Shehbaz, Dar step up diplomacy at UNGA

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar intensified Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, holding meetings with foreign leaders and discussing bilateral ties, regional security and international issues.

Prime Minister Shehbaz met Kenyan President William Ruto and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly. He also held informal discussions with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

During his meeting with President Ruto, Shehbaz and the Kenyan leader agreed to further strengthen relations between the two countries. They reviewed progress in bilateral ties and discussed ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, defence, education and people-to-people contacts.

The prime minister highlighted pharmaceuticals, textiles, surgical instruments and agriculture as sectors with potential for greater trade and investment. He invited Kenyan businesses to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in the country’s Special Economic Zones.

Shehbaz also expressed Pakistan’s interest in stronger engagement with the East African Community and called for increased interaction between the business communities of Pakistan and Kenya.

President Ruto appreciated Pakistan’s role in efforts to mediate the recent crisis in West Asia and the Gulf region. The two leaders also exchanged views on global and regional developments, sustainable development, peace and international security.

They agreed to make greater use of existing bilateral mechanisms, including the Bilateral Political Consultations and Joint Ministerial Commission, to further strengthen cooperation.

In his meeting with Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s close and longstanding ties with Kuwait. The discussions covered trade, investment, energy and human resource development, along with regional and international developments.

The two sides emphasised the importance of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Separately, Dar raised Pakistan’s security concerns during a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Contact Group on Afghanistan. He called for concrete and verifiable steps to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for terrorist activities against neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan.

Dar highlighted Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and referred to the recent attack in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as an indication of the continuing security threat.

He urged the Afghan Taliban to meet their international obligations, prevent terrorist groups from operating from Afghan soil and work towards inclusive governance. He also called for measures to facilitate the resettlement and integration of Afghan returnees.

The deputy prime minister further called for restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan to be lifted, arguing that such restrictions conflict with Islamic principles and the practices of Muslim societies.

Dar also urged the international community to provide greater financial assistance for Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs and support its economic and social development.

He reiterated Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan that maintains peaceful relations with its neighbours.

During his separate meeting with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Dar reviewed bilateral relations and welcomed continued high-level engagement between the two countries