Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calls for diplomacy to resolve regional conflicts and warns India against stopping or diverting Pakistan’s share of river waters.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has called for renewed diplomacy to address escalating conflicts in the Middle East and warned that any attempt by India to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s rightful share of river waters would be treated as an act of war.

Addressing the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Friday, the prime minister urged world leaders to prioritise dialogue and cooperation amid conflicts, mistrust and geopolitical tensions.

The UN confirms that Pakistan was among the countries addressing the General Debate of the 81st General Assembly, whose theme is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

“We live at a dangerous moment. But our future is certainly not predetermined,” Shehbaz Sharif told the gathering.

He said Pakistan had chosen dialogue over confrontation, cooperation over coercion and peace over war.

Shehbaz calls for diplomacy amid Middle East conflicts

Addressing the situation in the Middle East, the prime minister said military confrontation should not overshadow diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts.

He said Pakistan had moved to facilitate negotiations between Washington and Tehran following the outbreak of the regional conflict, with talks in Islamabad subsequently leading to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

Shehbaz Sharif also highlighted the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, describing them as vital arteries of the global economy that should remain open for commerce rather than become theatres of confrontation.

The prime minister condemned attacks against Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Kingdom, stressing the importance of protecting the sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain.

He also referred to the defence arrangement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, saying it was intended to contribute to regional defence, stability and peace.

Pakistan has separately reaffirmed its support for diplomatic efforts to resolve regional tensions, including during Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the UNGA.

Kashmir remains central to South Asian peace

Turning to South Asia, Shehbaz Sharif referred to last year’s Pakistan-India conflict and said Pakistan had exercised its right to self-defence.

He praised Pakistan’s armed forces for their response and credited US President Donald Trump with helping prevent further escalation between the two nuclear-armed countries.

The prime minister said lasting peace in South Asia remained linked to a resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

He reiterated Pakistan’s support for what it describes as the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and called for implementation of relevant UN commitments.

Shehbaz also alleged that India had committed human rights violations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and accused New Delhi of seeking to alter the territory’s legal and demographic character.

Pakistan issues warning over Indus waters

Water security was a major element of the prime minister’s address.

Shehbaz Sharif described the Indus River system as vital to Pakistan and criticised India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

He said Pakistan’s position had been supported by findings and statements from UN experts and the Court of Arbitration concerning the treaty’s continuing validity.

“Water must never be weaponized. Rivers should nourish nations, not divide them,” he said.

The prime minister then issued a direct warning to India, saying any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s rightful share of river waters would be regarded by Islamabad as an act of war.

“India must make no mistake about it,” he said.

A UN document issued earlier this year records Pakistan’s position that any attempt to stop or divert water lawfully belonging to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty would be regarded as an act of war. The document also refers to concerns raised by UN mandate holders about unilateral suspension of the treaty and the use of water as political or economic pressure.

Shehbaz highlights Palestinian suffering

A substantial part of the address focused on the situation in Palestine.

Shehbaz Sharif referred to the deaths of Palestinian children and criticised what he described as the international community’s failure to prevent civilian suffering.

He condemned violence in Gaza and referred to developments in the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria.

Pakistan reiterated its support for an independent and viable Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

The prime minister described such an arrangement as the basis for a lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue.

The UN’s 81st General Assembly has continued to place the Middle East and Palestine among the major issues under discussion during the high-level week.

Pakistan highlights sacrifices against terrorism

On terrorism, Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had suffered significant human and economic losses during its fight against militancy.

He said Pakistan had lost nearly 100,000 civilians and members of its armed forces and incurred economic losses exceeding $150 billion.

The prime minister alleged that Afghan territory continued to be used by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) for activities against Pakistan.

He urged Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to take verifiable measures to prevent their territory from being used against Pakistan or other countries.

He also called for respect for the fundamental rights of the Afghan people, particularly women and girls.

Pakistan calls for stronger climate action

The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to UN peacekeeping and raised concerns over Islamophobia, including hate speech, attacks on mosques and desecration of the Holy Quran.

On climate change, he said Pakistan contributes less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions while remaining highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters.

He called on developed countries to honour climate-finance commitments, increase support for loss and damage, and provide resources to vulnerable countries for adaptation and resilience.

Shehbaz outlines economic priorities

On Pakistan’s economy, the prime minister said structural reforms and fiscal discipline had helped restore macroeconomic stability and establish the foundations for sustainable and inclusive growth.

He highlighted efforts to modernise agriculture and industry, develop mineral resources, digitise the economy and equip young people with skills in artificial intelligence and information technology.

He also outlined plans to strengthen regional connectivity and expand economic cooperation with China, the Gulf and Central Asian states.

The prime minister said developing countries needed timely debt relief, affordable long-term financing and greater representation in international financial institutions.

PM calls for UN reform

Shehbaz Sharif also called for reform of the United Nations, particularly the UN Security Council, saying it should become more representative, democratic and accountable.

He argued that reform should reflect the interests and aspirations of the wider international community rather than preserve the privileges of a limited group of countries.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s stated principle: “Reform for All, Privilege for None.”

Concluding his address, the prime minister returned to the need for diplomacy and international cooperation.

He urged the international community to restore trust, preserve peace and pursue collective action despite divisions between states.