Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday stressed on the need to reopen the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, declaring “arteries of the global economy” must remain open.
In his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, he emphasized the need for diplomacy amidst renewed hostilities in the Middle East. “The Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb are arteries of the global economy. They must remain open—connecting nations, not becoming choke points of confrontation,” he said, referring to Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the Yemeni Houthis’ blockade of Bab al-Mandeb.
“These waters must carry the promise of prosperity, not the perils of war,” he said, while condemning in the strongest terms Houthis’ drone strikes targeting Saudi Arabia. He said the attempted drone attack on Makkah had “outraged Muslims across the globe,” stressing any threat to the safety and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain was a “red line that must never be crossed.”
Maintaining that “Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia, as we always have throughout our history,” he noted the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan reflected the countries’ commitment to peace.
“This alliance is not directed against any country. It is a collective commitment for defense, stability, and peace in the region, and nothing more,” he said.
Indus Waters Treaty
Referring to the Indus Waters Treaty, the prime minister said water is the “lifeblood” not only of Pakistan, but the entire region. Warning that any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of river waters would be treated as an “act of war,” he noted that India’s unilateral decision to hold the treaty in abeyance had “no legal basis whatsoever.” He recalled the International Court of Arbitration had recently rejected India’s claims and actions and vindicated Pakistan’s position of the treaty being “valid, binding and fully operative.”
Referring to ties with India, Sharif recalled that Pakistan had exercised its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter in May 2025 after Delhi targeted several locations in the country. Crediting the leadership of Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, he also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his intervention in preventing a wider conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors and saving “hundreds of millions of lives.”
The prime minister stressed that South Asia must never again reach the brink of all-out war, adding that this required a “just and fair” resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He noted Kashmiris had waited for eight decades for the U.N. to fulfil its commitment to a free and impartial plebiscite, lamenting that generations had endured illegal occupation, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence and collective punishment.
He said attempts to alter the legal status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir through demographic changes and other measures were underway and assured Kashmiris Pakistan would continue providing diplomatic, political and moral support until they achieved their “inalienable right” to self-determination. “Kashmir has been, and always will be, Pakistan’s jugular vein,” he added.
Afghanistan
Describing terrorism as one of the gravest threats to international peace and security, Sharif said that Pakistan has paid a heavy price in the fight against the menace. He recalled the country had lost nearly 100,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding $150 billion while fighting terrorists in its cities, mountains and along its borders.
The prime minister said Afghan territory continued to be used by the banned TTP and the BLA to carry out attacks against Pakistan. He urged Afghan authorities to fulfil their international commitments and take verifiable action to prevent their territory from being used against Pakistan or other countries.
He also called for the fundamental rights of Afghans, particularly women and girls, to be respected.
Condemning Israel
During his address, Sharif condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, saying Palestinians, particularly women, children and the elderly, have endured occupation, displacement, suffering and death for generations. He recalled the killing of Palestinian girl Hind Rajab and highlighted the death of eight-year-old Wafaa Akeela, whose first day of school became her last.
The prime minister questioned whether children born in Gaza did not deserve the same life, future and dreams as children elsewhere. He said the deaths of Hind Rajab, Wafaa Akeela and countless others would remain an indictment of the international community’s silence and inaction.
He said Pakistan supported an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. He also condemned Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Syria, calling for an immediate end to the violence.
Islamophobia
The prime minister also expressed concern over the rise in Islamophobia, citing hate speech, discrimination, attacks on mosques and desecration of the holy Quran. He blamed the RSS-driven Hindutva ideology in India for fueling religious hatred, communal violence and restrictions on religious freedom. He cited the demolition of a 150-year-old mosque in Saharanpur as an example. “Religious hatred must have no place in the world,” he stressed.
Sharif also highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on Pakistan, saying the country contributes less than 1% of global emissions but repeatedly suffers severe consequences. He urged developed countries to fulfil their climate finance commitments, provide funding for loss and damage, and support adaptation and resilience efforts.