Admiral (R) Hasham Bin Saddique (Former Diplomat: UNGA session is a very important platform where every country and leader highlights his vision on global and regional issues and challenges. So I think that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a speech which reflected the aspirations of people of Pakistan. In his address prime minister highlighted global issues including Indian sponsored and Afghanistan abetted terrorism in Pakistan, Iran-US and Russia-Ukraine tensions along with other outstanding unresolved issues on UN agenda. Prime minister also mentioned Makkah Agreement, Kashmir and Palestine issues in an effective manner. He also highlighted Israeli injustices and atrocities on Palestinians in an effective analytical way. He also convinced the world to opt for negotiations to resolve disputes. It is a very horrible situation that over seven hundred thousand Indian military personnel have been committing barbaric atrocities and injustices on innocent and unarmed Kashmiris for last over seven decades. Now Kashmir has become a human catastrophe so UN and rest of the world must press India to grant right of self-determination to Kashmiris. Otherwise, global order is at the stake because India has suspended Indus Waters Treaty. Prime Minister has sensitized world leaders Indian water aggression. Therefore, US President Donald Trump has supported Pakistan’s narrative and asked India to avoid creating chaotic situation in South Asia. 

Mateen Haider (Senior Analyst): In his address to United Nations’ General Assembly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took this opportunity to highlight Pakistan’s core issues. He highlighted Pakistan’s principled position on Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with hostile India. He also highlighted Pakistan’s peace efforts in global disputes. He highlighted Pakistan’s role on global challenges like climate change and security which are emanating from Afghanistan. He also talked about Yemeni Houthis’ attacks on Saudi Arabia and in this regard he called for efforts to de-escalate the escalations in the West Asia and in the Gulf. Overall Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s speech was reflective of Pakistan’s narrative and Pakistan’s position on global and regional issues. Prime Minister effectively highlighted number of issues currently confronted by Pakistan. Basically, UNGA is a forum where world leaders present their viewpoint on global and regional issues. Prime Minister’s speech was comprehensive and reflective of aspirations of the people of Pakistan. Soon after speech of Prime Minister, Indian delegate took the forum to comment on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s speech; however, today Pakistani diplomat Saima Saleem took the forum and gave a strong response to Indian delegate and exposed horrific face of Indian terrorism. Pakistani diplomat informed the world that India is aggressor, usurper of Kashmiris’ and minorities rights. India has also stopped Pakistani water from flowing towards Pakistan. Even a brave Pakistani journalist Jahanzeb Ali encountered Indian External Affairs Minister Jai Shankar at press conference and questioned why India was supporting terrorism in Pakistan via Afghanistan. But Jai Shankar responded negatively tantamount to diplomatic condemnation for India and Indian diplomats. In the meetings of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with leaders of other countries, every leader was appreciative to Pakistan’s peace efforts and mediation. Therefore, we hope that Pakistan will again bring Iran and US on negotiation table and then to a peace accord again.

Dr. Muhammad Khan (IR Expert):In his speech at UNGA, Prime Minister covered all regional and international issues especially related to Pakistan. Prime Minister presented Pakistan’s viewpoint on lacking peace and stability in the world, especially, in Middle East. He clearly said that Pakistan is key ally to Saudi Arabia so he challenged all supporters of Yemeni Houthis. He talked about global peace and asked Iran and US to de-escalate in Middle East. He also categorically warned India that water can’t be used as a weapon otherwise, for the sake of national security and survival, Pakistan reserves number of options to respond to India. He also talked about Kashmir dispute and reminded UN about its resolutions on Kashmir issue otherwise world can’t afford full-fledged war between two nuclear powers. He also sensitized the world that water is our red line and Pakistan can’t compromise on its red line at any cost. He also warned all those powers which are promoting terrorism in Pakistan from Afghanistan. In this regard, he issued a strong warning to Indian, Israeli and other countries’ hostile intelligence agencies which are using terrorist outfits in Afghanistan against Pakistan. UN must also fulfill obligations on checking Afghan Taliban regime’s activities against Pakistan. He also highlighted Israeli injustices on Palestinians and pressed on the world to stop Israel from aggressive actions and resolve Palestine issue.