zardari-reuters670x350
President Asif Ali Zardari. — Photo by Reuters/File

UNITED NATIONS: President Asif Ali Zardari, who is set to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday evening, will share his vision and Pakistan's efforts to build peace, security and stability in the region and around the globe.

Briefing Pakistani journalists on the main points of the president's address, Ambassador Masood Khan said he will especially focus on Pakistan's sustained efforts in pursuit of its foreign policy goals and principles of the UN Charter.

Over 120 world leaders have gathered for the annual opening of the 193-member Assembly choking Manhattan's streets with motorcades and barricades manned by heavy police posses.

Masood Khan said President Zardari would also call on the General Assembly and individual member states to address the alarming situation created by the release of the blasphemous video made in the US that triggered riots across the Muslim world.

The President would condemn the video and urge the international community to evolve an “appropriate legislative framework” to proceed against such attacks.

One of the themes of the President's speech would be counter-terrorism and Pakistan's countless sacrifices — losing thosands of soldiers and civilians as well as political leaders, including Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, to terrorist attacks.

He would share Pakistan's compelling narrative of how Pakistan's men, women and children have given their lives to make the region and the world more secure.

The President would also highlight the efforts made in the past five years to consolidate democracy and strengthen democratic institutions in Pakistan. He would inform the international community about the initiatives taken by his government to eliminate poverty, promote social development, and to empower socially marginalised segments of the society, especially women.

Zardari would also refer to Pakistan's major foreign policy initiatives vis-a-vis Afghanistan and India.

The President Asif Ali Zardari would reaffirm Pakistan’s support for the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to choose their own destiny by peaceful means and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

President Zardari would emphasize that regional cooperation was necessary to fight illicit drug production and trafficking. His key message to the international community would win-win solutions through cooperation and connectivity.

Opinion

Editorial

Barren reforms
17 Jul, 2026

Barren reforms

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s assertion that agriculture and livestock hold the key to Pakistan’s quick...
Dumbing down?
17 Jul, 2026

Dumbing down?

THE awesome power of generative AI has raised concerns in academic and scientific circles about the impact the...
Eyeing the Margallas
17 Jul, 2026

Eyeing the Margallas

AS Pakistan battles a variety of climate crises, state institutions must do all possible to defend critical...
AJK violence
Updated 16 Jul, 2026

AJK violence

Violent confrontations have claimed some 30 lives of both security personnel and protesters since last month.
Deadly lapses
16 Jul, 2026

Deadly lapses

PAKISTAN has investigated too many HIV outbreaks over the past decade to still be surprised by the causes. The ...
Doomed tax initiative
16 Jul, 2026

Doomed tax initiative

THE FBR’s draft simplified tax regime for small shopkeepers is the latest in a long line of attempts to persuade...