Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with US President Joe Biden at a dinner hosted by the American leader in honour of heads of state and government.
The PM met with President Biden during the last leg of his US tour during which he also participated in the UN General Assembly session in New York and held important meetings with global leaders.
Shehbaz and Biden reportedly exchanged good wishes for each other and discussed matters of mutual interest. Several other world leaders were also in attendance. Last night, US President Biden hosted a dinner in honour of various heads of government.
After completing his engagements in the US, Prime Minister Sharif returned to London, landing at the suburban Luton Airport. He is expected to stay in London for four days before returning to Pakistan. It is reported that his visit will include meetings with key figures, including British politicians and business leaders.
Prior to his US trip, Prime Minister Sharif had departed for New York from London on September 23. During his time in the US, he delivered a speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, addressing various global and regional issues. He also met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other important figures.
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The PM began his speech at the UNGA by reciting verses from the holy Quran. He condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza, describing it as a “great tragedy” where Palestinian children are being buried alive, and their homes are being burned.
“The world is watching this cruelty unfold,” he said, emphasizing that mere condemnation is not enough. He called for immediate global intervention to halt Israel's attacks.
Turning his attention to South Asia, the premier highlighted the ongoing human rights violations in India-held Kashmir. He called on the international community to focus on the humanitarian crisis in the region, where, he said, the Indian Army continues to commit atrocities against the Kashmiri people.
“Illegal occupation creates a fresh hell, every day, in the killing fields of Palestine, and in occupied Jammu and Kashmir… Can we turn a blind eye to the mothers, cradling the lifeless bodies of their children? This is not just a conflict; this is systematic slaughter of innocent people; an assault on the very essence of human life and dignity. The blood of Gaza’s children stains the hands of not just the oppressors, but also of those who are complicit in prolonging this cruel conflict,” he told the assembly.
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Deliberating on the challenge posed by climate change, Shehbaz recalled that the catastrophic floods devastated Pakistan two years ago, causing damages worth $30 billion. He pointed out that Pakistan emits less than 1% of global carbon emissions, yet it has paid a heavy price for no fault of its.
PM Sharif acknowledged the difficult decisions taken to restore the economy, which, although caused temporary hardships for the people, have started to bear fruit. He noted that inflation has decreased to a single digit, a significant achievement considering the country's economic situation.
To combat terrorism, PM Sharif stressed the need for the Afghan government to take decisive action against terrorist groups and prevent cross-border terrorism. He also called for action against other terrorist organizations. He also urged the Afghan interim government to meet international expectations to respect human rights, including the rights of women and girls, promote political inclusion, and take effective action to neutralize all terrorist groups within Afghanistan, especially those responsible for cross-border terrorism against neighbouring countries.
