PM Shehbaz to participate in meeting of 'select' Muslim leaders with Trump

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will lead the Pakistan delegation to the high-level segment of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from September 22 in New York, the Foreign Office said on Sunday.

It said that the prime minister will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, other ministers and senior officials.

"In his address to the General Assembly, the Prime Minister 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 & Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine," the Foreign Office said in a statement.

"He will, in particular, 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.

He will 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 statement said that the PM will attend several high-level events on the sidelines of the UNGA Session, including important meetings of the UN Security Council, High-Level Meeting of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and a Special High-Level Event on Climate Action, among others.

He will also participate in a "meeting of select Islamic leaders with U.S. President Trump to exchange views on issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security," it added.

The FO said that PM Shehbaz will have bilateral meetings on the sidelines with several world leaders and senior UN officials for 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. 

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"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," the statement said.