New Delhi: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed victory over India in the conflict post the Pahalgam terror attack, thanked US President Donald Trump for ending the “war” and called for an “impartial plebiscite” to decide the future of Jammu and Kashmir in his address Friday to the United Nations General Assembly.
“Our valiant armed forces, under the stellar leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, mounted an operation of stunning professionalism, bravery and acumen, repulsing the enemy’s attack… Though in a position of strength, Pakistan accepted a ceasefire facilitated by President Donald Trump’s bold and visionary leadership,” Sharif said on Friday.
He added that these efforts had led Pakistan to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Sharif said: “Had he not intervened timely and decisively, the consequences of a full-fledged war would have been catastrophic.”
The Pakistani prime minister spoke on the fourth day of General Assembly debates, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sharif thanked a number of countries, including Türkiye, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iran, for their support during Operation Sindoor.
“Excellencies, we have won the war. And now we seek to win peace in our part of the world, and this is my most sincere and serious offer before this august assembly of the nations. Pakistan stands ready for a composite, comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues,” Sharif said.
India and Pakistan engaged in an 87-hour conflict in May this year, after New Delhi struck terrorist camps deep inside Pakistani territory and in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack on 22 April. The attack, which according to the Indian government emanated from across the border, killed 26 people.
Pakistan retaliated against the strikes, targeting Indian military positions, leading to a tit-for-tat escalation over the following few days until the two countries reached a bilateral understanding to pause the conflict.
India has maintained that the cessation of hostilities was achieved bilaterally, while Pakistan has thanked Trump for facilitating the pause.
Sharif and Munir met Trump on Thursday for a bilateral meeting. Islamabad recently signed a mutual-defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and has seen its ties with the US improve as it has sought novel ways to win over Trump, including through cryptocurrency trade.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, will speak at the UNGA on Saturday.
(Edited by Shashank Kishan)
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