Sharif Highlights Diplomatic Mediation Between Washington and Tehran
Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 25, 2026, outlining Islamabad’s diplomatic interventions in regional conflicts. During his speech, Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to mediate tensions between the United States and Iran.
Sharif stated that Pakistan successfully brought Washington and Tehran together following a conflict in February that threatened the Strait of Hormuz. He cited the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" as a historic step taken to end the serious conflict between the two nations, according to reports from Breitbart News.
The Prime Minister also addressed security concerns in the Middle East, condemning recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Sharif specifically referenced an attempted drone strike on Mecca, describing threats to the city's sanctity as a "red line." He pointed to Pakistan’s trilateral defense agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, known as the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, as evidence of his government's commitment to regional peace.
Claims Regarding Border Skirmish and Kashmir Dispute
A significant portion of Sharif’s address focused on relations with India. He claimed that Pakistan defeated India in a brief border skirmish last year following a terrorist attack on Indian civilians. Sharif asserted that Pakistani forces under Field Marshal Shaheed Azam Munir "silenced the enemy" during the engagement.
Sharif thanked President Donald Trump for his intervention in the conflict, claiming it saved hundreds of millions of lives by preventing all-out war between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. An Indian representative to the UN was observed shaking his head in disagreement during Sharif’s speech.
The Prime Minister advocated for a "just and fair discussion" of the Kashmir dispute as the only way to prevent future conflict with India. He called on the United Nations to fulfill its commitment to a free and impartial plebiscite in the region.
Sharif alleged that Kashmiris have endured illegal occupation, arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and collective punishment for eight decades. He used the platform to urge international attention on these allegations as part of his broader criticism of India.