Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to return to Pakistan on Tuesday, drawing to a close an extensive two-week diplomatic mission that took him to the United Kingdom and the United States, where he addressed the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to a source in the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif had arrived in London from New York a few days earlier and was expected to depart for Pakistan on Tuesday morning. The prime minister left Islamabad on September 16, travelling first to London before proceeding to New York for the UNGA session.
UNGA Address Anchors the Visit
Sharif’s address to the General Assembly served as the centrepiece of his trip, during which he set out Pakistan’s position on a range of pressing international issues.
- Regional security concerns
- Water rights
- Ongoing global conflicts
- The need for diplomatic efforts to promote peace
The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with federal ministers and senior officials, throughout his engagements in New York.
Key Meetings on the Sidelines
During his stay in the United States, Sharif held a significant meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The two leaders discussed regional peace, bilateral cooperation and de-escalation in the Middle East.
The ongoing conflict involving Iran and the United States, particularly concerns surrounding the security of the Strait of Hormuz, also remained a major topic of discussion among world leaders gathered in New York.
Sharif also met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, with talks covering climate change, Islamophobia and regional security.
In addition, the prime minister held meetings with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency, and leaders from Kenya and Austria. Those discussions centred on economic cooperation, bilateral relations and multilateral issues.
His return marks the conclusion of an extended diplomatic tour that placed Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities before the international community.
