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In Focus
PM Sharif at UNGA: Three Takeaways
Calls for ‘Proactive, not provocative’ leadership in South Asia
On 26 September, Dawn reported on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressing the 80th United Nations General Assembly, stressing that “South Asia needs proactive, not provocative, leadership.” He recalled the May 2025 military escalation with India, accusing New Delhi of “unprovoked aggression” and asserting that Pakistan responded under Article 51 of the UN Charter, destroying seven Indian jets. He credited the US and international mediation for halting hostilities.
The Prime Minister’s speech touched on multiple global and regional concerns. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and multilateralism. He also highlighted challenges such as intensifying conflicts, climate change, disinformation campaigns, and humanitarian crises. He reiterated support for the Palestinian people and called for the right of self-determination for Kashmiris. On terrorism, he vowed Pakistan’s commitment to fight extremist groups but urged Afghan authorities to stop militants from using their soil against Pakistan. He also denounced climate injustice, arguing that vulnerable states should not be burdened with more loans to recover from disasters.
The following are the takeaways from PM Sharif’s address:
First, the desire to project Islamabad as responsible. His address signalled Islamabad’s intention to present itself as a responsible and constructive actor internationally, while safeguarding national sovereignty. By emphasising Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to the UN Charter, PM Sharif sought to counter perceptions of Pakistan as reactive or solely security-focused. The speech highlighted Pakistan’s readiness to engage multilaterally and contribute to regional and global stability.
Second, emphasis on strength and deterrence. By recalling Pakistan’s military response in May, PM Sharif projected the country’s capability and resolve. Mentioning the destruction of Indian aircraft conveyed deterrence, reassuring domestic audiences. Yet, his insistence on “proactive, not provocative” leadership balanced this message with a commitment to diplomacy and stability, showing Pakistan prefers dialogue over conflict while remaining prepared to defend itself.
Third, focus on climate, debt relief, and regional security. PM Sharif framed Pakistan within the Asian countries’ struggle for equitable treatment, highlighting “climate injustice” and the need for debt-relief mechanisms. Simultaneously, he reiterated Pakistan’s position on Kashmir and urged Afghanistan to restrain militancy, linking security concerns with regional stability. This approach reinforced Pakistan’s dual message: one is engagement with international justice, and another is a firm stance on its core security priorities. ( “South Asia needs ‘proactive, not provocative’ leadership: PM,” Dawn, 27 September 2025)
On the Sharif-Trump Oval Office meeting
Responses to Sharif-Trump Meeting: From Euphoria to Caution
On 27 September, The Express Tribune editorial titled “A triumphant outcome,” hailed the Oval Office meeting between PM Sharif and President Trump as a win for Pakistan, stating that “ Islamabad is now being viewed once again as a strategic ally by Washington, and not through the prism of India and China.” It highlighted Pakistan’s move to seek reciprocal tariff concessions from 29 to 19 per cent, and Islamabad’s support for US claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, as instrumental in redefining the US-Pakistan relations. It also highlighted the agreement on the exploration and export of rare earth minerals as a triumph for Pakistan, and that the meeting “has set the momentum for renewed cooperation between the two countries.”
The News International, in an opinion entitled “What is Pakistan's leverage?”, identified Pakistan’s wealth of rare earth minerals as its ‘trump card’ in its new phase of relations with the US. “Leaders in Islamabad portray the trip as a reset that could shift relations from dependence on security rents to a new form of economic partnership,” the article said. It proposes that Pakistan’s possession of critical minerals can become value-added exports. Refining the minerals domestically would allow Pakistan to capture more of the supply chain, generating employment, foreign exchange, and industrial growth. The article highlighted that resource projects in the country often collapse due to disputes, corruption, or local resistance, stating that “Islamabad needs clear institutions and community consent.” The presence of Field Marshal Asim Munir at the meeting was interpreted as a reassurance that the army’s enforceability is guaranteed. “If Islamabad can persuade Washington that mineral development and trade create a stabilising effect along the frontier, it strengthens its case for long-term engagement,” opines the article.
It also argues that “warmer public embrace of Pakistan reminds India that Washington retains options,” particularly in light of recent tariff friction and India-Russia ties. It also notes that Washington’s interest in Islamabad’s minerals would clash with Beijing, which has made large-scale investments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPE), “embedding itself in infrastructure from Gwadar port to power plants.” The article anticipates Islamabad to pursue a highly transparent exchange with the US, with “open bidding, published contracts and clear royalty streams,” to deter China’s suspicions of a strategic drift. It also highlights that the US will need assurance that terrorist outfits in Afghanistan will not pose a threat to its investments. Further, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have repeatedly bailed out Pakistan, raising the probability of a triangular model of engagement, “where American technology and markets, Gulf capital and Pakistani ore combine.”
The article emphasises that the engagement should foremost benefit the Pakistan population in tangible, verifiable ways, where “revenues must translate into cheaper bills, functional clinics and better supplied schools.” It underscores that the youth population will truly determine the success of the partnership. Foreign investment and mineral revenue should be channelled into infrastructure development, education and training opportunities, and employment generation, and the overall growth of Pakistan’s domestic economy, argues the article.
Separately, Dawn, in an editorial titled “Oval Office meeting,” reads the meeting with scepticism, highlighting that “Historically, the relationship has been a transactional one, with the US supporting Pakistan and providing it arms and aid at key junctures....only to turn ambivalent, or even hostile, once its geopolitical aims were achieved.” It stated that the Biden era represented American indifference towards Pakistan, and President Trump is prone to change positions, arguing that “to formulate future policy on the basis of a few interactions would be unwise.” The editorial also highlights that Islamabad and Washington diverge in several key issues, including the Palestine question, ties with Iran, and the relationship with China. It cautions that Pakistan should be able to balance its relations with the US while standing firm on principle issues, and that “Pakistan should be prepared for abrupt changes in American policy.” (“A triumphant outcome,” The Express Tribune, “What is Pakistan's leverage?”, The News International, 27 September 2025; “Oval Office meeting, Dawn, 27 September 2025; 27 September 2025)
CIPR quadripartite issue joint statement urging Afghanistan to counter terrorism; Reiterates intent to expand economic cooperation with Kabul
On 27 September, Dawn reported that the foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia issued a joint statement urging Afghanistan to take “effective, concrete, and verifiable actions” to dismantle terrorist groups operating in the country. The statement was issued following the foreign ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly. They reaffirmed support for Afghanistan as an “independent, united, and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war, and narcotics,” but expressed serious concern over the presence of groups including, Al-Qaida, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Jaish ul-Adl, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the Majeed Brigade, and others, calling them a “serious threat to regional and global security.” The informal grouping of the four countries has been holding quadripartite consultations on Afghanistan since 2017, aimed at promoting regional stability and coordinating efforts to counter terrorism, narcotics, and extremism from Afghanistan. The group also meets at ministerial and special representative levels, seeking to facilitate political dialogue and regional economic integration in Afghanistan. The countries also recommended updating the 1988 UN sanctions framework to reflect current realities, including allowing travel exemptions for certain Taliban officials. They emphasised the importance of ongoing humanitarian aid for the Afghan people and called for such assistance to be separated from political agendas. Additionally, they backed regional economic projects aimed at alleviating Afghanistan’s severe crisis and promoting its integration into regional trade and connectivity networks. They also urged the international community to increase emergency humanitarian support and reiterated their intent to enhance economic cooperation with Afghanistan. (“Quadripartite moot urges Kabul to counter terrorism,” Dawn, 27 September 2025)
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