PM Nawaz Sharif in New York; will address 193 member UNGA
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NEW YORK (APP): With Kashmir high on his agenda, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif arrived in New York on Sunday to lead the Pakistani delegation to the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he will enunciate Islamabad's position on key global, regional issues before one of the largest gatherings of leaders from across the world.
READ MORE: PM Nawaz Sharif leaves for USA to attend 71st session of UNGA
He was received at New York's Kennedy international airport by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, the Ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani, and senior officials of the Pakistani Mission.
Prime Minister Sharif's delegation includes Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to the PM on foreign affairs.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry told reporters that the prime minister will go through a tight schedule, including addressing the 193-member Assembly on September 21 and meeting at least ten world leaders, among other activities.
He said the prime minister will specifically focus on the current situation in Indian occupied Kashmir, particularly the continuing grave violations of human rights taking place there.
The foreign secretary said the prime minister would call on the international community and the United Nations to live up to their promise of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
READ MORE: Kashmir issue tops PM agenda at UN: Foreign Secretary
The Indian-held Kashmir is witnessing a massive uprising in which at least 80 people have been killed and some 10,000 have been injured, including 700 who have been rendered completely or partially blind due to use of pellet guns by Indian forces.
Among those whom Prime Minister Sharif will meet on the sideline of the General Assembly session are the presidents of Turkey and Iran and prime ministers of China and Japan.
Among his other engagements in New York, he will also address a business meeting organized by the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will make two other statements at the UN meetings on the global refugees crisis.
He will be joined in New York by the Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz and other senior officials.
