Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, strongly urged the international community to recognize its responsibilities in addressing serious global challenges. These include Israel’s ongoing violence in Gaza, India’s brutal actions in occupied Kashmir, the rising wave of Islamophobia, alarming climate change, and severe economic challenges affecting almost 100 countries.

Regarding Gaza, he stated that not only are the hands of the oppressors stained with the blood of Gaza's children, but also those who contribute to prolonging this conflict. He emphasized that the sacrifices of the Palestinians will not be in vain and called for working towards lasting peace through a two-state solution.

The Prime Minister made it clear that for sustainable peace in South Asia, India must reverse its illegal actions of August 5, 2019, in Kashmir. He also highlighted the serious challenges facing the world, such as Israel’s genocide and mass killings in Gaza, and mentioned that these events point to the need for a new global order. He warned about the threats posed by groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and other extremists in Afghanistan and stressed the need for reforms in the global counterterrorism framework.

Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that collective global efforts are needed to address challenges like terrorism, climate change, and Islamophobia. He described the debt and liquidity trap affecting nearly 100 developing countries as a "death trap" and said achieving the global sustainable development goals in these conditions is an illusion. Pakistan, he added, is waiting for its developed partners to fulfill their promises, including a new annual target of over $100 billion in climate financing.

However, after Shehbaz Sharif’s speech, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu threatened to expand the scope of the conflict, claiming that there is no place in Iran where Israel cannot reach. Israel has openly shown its aggressive intentions by attacking Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut with powerful missiles and continuing its assaults in Syria. The United Nations Security Council has been criminally negligent in taking effective action to end the ongoing violence in Gaza and the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, which is expanding in the Middle East.

Similarly, in occupied Kashmir, the international community has allowed Indian rulers to act without restraint. The United Nations, by remaining silent on India's unlawful actions of August 5 and showing no interest in implementing resolutions for a plebiscite, has effectively sided with the oppressors.

There is also a lack of enthusiasm from developed countries when it comes to helping climate-affected nations. However, global sustainable development and prosperity can only be achieved if the UN acts with genuine commitment to peace and justice rather than serving the interests of the powerful. Otherwise, the risk of another world war, as pointed out by the Prime Minister in his speech, could become a reality.