By Web Desk
Lahore
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, September 26, 2026, delivering an uncompromising foreign policy speech in which he declared that the safety, sovereignty, and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain—the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah—constitute a permanent "red line" for Pakistan and the global Muslim community.
Speaking before heads of state, foreign dignitaries, and multilateral delegates in the UN General Assembly plenary hall, the Prime Minister condemned recent hostile aerial and drone provocations targeting Saudi Arabian territory. Sharif stated unequivocally that Pakistan maintains zero compromise on the security of the holy sites, emphasizing that the Pakistani nation and its armed forces stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in neutralizing any external threats.
Trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Agreement
In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz brought global focus to the landmark trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Agreement established between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye. Characterizing the agreement as a historic pillar of collective deterrence and defensive coordination, Sharif clarified that the pact is not directed against any specific nation, but serves as a stabilizing framework to guarantee regional equilibrium, protect commercial maritime navigation, and safeguard sovereign territorial integrity across the Middle East and South Asia.
The Prime Minister noted that collective security partnerships have become indispensable as unconventional aerial threats and proxy attacks test regional stability. He commended Saudi Arabia's diplomatic leadership and affirmed that Islamabad remains fully committed to operationalizing mutual defense guarantees whenever holy sites or regional peace are endangered.
Maritime lifelines and regional waterways
Sharif addressed broader Middle Eastern tensions, warning against dangerous disruptions to vital international shipping corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb. He emphasized that global maritime lifelines must not be converted into theatres of confrontation or economic extortion, stressing that developing economies and global energy markets cannot withstand prolonged maritime blockades.
The Prime Minister called on major powers to exercise diplomatic restraint and pursue dialogue through institutional channels, rather than escalating naval standoffs that jeopardize commercial sea lanes relied upon by billions of people worldwide.
Unwavering stance on Gaza and Kashmir
Devoting a substantial segment of his address to humanitarian crises, Prime Minister Shehbaz voiced profound grief and outrage over the ongoing devastation in Gaza. He strongly condemned civilian casualties and systemic infrastructure destruction, demanding an immediate, permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and international accountability.
Sharif reiterated that lasting peace in the Middle East remains unattainable without the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. He urged the international community to move beyond rhetorical statements and enforce United Nations resolutions upholding Palestinian self-determination.
Turning to South Asia, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's principled support for the Kashmiri people, calling upon the UN Security Council to honor its solemn commitments by facilitating a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He underscored that regional stability hinges upon resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of its people.
Stern warning on Indus Waters Treaty and river security
In a direct message on cross-border water security, Sharif warned neighboring India against any unilateral attempt to divert, obstruct, or manipulate Pakistan's downstream river waters governed under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. He affirmed that water security is directly linked to the survival of more than 240 million Pakistanis and declared that any attempt to weaponize water or violate treaty commitments would be viewed by Pakistan as an overt "act of war."
Recalling the peaceful resolution of past border friction, Sharif commended international diplomatic mediation while making clear that Pakistan's restraint should never be mistaken for weakness. He reiterated Pakistan's desire for peaceful coexistence, sovereign equality, and cooperative development across South Asia.
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