New York/Islamabad – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used his address to the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to call on Afghanistan’s Taliban government to act decisively against terrorist groups operating on its soil, while also urging the global community to confront Islamophobia and discriminatory attitudes towards Muslims.

Sharif stressed that lasting peace in Afghanistan was “indispensable” for the security of the wider region. He said that Afghan soil must not be allowed to be used against any other country. 

“Today we face externally sponsored terrorism, particularly from groups like TTP, BLA and its [suicide wing] Majid Brigade, operating from Afghan soil. As Afghanistan’s neighbor, we have a direct stake in its peace and prosperity. But the Afghan interim government must ensure its soil is not used for terrorism,” he told the general assembly.

Sharif reminded delegates that Pakistan had borne a heavy cost in the fight against militancy. “Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms. For two decades, we have been on the front lines, sacrificing over 90,000 lives and bearing economic losses of $150 billion. These sacrifices must be respected and appreciated, for had these terrorists not been confronted by us, they would be roaming the streets of New York, London, and beyond,” he said.

Also See: At UNGA 80, Shehbaz Sharif Warns India on Kashmir, Calls for Palestine, Climate Justice, and End to Terrorism

Regional Security and India

The Prime Minister reiterated Islamabad’s concerns about militant networks operating from Afghanistan, naming groups such as the TTP and BLA in his wider speech. He linked regional instability to what he called India’s growing extremism. “India’s Hindutva-driven extremism threatens the entire world,” he said, warning that intolerance was not confined to South Asia but was fueling divisions worldwide.

Islamophobia and Global Responsibilities

Sharif expressed concern over rising Islamophobia and discriminatory practices. “There must be no space for hate speech or religious discrimination,” he said.

He welcomed the appointment of a UN special envoy to combat Islamophobia and emphasized that harmony among different faiths and cultures was the only way to build a safe and prosperous world.

Broader Agenda

The Prime Minister’s address also covered Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, Palestine, and climate change. He reaffirmed support for Palestinian statehood with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds as its capital, described Pakistan’s flood devastation as evidence of climate injustice, and underscored his government’s economic reforms and partnership with China through China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative.