How Did PM Shehbaz React to Erdogan’s UNGA Speech on Palestine?

APP

New York: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, commending him for his impassioned speech at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which centered on the Palestinian crisis.

“The way President Erdogan highlighted the issue touched the hearts of all those present in the Assembly hall,” Prime Minister Shehbaz told reporters after the meeting, held on the sidelines of the UNGA session.

In his emotional address, President Erdogan criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Western countries’ support for Israel, asserting that “the values of the United Nations and the Western world are dying in Gaza.” He called for an “alliance of humanity” to halt Israel’s aggression.

“Along with the children in Gaza, the United Nations system is also dying, the truth is dying, the values that the West claims to defend are dying, and the hopes of humanity for a fairer world are dying one by one,” Erdogan said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed the strong, brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkey and noted that President Erdogan is expected to visit Pakistan soon.

On a separate issue, the prime minister addressed Pakistan’s ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stating that the deal is in its final stages of approval after Pakistan agreed to the IMF’s stringent conditions.

He expressed gratitude to China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE for their support, without which, he noted, securing the IMF deal would not have been possible.

The prime minister is expected to meet IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva shortly.

He acknowledged the economic challenges faced by Pakistan and credited collective efforts from the government and all institutions in overcoming them. Prime Minister Shehbaz concluded by praying for Allah’s guidance in serving the people of Pakistan.