PM Shehbaz arrives in New York to present Pakistan's position on regional, global security at UNGA

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in the United States on Monday to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, his office said. The premier was received at the airport by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. PM Shehbaz is slated to address the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 25, where the Gulf conflict is expected to overshadow much of the high-level debate. The official theme of the 81st session is ‘Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All’, and the UNGA debate is expected to run from Sept 22 to 26, with a final sitting on Sept 28.

However, ongoing fighting between Washington and Tehran is expected to feature prominently in discussions among world leaders, particularly over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, regional stability and the possibility of finding a diplomatic way out of the confrontation. “In his address, the prime minister will present Pakistan’s position on the changing situation regarding regional and global security, emphasising the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful resolution of conflicts,” the statement by the Prime Minister’s Office said. It added that the premier would highlight Pakistan’s “active diplomatic and mediation efforts for eliminating tensions in the region and promoting peace and stability, while also presenting Pakistan’s priorities on key global issues, including sustainable development, climate change, the fight against terrorism, Islamophobia, and global economic challenges”. The prime minister would also draw the attention of the international community to the long-standing issues of “occupation and denial” of the right to self-determination in India-occupied…