In a compelling address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar delivered a powerful message urging global action against terrorism, including the rising threat of “Hindutva-inspired extremists.” The Premier emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of terrorism, highlighted regional concerns, and called for international cooperation on critical issues such as climate change and peace in Afghanistan.
In his address, Prime Minister Kakar stressed the need for a unified approach to counterterrorism, emphasizing that all forms of terrorism, including the emerging threat posed by “Hindutva-inspired extremists,” must be tackled without discrimination. He urged the international community to confront far-right and fascist groups that threaten not only India’s Muslims but also Christians, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister called attention to the underlying factors that contribute to terrorism, such as poverty, injustice, foreign occupation, and the need to distinguish genuine freedom struggles from acts of terrorism. He proposed the creation of a UN General Assembly committee to oversee the balanced implementation of all four pillars of the global counterterrorism strategy, highlighting the importance of a multifaceted approach to address this pressing issue.
Prime Minister Kakar also touched upon the escalating tensions between India and Canada, particularly in light of accusations that India was involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil. He expressed grave concerns about the political agenda of Hindutva, which he described as “dangerous” and warned that it could potentially engulf the entire region and the world in conflict. The Premier emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to raising awareness about this issue on various international platforms.
The Caretaker Prime Minister drew attention to the rise of political and military blocs in the world, emphasizing the need for global cooperation rather than the resurgence of geopolitics. He underlined the profound challenges that humanity faces, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the importance of prioritizing geoeconomics over geopolitics.
Regarding climate change, the Premier acknowledged the commitments made during the climate summit and called for the realization of these commitments, including the allocation of over $100 billion in annual climate finance by developed countries. He stressed Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, citing the devastating impact of last year’s floods, and emphasized the need for international support in implementing climate-related initiatives.
On the issue of Kashmir, Prime Minister Kakar emphasized Pakistan’s desire for peaceful relations with all countries, including India. However, he reiterated that the Kashmir dispute remained crucial to peace in the South Asian region. He called for the implementation of UN resolutions regarding Kashmir and highlighted the dire situation in the region, including the deployment of a significant number of forces, curfews, and extrajudicial actions by India in occupied Kashmir.
Turning his attention to Afghanistan, the Premier emphasized the importance of peace and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan population. He called for measures to counter cross-border terrorist attacks and highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to preventing and addressing terrorism originating from Afghanistan.
In the final segment of his address, Prime Minister Kakar addressed the issue of Islamophobia, calling for mutual respect, the sanctity of religious symbols, and the celebration of diversity. He expressed concern about the negative profiling of Muslims and attacks on Islamic sites and symbols. He highlighted Pakistan’s efforts, including the proposal to designate March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, and urged further steps to combat Islamophobia.
Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s address at the United Nations General Assembly covered a wide range of critical global issues, from counterterrorism and regional tensions to climate change and Islamophobia. His call for international cooperation and action on these pressing matters reflects Pakistan’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the world today.
