PM Address at UN General Assembly

(Shamsa Sajjad, Lahore)

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif address the 70th Session of the United Nation General Assembly in New York on September 30th , 2015.

While addressing the UN General Assembly Prime Minister outlined a new four - point peace plan initiative with India , which comprises demilitarizing of Kashmir and resolving the decades - old Kashmir dispute and an unconditional withdrawal of troops from Siachen.

He said in a wide ranging address to the UN General Assembly that our people need peace to prosper and peace can be achieved through dialogue , not disengagement.
According to Mr. Sharif the steps suggested to new peace initiative were the simplest to implement:

First of all , Pakistan India formalize and respect the 2003 understanding for a complete ceasefire , on the Line of Control in Kashmir.

For this very purpose , he asked for the extension of the UN Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan to contemplate the vigilance of the ceasefire.
Secondly , he emphasized that Pakistan and India reaffirm and resolve the causes of tension and not to resort the threat of use of force under any circumstances and take all possible measures to prevent further escalation.

This was , according to him , a central element of UN Charter.

Thirdly , his greater emphasis was on the Kashmir disputes , regarding this he added, steps must be taken to demilitarize Kashmir ...

Fourthly , accept an unconditional mutual withdrawal from Siachen Glacier , the world's highest battleground.

Such efforts would ease of threat perceptions and make it possible for Pakistan and India to address the jeopardy constituted by hostile and advanced weapons system , said prime minister.

Pledges to Fight Terrorism in all its Forms

Prime minister, Nawaz Sharif declared that Pakistan in not immersed in an arms race in South Asia and that as a responsible nuclear weapon state , Pakistan will keep assisting the purposes of nuclear disarmament and non - proliferation.

"South Asia demands strategic stability and this depends on serious dialogue to achieve nuclear restraint , orthodox balance and conflict settlement ," he added.
In his speech , the underlying message was peace , and no more escalation of tension , as both Indian Pakistani media has expected . The address focused on the Kashir dispute , but it was not a single - issue speech.

PM started with a UN's past reference , its purposes and some of its goals. He then budged to the climatic changes , peacekeeping and similar issues. He then spoke about how the Muslims are suffering across the world including Palestinians and Kashmiris who were oppressed by foreign occupation ; persecuted minorities; and the discrimination against Muslims refugees fleeting persecution or war . He further said ," The international community must redress these injustices against the Muslim people."

Mr Sharif pointed out that since 1947, the Kashmir dispute has remained unsettled and relevant UN Security Council resolutions too have remained unimplemented.
"Three generations of Kashmiris have only seen broken promises and callous repression . Over 100,000 have died in their grapple for self - determination ,"the prime minister noted. "This is the most incessant failure of the United Nations."

PM , Mr Sharif said , when he took over the office in June 2013 , for the third time , one of his top priorities was to normalize relations with India. He emphasized that poverty and underdevelopment was our common enemy. Cooperation , not confrontation should define our relationship , he said.

But India ignored his gestures and today ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary were intensifying, which cause civilian deaths including women and children - Mr Sharif said.

The prime minister also blamed India for fomenting troubles in Pakistan and that our closest neighbour abstain from peace and instability in Pakistan . The two countries should resolve the causes of tension and take all possible measures to avoid further escalation , he said.

Speaking of another issue , which has further strained Pakistan's relations with India , the prime minister said , Pakistan supported a comprehensive reform of the united Nations , including that of the Security Council , but was against creating more permanent UNSC members.

"We need a Security Council that is more democratic , representative , accountable and translucent ," he said, disagreeing with India , which wants to become a permanent member of the UNSC with veto powers.
Terrorism :
The world body was reminded by the prime minister that Pakistan was the primary victim of terrorism and had lost thousands of civilians and soldiers to terrorists violence.
He declared , we'll fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations , irrespective of who their sponsors are - The Zarb -i - Azb was the largest anti - terrorism campaign against terrorists anywhere or in any corner, involving over 180,000 troops.

In the Middle East , he said , several countries were today the spiral of conflict and instability while others were being sucked into this quagmire.

TIES WITH AFGHANISTAN:
Prime minister Nawaz Sharif said in response to the request from the Afghan government and the support of the international community , Pakistan made vigorous efforts to help along the process of Afghan reconciliation - but unfortunately certain developments hold off the process .Therefore , militant attacks intensified which we unequivocally condemns , he said
Mr Sharif said Pakistan will carry on endeavors to help resume the dialogue process and foster peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The prime minister also welcomed China's proactive role in boosting peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and in the larger region.

PM hopeful India will consider his peace plan:
India rebuffs Nawaz peace plan . PM Nawaz Sharif said , sooner or later India would consider his four - point peace proposal ..PM is hopeful that proxy war against Pakistan across the border would come to an end .The sooner the dialogue process started the better it would be for the two countries.
 

Shamsa Sajjad
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