"We must compel Israel to halt its genocidal war in Gaza," says PM Shehbaz during UN speech

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned Israel's bombings in Lebanon and urged the United Nations Security Council to take action against Tel Aviv's "genocidal war" in Gaza.

Speaking at the high-level open debate of the Security Council on "Leadership for Peace" during the 79th UN General Assembly Session, PM Shehbaz said that Israel must be held accountable for its crimes.

"We must compel Israel to halt its genocidal war in Gaza and prevent its attempts to provoke a wider conflict in the Middle East," the premier stated, calling for sanctions against Netanyahu's country, including arms and trade embargo.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the need to address the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, alerting the Council that the issue could no longer be ignored.

“It poses a great threat to international peace and security. The council must call for a halt to the massive violations of the fundamental rights of Kashmiri people and implement its own resolutions that demand a plebiscite for self-determination in Kashmir valley."

We must compel Israel to stop its genocidal war in Gaza. The Beirut bombing is deeply condemnable. It's time for sanctions, including arms and trade embargoes, and to hold Israel's leadership accountable for crimes against Palestinians, says Shehbaz Sharif during the Leadership… pic.twitter.com/Cw9sAqrtPF

— The Thursday Times (@thursday_times) September 25, 2024

Mr PM also addressed the resurgence of terrorism from neighbouring country Afghanistan, particularly from Daesh and Fitna al-Khawaraij, and called for more robust UN peacekeeping efforts. 

He also stressed the need to prevent war between major powers, ease rising tensions, especially in Asia, and reverse the nuclear and conventional arms race.

"The future will be bleak and dangerous if we don't give life to our commitments," PM Sharif warned, referencing the pact for the future approved by the UN last Sunday.

“It must also build control over new weapons and technologies including Artificial Intelligence that is making war more likely and more lethal.”

Notably, Pakistan is set to assume a seat on the Security Council next year and has pledged to pursue these objectives in cooperation with other member states.