Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a combative speech at the United Nations General Assembly, threatened a strong response to a supposed “limited war” by India. On Friday, Sharif falsely claimed that India’s military strategy includes surprise attacks under a nuclear overhang to seize Kashmir.
Sharif alleged that India’s war doctrines aim to capture the Kashmir region, presenting this as a looming threat despite a lack of any such statement from India. “Let me state in no uncertain terms that Pakistan will respond most decisively to any Indian aggression,” he warned in a bid to draw attention to Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.
Kashmir Dispute and Diplomatic Tensions
Sharif accused India of ignoring Pakistan’s efforts toward establishing a “mutual, strategic, restrained regime” and instead threatening to cross the Line of Control (LoC). He demanded that India reverse the changes made in August 2019 when it revoked Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and fully integrated the region.
“To secure lasting peace, India must undo the unilateral and illegal measures it has taken since 5th August 2019 and engage in dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in line with UN resolutions,” Sharif asserted. However, Security Council Resolution 47 requires Pakistan to withdraw its troops from Jammu and Kashmir and cease funding terrorism, a point Pakistan regularly overlooks.
Global Isolation on Kashmir Issue
Despite Sharif’s efforts, none of the world leaders who spoke at the UN mentioned Kashmir. Even Turkey, which referenced the issue in previous years, remained silent this time. To gain attention, Sharif compared the Kashmir conflict to Palestine, claiming both populations have fought for their freedom for over a century.
Sharif also accused India of promoting Islamophobia through a “Hindu supremacist agenda,” which he claimed sought to subjugate 200 million Indian Muslims and erase India’s Islamic heritage. He said Pakistan and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) would collaborate with the UN Secretary-General to combat Islamophobia.
While accusing India of violating human rights in Kashmir, Sharif downplayed Pakistan’s own role in sponsoring terrorism. Despite this, he cast Pakistan as a victim of terrorism, citing the presence of groups like ISIL-K, al-Qaeda, and TTP. Sharif concluded by condemning the presence of what he claimed were 90,000 Indian troops in Kashmir, accusing India of attempting to alter the region’s demographics.
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