'We cannot draw a veil on the issue of Kashmir'

Mr President,

At the national level, we have launched our Vision 2025, which puts people first. This is inspired by our founding father, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's vision of a welfare state, based on the principles of justice, equity and responsibility.

In the coming decade, we will develop human and social capital through investment in education, health and gender parity; stimulate sustained economic growth; prioritise energy, water and food security; modernise public sector, and encourage private sector-led entrepreneurship.

We have determined that regional peace and security, political stability in the country, the rule of law and social justice are absolutely crucial for the realisation of these goals. Above all, we will continue to work for the promotion and protection of human rights. Energy is key to economic development. Pakistan co-chairs the Group of Friends of UN Secretary General's initiative on Sustainable Energy for All. The objectives of this initiative are also our national goals.

In South Asia, our people have missed opportunities for prosperity because of unresolved conflicts. We have a choice today: continue with the status quo or to seize the moment to resolve all outstanding issues and free up our shared energies for co-operation. To take this course of high statesmanship, we need more, not less, dialogue and diplomacy. We were disappointed at the cancellation of the foreign secretary-level talks. The world community, too, rightly saw it as another missed opportunity.

Pakistan is convinced that we must remain engaged in the dialogue process for settling disputes and building economic and trade relations. Let us not ignore the dividends of peace.

Mr President, more than six decades ago, the United Nations (UN) passed resolutions to hold a plebiscite in Jammu & Kashmir. The people of Jammu & Kashmir are still waiting for the fulfilment of that promise. Many generations of Kashmiris have lived their lives under occupation, accompanied by violence and abuse of their fundamental rights. Kashmiri women, in particular, have undergone immense suffering and humiliation.

The core issue of Jammu and Kashmir has to be resolved. This is the responsibility of the international community. We cannot draw a veil on the issue of Kashmir, until it is addressed in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan is ready to work for a resolution of this problem through negotiations.

Afghanistan is going through momentous security, political and economic transitions. As always, Pakistan stands in solidarity with the fraternal Afghan people. I congratulate the people of Afghanistan over the successful completion of the electoral process and offer our warm felicitations and good wishes to the new Afghan leadership.

It is our earnest hope that these landmark processes would culminate in the emergence of a stronger, more stable, and unified Afghanistan. We also hope that the process of inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation would move forward, contributing to greater harmony, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. Pakistan remains committed to forging a deeper bilateral relationship with Afghanistan on the basis of equal security and shared prosperity. Our two nations confront common challenges, which call for greater co-operation and understanding between our two nations.

Afghanistan should become a pivot of strategic co-operation, rather than of rivalry. In the past year and a half, we have consciously reached out to Afghanistan to address difficult issues and build on convergences.

Pakistan continues to host, for the past 30 years, millions of Afghan refugees on its soil. This is the largest refugee caseload in the world. The international community must maintain and enhance support for the repatriation of these refugees.

Pakistan is mainly a victim of drugs transit and trafficking. Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan and other states in the region, together with the UN, should step up their efforts to fight this menace. Pakistan has launched a massive operation to eliminate terrorism. Complementary counter-terrorism measures on the Afghan side of the border are essential to achieve optimal results.

Pakistan is not participating in any arms race in the region. Yet, we cannot be oblivious to the emerging security scenarios and buildup of armaments. I will reiterate the need for an inter-linked mechanism for pursuing nuclear restraint, conventional equilibrium and conflict resolution. To promote stability, we are prepared to explore new Confidence Building Measures.

Pakistan has maintained the highest standards of nuclear safety and security. At the last Summit at The Hague that I attended, Pakistan's recent nuclear measures, especially the establishment of a Centre of Excellence, were appreciated.

Pakistan is a state with advanced nuclear technology, with an experience of more than 40 years. We are a mainstream partner in the international non-proliferation regime. Pakistan also has a stringent national export control system that is fully harmonised with international export control regimes. Though a non-member, we are abiding by their guidelines. Pakistan ought to be a part of these export control regimes, especially the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Pakistan also qualifies for access to civil nuclear technology.

The ongoing UN reform must be comprehensive. We support a reform of the Security Council that would reflect the interests of all members' states - small, medium-sized and large - and not the ambitions of a few. There should be no new permanent seats in the Council. This will be contrary to the democratic character of this world body. We want the Council to become more representative, equitable, accountable and transparent.

---

Edited exceprts from the statement by Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan during the General Debate of the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, September 26