to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In the sideline meetings, Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif and his team leaders are presenting Pakistan’s narrative on peace, stability, foreign direct investment, war on terror and other issues before the world leaders. At present Pakistan is an attractive country on the global canvas and leadership of every country wants to hold meetings with Pakistani leadership. Certainly, Pakistan conveys to the world that new surge of terrorism inside Pakistan is Indian sponsored and originates from Afghanistan. Pakistan has also played key role in yesterday’s meeting between the US and Iranian representatives. In his address to UNGA, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will present Pakistan’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir, Palestine, Middle East tensions and other issues. Yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also attended an event hosted by US President Donald Trump in the honour of world leaders attending UNGA session.