New York (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed Pakistan’s anguish over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Palestine, saying Israel was committing a “systematic slaughter” in Gaza.
“Our heart bleeds as we witness the tragedy unfolding in the holy land. A tragedy that shakes the very consciousness of humanity and the foundation of this institution,” the Pakistan prime minister said as he addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.
“Can we as human beings remain silent while children lie buried under the rubble of their shattered homes?” PM Shehbaz asked.
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The premier urged the global community not to turn a blind eye to the mothers cradling the lifeless bodies of their children.
“This is not just a conflict. This is a systematic slaughter of innocent people of Palestine,” the prime minister emphasised.
He made these remarks while addressing the United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
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The Prime Minister termed Israel’s aggression in Gaza, which has led to the killing of more than 40,000 Palestinians, “an assault on the very essence of human life and dignity.”
“The blood of Gaza children stains not just the hands of the oppressors but also those who are complicit in prolonging this cruel conflict,” he said.
The premier said condemnation was not enough as he demanded an immediate ceasefire to end the bloodshed.
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He urged the United Nations to work out a durable peace for Palestinians through a two-state solution.
“The failure to implement UN resolutions has emboldened Israel and threatens to drag the entire Middle East into a war whose consequences could be very grave and beyond imagination,” he added.
India resiled from its commitment
Addressing the 79th UNGA session, the premier highlighted how India had resiled from its commitments to implement the Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.
“These resolutions mandate a plebiscite to enable the people of Kashmir to exercise their fundamental right to self-determination,” he said. “Since August 5, 2019, India has initiated unilateral illegal steps to impose what its leaders ominously call a final solution for Jammu and Kashmir.”
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Shehbaz said for the last five years, 900,000 Indian troops have made life hell for the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir with prolonged curfews, extrajudicial killings, and the abductions of young Kashmiris.
“At the same time, in a classic settler-colonial project, India is seizing Kashmiri land and properties and settling outsiders into occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their nefarious design to transform the Muslim majority into a minority.”
He said such tactics are used by all occupying powers, but it has always failed. “They shall fail in Kashmir too by the grace of God,” he added.
Urges Afghan govt to neutralise terrorist groups
Commenting on Afghanistan, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan wanted the earliest possible normalization of the situation in Afghanistan. He urged the Afghan interim government to take effective action to neutralize all terrorist groups within Afghanistan especially those responsible for cross-border terrorism against neighbouring countries.
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Ukraine Crisis
Speaking about the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the premier called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict as per the UN Charter and international agreements.
“Pakistan stands by the United Nations Charter and will make its full contribution to peace and prosperity of the world,” he added.
Islamophobia
Shehbaz expressed concerns over Islamophobic incidents and said its “most alarming manifestation was the Hindu supremacist agenda in India,” which he said, aggressively seeks the subjugation of 200 million Muslims and the obliteration of India’s Islamic heritage.
“Pakistan and the OIC will work with the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy to implement a plan of action to combat this scourge,” he added.
*With input from Radio Pakistan.*
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