I stand
here today before the Assembly, soon after my country
has seen a new dawn. I come to this Hall in all humility
as the elected Prime Minister of Pakistan for the third
time. I feel exonerated, as my supporters and I have
stood firm in our commitment to democracy.
I am happy to inform representatives that we now
have a strong Parliament, an independent judiciary,
a free media and a vibrant civil society. But there
is no room for complacency. We cannot lower our
guard. Democracy needs constant vigilance and
strong institutions. It needs careful nurturing. More
importantly, it is not promises but good governance that
sustains democracy. My Government has put the people
at the centre. We will work to give them peace and
security, an environment of growth and development. I
am pursuing an inclusive approach for the entire nation.
Pakistan is an ardent supporter of the United
Nations, which is an anchor of peace and a beacon
of hope for all nations. The United Nations universal
character provides a forum to discuss, develop and
implement global responses to the pressing problems
of our times. Pakistan upholds international law and
promotes international consensus. The security of our
world is ensured and reinforced by friendly relations
among nations and respect for the sovereignty and the
territorial integrity of States.
The United Nations needs reform, but it should
be a reform that reflects the interests of all, not
just the ambitions of a few. We believe that the
Security Council’s composition should be made more
representative, democratic and equitable, and its work
more effective, transparent and accountable. The
intended reforms must, however, plan for a dynamic
future, not entrench or replicate outdated historical
patterns based on privileges. The role and authority
of the General Assembly must be fully restored and
revitalized. In the past few years, the General Assembly
has regained influence in responding to challenges in
regard to peace and security, development and climate
change. It is becoming a platform of choice. Yet, it has
to go a long way to acquire its full authority.
To save the world from the scourge of war, we have
to continue to strive for a fair and just international
order based on the rule of law. Festering disputes must
be resolved. In that regard, the United Nations has to
play a critical role.
The United Nations must, for instance, continue to
remain attentive to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir
and the full realization of the right to self-determination
of its people. The suffering of the people cannot be
brushed under the carpet because of power politics.
As in the past, Pakistan calls upon the international
community to give an opportunity to the Kashmiris
to decide their future peacefully, in accordance with
the relevant Security Council resolutions. The issue
of Jammu and Kashmir was presented to the Security
Council in January 1948, and yet the issue remains
unresolved after nearly seven decades.
I have aspirations for regional peace and
stability. I have shared that vision with leaders in
our neighbourhood. Shortly after assuming office,
I received a message of goodwill from the Prime
Minister of India, Mr. Manmohan Singh. I extended an
invitation to him to engage with us so as to address
all outstanding issues between our two countries,
and Prime Minister Singh’s response was positive.
Our two countries have wasted massive resources
in an arms race. We could have used those resources
for the economic well-being of our people. We still
have that opportunity. Pakistan and India can prosper
together; and the entire region would benefit from our
cooperation. We stand ready to re-engage with India
in a substantive and purposeful dialogue. I am looking
forward to meeting Prime Minister Singh here in
New York so as to make a new beginning. We have a
solid basis for doing that. We can build on the Lahore
Accord signed in 1999, which contained a road map
for the resolution of our differences through peaceful
negotiations. I am committed to working for a peaceful
and economically prosperous region. That is what our
people want and what I have long aspired to.
It gave me great pleasure to welcome President
Karzai in Islamabad last month. We reaffirmed our
shared goal of a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan.
The people of Afghanistan are and should remain
masters of their own destiny. We support an inclusive,
Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, leading
to national reconciliation. I assured President Karzai
that we do not wish to interfere in Afghanistan’s internal
affairs; nor do we have any favourites in that country.
In fact, we hope earnestly that the Afghans themselves
will unite for the peace, prosperity and development of
their great country.
Pakistan encourages United Nations efforts to
stabilize Afghanistan. We will work together with
Afghanistan for regional and economic cooperation
aimed at establishing and reinforcing regional trade,
energy and communications corridors. Our solidarity
with the Afghan people has been demonstrated through
our willingness to host millions of Afghan refugees in
Pakistan for many decades. International support for
their repatriation to and reintegration in Afghanistan is
indispensable. We also look forward to United Nations
support for addressing other transregional challenges,
including the flow of narcotics.
Last year, the Assembly gave Palestine the status of
non-Member observer State. We hope that it will soon
join this body as a full Member State. We are glad that
the stalled peace process has started again. It should
lead to the consolidation of an independent, viable and
contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967
borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Pakistan
will continue to demonstrate its solidarity with the
people of Palestine.
Even as we meet here, Syria is in turmoil, with
Syrians killing Syrians. We appeal to the Syrian
Government and the opposition groups to move to
the negotiating table in Geneva to prepare a road map
for national reconciliation and the necessary political
transitions. More war will lead to more killings,
which must be stopped. As a party to the Convention
on the Prohibition of the Development, Production,
Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on
Their Destruction, Pakistan remains opposed to the
use of chemical weapons. We condemn their use in the
strongest terms.
We welcome the agreement reached between the
United States and Russia, and supported by the other
permanent members of the Security Council, to secure
and destroy chemical weapons in Syria. That crucial
step has facilitated consensus within the Council to
adopt resolution 2118 (2013), which not only addresses
the issue of chemical weapons but could start the
stalled political process in Syria, leading to national
reconciliation and solutions that are acceptable to the
people of Syria. Pakistan will support that resolution.
Acceptance of the Geneva communiqué (S/2012/522,
annex) and a decision on dates for convening a Geneva
II conference will be a big step towards ending the crisis
in Syria. I call on all forces to invest their political will
and capital in diplomacy to bring peace to that country.
