The PM’s address

The address of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the 71st session of the UN General Assembly was the most comprehensive and candid exposition of the post-cold war global realities and dichotomies that need to be tackled via the UN.

The prime minister eloquently explained and emphasised Pakistan’s role in facilitating the process of reconciliation in Afghanistan, which he regretted had not been successful so far, and stressed the point that the setback does not justify resort to military means. In the context of promoting global peace, he renewed Pakistan’s commitment to continue supporting UN peace keeping missions wherever and whenever required.

The address also was a forceful advocacy of Pakistan’s role in combating international terrorism and the imperative of a collaborative effort at the global level to fight the menace as well as the threat posed to world peace by the emergence of Daesh. The PM enlightened the world about the sacrifices that Pakistan has made in the war on terror and the successful operation against terrorist outfits, pointing out that Pakistan has been the principal victim of terrorism including that supported, sponsored and financed from abroad. It is an irrefutable reality that terrorism in Pakistan has both internal and external dimensions. The RAW-DNS nexus in promoting acts of terrorism within Pakistan is a proven reality.

Prime Minister Nawaz reiterated Pakistan’s unswerving commitment to disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation saying: “As a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan will continue to cooperate with all international efforts that seek to promote fair and equitable solutions to disarmament and non-proliferation challenges.”

He also effectively expounded Pakistan’s credentials as a responsible nuclear state and its eligibility to become member of the prestigious nuclear suppliers club NSG. In this regard, he also took pains to explain the reasons that forced Pakistan to adopt the nuclear option and its policy of maintaining minimum nuclear deterrence to safeguard its security in the face of threats from India, at the same time expressing Pakistan’s innate desire to normalize relations with India and avoiding an arms race in South Asian region.

Reminding the UN of its role as a peacemaker and proponent of the right of self-determination of the people, which it reiterates through its resolutions every year, the prime minister made a convincing case for an urgent need to resolve the festering issues of Palestine and Kashmir which pose a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and South Asia. 

He was right on the money to claim that Pakistan has a vital stake in ending conflicts, fostering peace, fighting terrorism, strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, generating global growth and overcoming the challenges of environmental degradation. These objectives can be achieved only through the UN by strict adherence to the principles of its charter.

As far as Pakistan’s commitment to seeking peace is concerned, the prime minister pointed out that Pakistan wanted peace with India and had made strenuous efforts for reviving bilateral dialogue to address all outstanding issues, which unfortunately have been spurned by the latter.

Dialogue between Pakistan and India is essential for the peace, security and economic progress of both countries and the entire region. That is an inescapable reality. Therefore, the prime minister was absolutely right in saying that resumption of talks would not be a favour to Pakistan. The resolution of the Kashmir dispute is most necessary for peace and normalisation of relations between the two countries.

Indian intransigence to resolve the Kashmir issue has forced the people of Kashmir to launch an armed struggle against Indian occupation. The new Kashmiri generation is not willing to compromise on their right to self-determination. The prime minister also rightly asserted that the murder of Burhan Wani has emerged as the symbol of the latest Kashmiri ‘Intifada,’ a popular and peaceful freedom movement launched by young and old, men and women, armed only with an undying faith in the legitimacy of their cause and their hunger for freedom.

Enumerating the atrocities of the Indian forces (which are well documented) to quell the uprising triggered by the murder of Burhan Wani, the PM deservedly sought an independent inquiry into these extrajudicial killings, and a UN fact finding mission to investigate brutalities perpetrated by the Indian occupying forces, so that those guilty of could be punished. The uprising in Kashmir cannot be subdued through gross and systematic violations of human rights. That has instead strengthened the resolve and determination of the people of Kashmir to see an end to the Indian occupation, as is evident from the defiance of curfew by men, women and children right from Srinagar to Sopore, who come our on the streets every day to demand their freedom.

No person in his right mind could dispute the claim that the world community has been ignoring the Kashmir issue at its own peril. Pakistan and India are both nuclear powers and neighbours. Kashmir is an issue which neither the people of Kashmir nor Pakistan can afford to sweep under the carpet. For Pakistan it is an unfinished agenda of Partition and for the people of Kashmir it is about their legitimate and internationally recognised right of self-determination.

The UN, the world community and even the then Indian prime minister (Nehru) recognised this right and made firm commitments to have the issue resolved through reference to the people as enunciated in the UN resolutions. India later did try to wriggle out of the commitment through a resolution passed by the constituent assembly of Occupied Kashmir which announced accession of the state to India, on which India now claims Kashmir being integral part of India. But the UN, through resolutions 91 and 122, repudiated Indian claims saying that the question of accession could not be settled except through a plebiscite held under the auspices of the UN.

That adequately strengthens Pakistan’s position on the issue and also gives legitimacy to the freedom struggle by the Kashmiris. It also makes it obligatory on the UN Security council to have its resolutions implemented. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif justifiably pointed out that the UN needed to regain its credibility as the central instrument for the promotion of peace, prosperity and liberty.

The writer is a freelance contributor.

Email: ashpak10@gmail.com