Any attempt to divert Pakistan's share of waters will be treated as an act of war: PM Shehbaz

WEB DESK -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said any threat to the safety and sanctity of the Harmain al-Sharifain is a red line that must never be crossed.

He was addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Prime Minister said the attempted drone attack on the holy city of Makkah has outraged Muslims across the globe. He condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent deplorable attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.

He also emphasised that the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab are arteries of the global economy and must remain open, connecting nations, and must not become choke points of confrontation.

Regarding the historic Makkah Joint Defence Agreement among Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif said it is not directed against any country, but is a collective commitment to defence, stability and peace in the region.

He also highlighted Pakistan's peace efforts, including facilitating the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding to bring stability to the region. He said through concerted efforts, Pakistan successfully brought Washington and Tehran under one roof in Islamabad.

Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for their relentless peace efforts in this regard.

Turning to South Asia, the Prime Minister said a year ago, Pakistan faced external aggression from India under a false pretext and exercised its inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

He said Pakistan's brave and valiant armed forces, under the courageous leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, responded with perseverance and professionalism, silenced the enemy, repulsed its attack and taught it a lesson it will never forget.

Shehbaz Sharif said US President Donald Trump's timely intervention came at a decisive juncture when two nuclear-armed neighbours stood at the brink of an all-out war.

He stressed that South Asia must never reach that precipice again, saying this requires a just and fair solution to the Kashmir dispute.

The Prime Minister said for eight decades, the Kashmiri people have waited for the United Nations to fulfil its solemn commitment of a free and impartial plebiscite under its auspices.

He said generations have endured illegal occupation, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence and collective punishment.

The Prime Minister said there have also been attempts to alter the legal status of Jammu and Kashmir through demographic re-engineering and other illegal measures.

He assured his Kashmiri brothers and sisters that Pakistan would continue to extend its full diplomatic, political and moral support to them until they are granted their inalienable right to self-determination. He declared that Kashmir has been and will always remain Pakistan's jugular vein.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, the Prime Minister said India's unilateral decision to hold the treaty in abeyance has no legal basis whatsoever.

He said Pakistan's legitimate stance that the treaty remains valid, binding and fully operative has been vindicated beyond any shadow of a doubt.

Shehbaz Sharif stressed that water must never be weaponised and rivers should nourish nations, not divide them. He made it clear that any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan's share of waters will be treated as an act of war.

Speaking about the fight against terrorism, the Prime Minister said Pakistan sacrificed almost one hundred thousand precious lives and suffered economic losses exceeding one hundred and fifty billion dollars.

He said Afghan territory continues to be exploited by the TTP, Fitna-al-Khawarij and the BLA, Fitna-al-Hindustan, which operate from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan with the aim of destabilising Pakistan.

The Prime Minister called for all such attacks, including incursions from the territory of Afghanistan, to come to a grinding halt.

He said the Afghan authorities must fulfil their international commitment and take verifiable, decisive action to ensure that Afghan soil is never again used against Pakistan or any other country.

Shehbaz Sharif also stressed that the fundamental rights of the Afghan people, especially women and girls, must be respected under all circumstances.

Highlighting Pakistan's contribution to UN peacekeeping, the Prime Minister said Pakistani men and women have served under the blue flag for decades, protecting civilians and helping countries emerge from conflict.

He also expressed concern over the alarming rise in Islamophobia. He said Muslims face hate speech, discrimination, attacks on mosques and desecration of the Holy Quran. He mentioned that the demolition of the 150-year-old mosque in Saharanpur, India, earlier this month is a case in point. He said religious hatred must have no place in this world.

Regarding the economy, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan is modernising agriculture and industry, developing mineral resources, digitising the economy and equipping its youth with modern AI and IT skills.

He further said Pakistan is opening new pathways with China through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as well as with the Gulf, Central Asia and beyond.

He called for timely debt relief, affordable long-term financing and a stronger voice for developing countries in global financial institutions. He stressed that development must receive the same urgency as security.

On climate change, the Prime Minister said Pakistan contributes less than one percent of global emissions, yet repeatedly bears the horrific consequences of climate change. He called on developed countries to honour their climate finance commitments without delay, fund loss and damage speedily, and ensure support for adaptation and resilience.

Talking about Palestine, the Prime Minister said Palestinians, particularly women, children and the elderly, have been subjected to occupation, eviction, suffering and death.

He said it is deeply worrying that Israeli violence has now spread to the West Bank, where the forcible eviction of Palestinians clearly reflects Israel's genocidal agenda.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan believes that the only just and lasting solution is the creation of an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous state of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

He also condemned continued Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Syria and called for it to stop immediately.

Referring to the theme of the 81st session, Shehbaz Sharif said trust cannot be restored by words alone, but must be earned through action and behaviour.

He called for Security Council reform to make it more representative, democratic and accountable. He said reforms must reflect the interests and aspirations of the overwhelming majority of member states, not the ambitions of a select few. He reiterated Pakistan's motto: "Reform for all, privilege for none."

Concluding his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called upon the 81st General Assembly to make a unanimous choice for present and future generations, restore trust, preserve peace and prove that even in a divided world, humanity can still choose to stand together.