As a responsible nuclear-weapon State, we will
continue to pursue the goals of disarmament and
non-proliferation and adhere to a policy of credible
minimum deterrence without entering into any arms
race. We cannot, however, remain oblivious to the
evolving security dynamics in South Asia, nor can
we agree to an arrangement that is detrimental to our
security and strategic interests. Our position on the
proposed fissile material treaty is determined by our
national security interests and the objective of strategic
stability in South Asia.
The safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy,
without discrimination, is essential for economic
development. Pakistan qualifies for full access to civil
nuclear technology for peaceful purposes in order to
meet its growing energy needs for continued economic
growth. By the same token, as a mainstream partner
in the global non-proliferation regime, Pakistan has
impeccable credentials for joining the multilateral
export control regime, including the Nuclear
Suppliers Group. Pakistan will continue to participate
constructively in the Nuclear Security Summit, which
is a laudable initiative.
As a country that has suffered grievously for many
years from terrorism, we condemn that phenomenon in
all its forms and manifestations. Over the past 12 years,
we have made huge sacrifices in blood and resources.
We have lost 40,000 precious lives of men, women
and children, including 8,000 defence and security
personnel. There has been colossal damage to our social
and physical infrastructure, too. Our economy has
been denied the opportunity to grow fully. That must
change now. I have tried to forge national consensus on
a cohesive policy to eliminate terrorism from our soil.
For that purpose, I convened an all-parties conference
that spoke out unanimously against terrorism. We are
resolved to oppose the forces of terrorism with every
means at our disposal. At the same time, we have offered
dialogue to end violence, wean young extremists off
extremism and integrate all segments of our society
into the national mainstream. Winning young people’s
hearts and minds is as important as using guns to deter
terrorism. But dialogue should not be seen as a sign of
weakness or a tool of appeasement.
The war against terrorism must be waged within the
framework of international law. The use of armed drones
in the border areas of Pakistan is a continued violation
of our territorial integrity. It results in innocent civilian
casualties and is detrimental to our resolve and efforts
to eliminate extremism and terrorism in Pakistan. I
have urged the United States to cease those strikes so
that we can avoid further casualties and suffering.
Terrorism knows no borders. It has no religion
or creed, which is why maligning a whole people or
a religion on that account is unfair and unwise. Islam
is a religion of peace, compassion and brotherhood.
And the yet most insidious form of contemporary
racism in the name of religion is on the rise. Peaceful
Muslim communities are profiled and subjected to
discriminatory practices. Their faith, culture, holy
personalities and scriptures are under attack. The
stereotyping of Muslims as extremists and terrorists
must stop. We must all use the influence and reach
of the United Nations to avert a clash of civilizations
and to promote harmony among followers of diverse
religions all around the world. Terrorism negates
Islam’s humanistic outlook and noble values. Those
who perpetrate terrorism are enemies of Muslims and
Islam itself.
Pakistan is the largest troop contributor to United
Nations peacekeeping. Since 1960, we have contributed
150,000 troops, and 135 of our peacekeepers have lost
their lives in the service of peace. That has been our
most tangible assistance to the United Nations efforts
to maintain international peace and security.
We fully support the United Nations effort to
finalize and implement a single, coherent post-2015
development agenda that identifies benchmarks for
poverty alleviation, sustainable development and
social inclusion. More importantly, we should prepare
ourselves to respond effectively to save our planet from
the ravages of climate change.
Our Government is undertaking an economic
revolution in Pakistan so that it, too, can become part of
the emerging markets. We have all the fundamentals and
human and natural resources for such a transformation.
In the immediate future, our challenge is to overcome
a volatile security environment, correct structural
imbalances in the economy and bring an end to energy
shortages. We are building a new Pakistan with a robust
economy. From the international community, we seek
not aid but enhanced trade, market access, investment
and strong economic partnerships.
We are creating a new framework for change
to provide equal opportunities and social justice
for everyone, eliminate the exploitation of the poor,
harness our human resources and restore the dignity
of our citizens. We intend to use education as a key
driver of the socioeconomic development of Pakistan.
We are introducing a national health service across
Pakistan with the participation of the private sector. We
have also made the eradication of polio in Pakistan a
matter of great importance for my Government, as we
are determined to make Pakistan a polio-free country.
It is our strong resolve to promote the full
participation of women in national development, while
protecting their political, social and cultural rights as
agents of change. More than 63 per cent of our population
is under the age of 25. By investing in their education
and skills, we aim to tap into the demographic dividend.
Minorities are equal citizens of Pakistan. They will not
only have complete freedom to worship, but also full
protection of their rights to education, employment and
political participation.
We are deeply saddened by the recent terrorist attack
on the members of a minority community in Peshawar.
That heinous attack has united the entire Pakistani
nation in support of our brothers and sisters of all faiths
in Pakistan. We share their grief and have declared
three days of mourning. The attack was carried out
by the same elements who have attacked our mosques,
shrines, innocent citizens and members of our security
forces. However, the attack has further strengthened
my Government’s resolve to deal with terrorism and
extremism in a resolute and comprehensive manner,
as I reiterated in my very first speech at the National
Assembly of Pakistan.
In conclusion, I wish to emphasize to the Assembly
that Pakistan is a strong supporter of multilateral
diplomacy, convinced that it is the most legitimate and
ultimate guarantor of peace and security, economic and
social development, and respect for universal human
rights. As a non-permanent member of the Security
Council, Pakistan has been making every effort to
strengthen the role of diplomacy to resolve conflicts
and to help build States in post-conflict situations. In
all instances, we have upheld the primacy of the Charter
of the United Nations. We need multilateral diplomacy
so that we continue to respect diversity while reaching
decisions that impact our fate as members of the
international community. Towards that end, the United
Nations — the virtual world parliament — is our best
hope.