Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar called for countering all forms of terrorism without discrimination, including the rising threat posed by “Hindutva-inspired extremists” who threaten genocide against India’s Muslims and Christians.
In his address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), he also urged global powers to convince India to accept Islamabad’s offer of mutually restraining strategic and conventional weapons to maintain peaceful ties with all its neighbors.
The premier stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of terrorism, such as poverty, injustice, foreign occupation, and distinguishing genuine freedom struggles from terrorism. He proposed the creation of a committee of the UNGA to oversee the balanced implementation of all four pillars of the global counter-terrorism strategy.
Regarding the Kashmir issue, Kakar emphasized that UN resolutions on Kashmir are “the key to peace” between Pakistan and India. He called for the reinforcement of a UN military observer group on India and Pakistan and a collective global effort to persuade New Delhi to accept Pakistan’s offer of mutual restraint on strategic and conventional weapons.
Kakar condemned India’s deployment of 900,000 troops in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) after the revocation of Kashmir’s special status in 2019, citing extended lockdowns, curfews, confinement of Kashmiri leaders, and extrajudicial killings of innocent Kashmiris.
He also expressed concern about the phenomenon of Islamophobia, which has escalated since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, negatively profiling Muslims and targeting Islamic sites and symbols. Pakistan previously proposed an International Day to combat Islamophobia, which was adopted by the UNGA.
The caretaker premier called for a two-state solution to the Palestine issue, emphasizing the establishment of a viable and contiguous Palestinian State within pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Kakar highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to UN peacekeeping missions, with over 230,000 peacekeepers deployed in 47 missions worldwide. He emphasized the need to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers and the development of capabilities for successful enforcement action by the UN and international forces when needed.
The caretaker prime minister cautioned against the resurgence of geo-politics and the escalation of tensions between global powers, highlighting the need for global cooperation to address various challenges, including the economy, pandemics, conflicts, and climate change. He assured the UNGA of Pakistan’s commitment to rapid economic recovery, with a focus on stabilizing reserves and foreign exchange currency.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s address to the UNGA touched on various international issues, including terrorism, regional conflicts, peacekeeping, and climate change, while advocating for global cooperation and peace.
