PM Shehbaz declares Harmain Sharfain security a ‘red line’ at UN

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Friday that the security and sanctity of the Harmain Sharifain were a “red line” for Pakistan, declaring solidarity with Saudi Arabia during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Sharif condemned recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and said an alleged attempt to attack Makkah with a drone had caused outrage among Muslims worldwide. He said Pakistan would not compromise on the sanctity and security of Islam’s holiest sites.

“Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

The prime minister also called for the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb to remain open and not become “chokepoints” in regional conflicts.

Sharif said Pakistan had sought to facilitate diplomacy between the United States and Iran and acknowledged the peace efforts of Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Qatar, Egypt, China and other countries. He said diplomacy must prevail over the sound of missiles, drones and gunfire.

He said the recent conflict in the Gulf and Middle East had caused loss of life, damaged economies and placed strategic maritime routes under pressure. Pakistan, he added, had responded by supporting diplomatic efforts.

Sharif also spoke about Pakistan’s defense against India, saying Islamabad had acted under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter. He credited Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership and said Pakistan had defended itself against what he described as an Indian attack.

The prime minister said U.S. President Donald Trump’s role had helped prevent further escalation between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors and stressed that steps must be taken to prevent another crisis.

He called for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute and said a U.N.-supervised plebiscite should be held in Kashmir. He also accused India of imposing collective punishment and attempting to alter the region’s demographics.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, Sharif said India had unilaterally suspended the agreement and argued that the move had no legal validity. He also referred to decisions by international forums concerning the dispute.

Sharif began his address by reciting a verse from the Quran and cited Surah Al-Anfal, verse 61, emphasizing the message of seeking peace when the other side inclines toward it.

Pakistan’s government had said ahead of the address that the prime minister would focus on dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution, as well as regional and global security issues.