Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has once again raised the Kashmir issue on an international platform, attempting to draw global attention to the long-standing dispute. During his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, Sharif emphasized that a just and impartial resolution of the Kashmir issue is essential to ensure that South Asia doesn't reach a point of confrontation similar to the situation in 2025. In a speech lasting 23 minutes, the Pakistani Prime Minister spewed venom against India, focusing heavily on the Kashmir dispute and the Indus Water Treaty. His address was marked by a series of propaganda claims and veiled threats directed at New Delhi, reflecting Pakistan's persistent strategy of internationalizing bilateral issues.
The Kashmir Rhetoric at UNGA
Shehbaz Sharif utilized the UNGA platform to reiterate Pakistan's traditional stance on Kashmir. He demanded a just and impartial resolution to the conflict, asserting that the people of Kashmir are still waiting for the fulfillment of the United Nations' promise to conduct a free and fair plebiscite under its supervision. Sharif alleged that multiple generations of Kashmiris have endured illegal occupation, arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and collective punishment. He stated that for eight decades, the Kashmiri people have been waiting for the international community to honor its commitment. According to Sharif, the resolution of this dispute is the only way to ensure lasting peace in the South Asian region, and he called upon the global body to take notice of the situation.
Allegations of Demographic Changes
The Pakistani Prime Minister further claimed that there have been systematic attempts to alter the legal status of Jammu and Kashmir through demographic changes and other administrative measures. He described a somber picture of the region, claiming that helpless Kashmiri parents yearn for their sons and daughters who never return. He stated that homes in the region are silenced under the shadow of curfews and deep sorrow. Sharif went on to say that for many, there is no resolution, and their entire lives are spent searching for unmarked graves. From the UNGA podium, he assured the Kashmiri people of Pakistan's continued diplomatic, political, and moral support until they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination. He concluded this segment by declaring that Kashmir has always been and will always remain the jugular vein of Pakistan.
Threats Over the Indus Water Treaty
Moving beyond the territorial dispute, Shehbaz Sharif also targeted India over the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). He claimed that another pillar of stability in South Asia is currently under pressure. He described the shared waters of the Indus river system as a lifeline not only for the people of Pakistan but for the entire region. Sharif criticized what he termed as India's unilateral decision to suspend or alter the existing treaty, calling it completely illegal. He asserted that India's claims and actions have been rejected by UN experts and recently by the Court of Arbitration. He maintained that the treaty remains valid, binding, and fully applicable. In a direct threat, Sharif stated that any attempt to stop, obstruct, or divert the water belonging to Pakistan's share would be considered an act of war. He warned that India should have no misunderstandings regarding this position, emphasizing that water should be used to connect nations rather than divide them.