PM Shehbaz leaves London for New York to attend key meetings, 80th UNGA session

• DPM, FM Dar to accompany the prime minister.
• PM will lead Pakistan’s delegation to UNGA.
• He will draw global community’s attention to Gaza.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday departed for New York from London to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Premier Shehbaz — accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as other ministers and senior government officials — will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the UNGA, scheduled for today.

During his visit, the prime minister is scheduled to address the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. On the sidelines of the UNGA session, the prime minister is also expected to hold meetings with several world leaders.

In a statement issued earlier, the Foreign Office had mentioned that PM Shehbaz will participate in a meeting of “select” Muslim leaders with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UNGA session.

“The prime minister will also participate in a meeting of select Islamic leaders with US President Trump to exchange views on issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security,” the FO said.

At UNGA, PM Shehbaz will urge the international community to resolve the situations of prolonged occupation and denial of the right to self-determination from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine.

“He will draw the attention of the international community towards the grave crisis in Gaza, and call for decisive action to end the suffering of the Palestinians,” the FO statement read.

The statement said that PM would also highlight Pakistan’s perspective on the regional security situation, as well as other issues of international concern, including climate change, terrorism, Islamophobia, and sustainable development.

The premier will further attend several high-level events on the sidelines of the UNGA session, including important meetings of the UN Security Council, a high-level meeting of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and a Special High-Level Event on Climate Action, among others, it added.

During the visit, the prime minister will have bilateral meetings on the sidelines with several world leaders and senior UN officials for an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.

“He will also underline Pakistan’s resolve to work with all UN member states to uphold the UN charter, prevent conflict, foster peace and promote global prosperity in Pakistan’s current role as a member of the Security Council.

“The prime minister’s participation in this biggest annual gathering of global leaders will showcase Pakistan’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations and to highlight Pakistan’s longstanding contribution towards the shared objectives of peace and development,” it was further added.