Haramain Sharifain is Our Red Line, Kashmir is Our Jugular Vein, and Water Diversion Will Be Treated as an Act of War: PM Shehbaz Sharif at UNGA
NEW YORK : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has delivered a comprehensive and hard-hitting address at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, touching upon critical pillars of national security, regional diplomacy, and international stability.
Addressing the global body representing 240 million peace-loving citizens for his fourth time, the Prime Minister opened his remarks by congratulating the newly elected UNGA President and commending the visionary leadership of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Recalling Quranic verses emphasizing peace, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the UN Charter, multilateralism, and the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
Protecting Haramain Sharifain and Defending the Makkah Defense Pact
A central focus of the Prime Minister’s address was the security of the Middle East and the Gulf. Condemning recent Houthi drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and Makkah, Prime Minister Shehbaz drew a definitive line:
The Red Line: “Any threat to the safety and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain is a red line that must never be crossed,” he declared, emphasizing that Pakistan stands in absolute solidarity with the government and brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.
Makkah Joint Defense Agreement: Highlighting the trilateral defensive pact between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan, the Prime Minister stressed that the alliance is purely an instrument for regional defense, stability, and peace, and is not directed against any nation. He also emphasized that critical maritime choke points like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb must remain open for global commerce rather than becoming flashpoints of war.
Warning to India on Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty
Shifting focus to South Asian security, Prime Minister Shehbaz addressed the delicate security paradigm following last year’s military tensions, acknowledging US President Donald Trump’s timely diplomatic intervention that helped avert a broader crisis. However, he issued an uncompromising warning regarding territorial sovereignty and water rights:
The Kashmir Dispute: Terming Kashmir as Pakistan’s jugular vein, the Prime Minister urged the United Nations to fulfill its eight-decade-old promise of holding a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices, condemning ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Water Security Warning: Strongly denouncing India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, Prime Minister Shehbaz stated that water must never be weaponized. In a stern declaration, he warned: “Any attempt to stop, impede, or divert Pakistan’s share of the waters will be treated as an act of war. India must make no mistake about it.”
Condemning Gaza Silence and Addressing Terrorism
Devoting a significant portion of his address to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, the Prime Minister decried international silence over the killings of innocent children in Gaza, reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering demand for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Addressing the menace of cross-border terrorism, Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s monumental sacrifices—costing nearly 100,000 lives and $150 billion in economic losses—while explicitly naming terrorist outfits like Fitna al-Khwarij (TTP) and Fitna al-Hindustan (BLA) for utilizing Afghan soil to mount attacks against Pakistan.