ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to return to the country on Tuesday (today) after wrapping up his two-week tour to the UK and the US.
His hard-hitting address at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly focusing on regional security, water rights, and global conflicts was the highlight among his engagements in New York.
“The prime minister will return to the country tomorrow night,” said a source in the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday. The source added the prime minister, who reached London from New York a couple of days ago, would leave for home by Tuesday morning.
PM Shehbaz had left Islamabad on Sept 16 and reached London for a three-day stopover before proceeding to the US, primarily to attend the UNGA. On his way back, the PM again stayed in London for two days. “In fact, travelling from Pakistan to the US and vice versa is quite a long journey, PM Shehbaz opted to stay somewhere, preferably in London,” the source explained. The PM was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers and senior officials during the New York leg of his visit.
In his UNGA address, the premier presented Pakistan’s perspective on regional and global developments with a renewed push for peace through diplomacy.
The current war between Iran and the US remained a centrepiece in discussions among world leaders, particularly over the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
In this regard, PM Shehbaz’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was quite significant as they discussed regional peace, bilateral cooperation, and de-escalation in the Middle East.
In his interaction with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, he highlighted climate challenges, Islamophobia, and regional security. The PM also held talks with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the Chairman of Bosnia’s Presidency, and leaders from Kenya and Austria focusing on economic ties and multilateral cooperation.
