Ishaq Dar to arrive in New York ahead of Sharif’s UN visit — Dawn
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will arrive in New York, United States, on Sunday for preliminary consultations ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Sharif is due to arrive in New York the following day and address the General Assembly on September 25, Dawn reports.
Delegation composition
According to sources at Pakistan’s UN mission, Pakistan’s delegation has been significantly reduced as part of government austerity measures. It will primarily consist of Dar and the prime minister’s senior adviser on foreign policy, Tariq Fatemi.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Climate Change and Environment Minister Musadik Malik, and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal will not join the trip, although their participation had previously been expected, the sources said.
Dar’s preparatory meetings are expected to focus on Pakistan’s priorities during the General Assembly’s high-level week and the rapidly changing situation in the region.
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General Assembly agenda
The high-level general debate will begin on September 22, continue until September 26, and resume on September 28. US President Donald Trump is expected to speak on the first day of the debate. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said Trump plans to raise the issue of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and discuss progress in implementing the US administration’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza.
Against the backdrop of the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, escalation in Yemen, and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Pakistan is expected to emphasize diplomacy, dialogue, and the peaceful settlement of conflicts. Islamabad is also expected to raise the issues of Palestine and Kashmir at the General Assembly.
Sharif’s agenda also includes sustainable development, climate action, counterterrorism, Islamophobia, and UN reform. He is expected to hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and the UN secretary-general.
