Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of global disputes, while urging the international community to press the Afghan Taliban to honour their international obligations and curb terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.
“Peaceful resolution of disputes is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign diplomacy. It is in the same spirit that Pakistan supported the Gaza Peace Plan and its subsequent endorsement by the UN Security Council,” the prime minister said in his address to the international forum held in connection with the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.
The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan began the year by assuming its place as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, where the country was striving to uphold global peace and security.
“While we persevere in this quest for peace, the scourge of terrorism is, however, raising its head yet again, and this time, unfortunately, Afghan soil,” he said urging the international community to press the Afghan Taliban regime to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and rein in terrorist elements operating from its territory.
Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to the brotherly countries- Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran- for their sincere desire and efforts to achieve permanent ceasefire, “which, as I speak, is still very fragile”.
He said the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2788 earlier this year was a strong endorsement of Pakistan’s vision for the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The prime minister hoped that as part of the group of eight Arab Islamic countries, the ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East will ultimately protect and save the lives of innocent Palestinians, ensuring a lasting and permanent ceasefire, allow the flow of critical humanitarian aid, and help in the reconstruction of Gaza.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support all efforts aimed at upholding the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, as well as for the brave and resilient Kashmiri people.
The prime minster noted that the pursuit of lasting peace was intrinsically linked to the path of sustainable development. In this regard, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development presents a universal blueprint for a better and peaceful world. Socioeconomic development and the welfare of our people are my government’s foremost priority.
“We have made significant strides in several key areas, including by advancing financial inclusion, bringing women and the marginalized into the economic mainstream,” he said adding that in the face of global warming, Pakistan had demonstrated its strong commitment to undertake cleaner and greener solutions, transforming our landscape and setting a global example in ecosystem restoration. “However, like many developing nations, our quest for sustainable development is facing the headwinds of climate-induced disasters and inequities in international economic relations.”
PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had suffered in 2023 devastating floods, faced human life losses and economic losses, and then again this year it faced catastrophic situations because of climate change devastations.
The prime minister added that climate change, poverty and inequality were not isolated challenges. These are transnational threats that demand international solutions built on the foundation of shared responsibility and unity of purpose.
“Access to advanced technologies, especially digital technologies, must also be equitable and without any kind of discrimination,” he added.
He also appealed the global leaders to let this forum serve as a genuine call to action and urgent action for a new paradigm of international relations, where we move from zero-sum mindsets to purposeful cooperation.
“Let us invest in connectivity, not just as conduits for transportation of goods, but as bridges for people, ideas and prosperity.”
Separately, Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his firm resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Turkiye in all areas of mutual interest including political, energy, economic, defence and investment.
Both leaders also exchanged views on regional as well as global developments. The prime minister appreciated President Erdogan’s bold leadership and strong commitment to peace efforts in Gaza.
President Erdogan thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his views, particularly his kind words and expressed his desire to work together with a view to build stronger ties between the two countries.
Moreover, Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Iran’s President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian. Both leaders appreciated the strong support that their countries had provided to each other when they had faced external aggression earlier this year, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
While noting the successful convening of the 22nd meeting of the Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission earlier this year, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for both sides to continue working closely to strengthen bilateral cooperation with a view to enhancing the volume of bilateral trade, operationalizing border markets, strengthening border security, and reinvigorating transport connectivity through the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul rail network.
Both leaders also discussed ongoing peace efforts in Gaza.
President Pezeshkian thanked the prime minister for the most useful and timely exchange of views and stated that Iran also desired to further strengthen its ties with Pakistan.
Also, the prime minister Shehbaz Sharif exchanged pleasantries with world leaders at the international forum. On the sidelines of the event, the prime minister held informal interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.
The prime minister, who delivered an address at the forum earlier in the day, drew significant attention as leaders gathered in a room, engaging in an infromal discussions on issues of mutual interest.
A video clip released by the Prime Minister’s Office showed Prime Minister Shehbaz warmly holding hands with Russian President Putin and Kyrgyz President Zhaparov while engaging in separate conversations with them.
Earlier, he also joined the world leaders at the iconic Neutrality Monument here, where they participated in a wreath-laying ceremony before addressing the forum where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of global disputes, while urging the international community to press the Afghan Taliban to honour their international obligations and curb terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.