• Says vital sea lanes must not become ‘chokepoints of confrontation’
• Highlights Pakistan’s mediation between Iran, US; Guterres voices support for Islamabad’s efforts
• Premier condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
• Warns India against any move to divert Pakistan’s waters
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab to be kept open, telling the United Nations General Assembly that the two waterways were vital to the world economy and must not be turned into flashpoints, as he pressed Pakistan’s mediation between Washington and Tehran as a path to de-escalation.
“The Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab are arteries of the global economy. They must remain open, connecting nations, not becoming chokepoints of confrontation,” he said.
Addressing the 81st session of the UNGA, the premier highlighted the loss of lives, economic suffering and pressure on critical maritime routes caused by the conflict in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
“At this critical moment, Pakistan chose to act swiftly. Through concerted efforts, Pakistan brought Washington and Tehran under one roof in Islamabad,” he said, referring to diplomatic efforts that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran in June.
Pakistan has continued to present the Islamabad MoU as a framework for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy.
“Amid the roar of missiles, drones and guns, the voice for diplomacy must echo even louder and stronger,” the premier stated.
UN chief backs Pakistan’s mediation
The United Nations secretary general has expressed support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts between Iran and the United States.
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s continuing role as a go-between and PM Shehbaz’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a UN spokesperson said the secretary general had been “very clear in expressing his support and his gratitude for the mediation efforts led by Pakistan”.
The spokesperson said the efforts had led to the Islamabad understanding, which, in a different context, had helped create “a moment, a period of calm” in the region.
The understanding had also facilitated the movement of essential supplies, the spokesperson said, noting that “energy and food and other items were flowing more easily through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Asked about reports of continuing discussions following the prime minister’s meeting with the Iranian president and the prospects for further progress, the spokesperson said the UN was aware of the developments.
“We’ve seen reports of various discussions going on,” the spokesperson said. “And we hope that they will bear fruit.”
Houthi attacks, Makkah pact
PM Shehbaz also condemned “in the strongest possible terms” recent attacks by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia, calling them “deplorable” and expressing Pakistan’s complete solidarity with the kingdom.
He highlighted the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia as a reflection of Pakistan’s commitment to peace.
“This alliance is not directed against any country; it is a collective commitment for defence, stability and peace in the region, and nothing more,” he stressed.
Palestine
The premier restated Pakistan’s support for Palestine, expressing concern over Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank as well as continuing hostilities involving Lebanon and Syria.
In particular, he said the forcible eviction of Palestinians in the West Bank “clearly reflects Israel’s genocidal agenda”.
“Pakistan believes that the only just and lasting solution is the creation of an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” he reaffirmed.
Water an ‘act of war’
Turning to South Asia, PM Shehbaz reiterated that any attempt by India to divert Pakistan’s share of water would be treated as an “act of war”.
“Water must never be weaponised. Rivers should nourish nations, not divide them. Therefore, 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,” he said.
He said India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance since last year’s conflict had no legal basis, noting that New Delhi’s claims and actions regarding the treaty had been rejected by UN experts as well as by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, leaving Pakistan “vindicated beyond any doubt”. He called the Indus river system the “lifeblood” of the region.
The premier, who opened his address by saying “the pursuit of peace is among the noblest of human endeavours”, also recalled last year’s conflict with India, which was triggered by a terror attack in Pahalgam that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad, an allegation Pakistan denied.
“Our brave and valiant armed forces, under the courageous leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, responded with precision and professionalism,” he said.
He once again praised US President Donald Trump’s “resolute and visionary leadership” in brokering a ceasefire between the two countries in May 2025, stressing that it saved “hundreds of millions of lives”.
“Who knows the extent of devastation that could have taken place had President Trump not stepped in at this critical moment with clarity of thought and action?” he said. “We must therefore ensure that South Asia never reaches this precipice ever again.”
Kashmir
This, however, required a fair resolution of the Kashmir dispute, the premier said.
“For eight decades, the Kashmiri people have waited for the United Nations to fulfil its solemn commitment of a free and impartial plebiscite,” he said.
He said Kashmiris had endured illegal occupation, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence and collective punishment for generations, and declared that Pakistan would continue to extend its full diplomatic, political and moral support to them until they were granted their right to self-determination, terming Kashmir “Pakistan’s jugular vein”.
Anwar Iqbal in Washington also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2026
