Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to travel to New York later this month to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where he is likely to highlight Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
The prime minister is scheduled to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on Sept 25, with the conflict in the Gulf expected to dominate discussions among world leaders during the high-level debate.
The official theme of this year’s session is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”. The general debate is scheduled to continue from Sept 22 to 26, with a final sitting on Sept 28.
Fighting between Washington and Tehran is expected to remain a major focus of the session, particularly amid concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, regional stability and prospects for a diplomatic resolution.
The participation of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also being closely watched. Iran has been listed as the fifth speaker on Sept 23, the second day of the high-level debate, although Tehran has yet to make a final decision on the president’s attendance.
Iranian officials have said the country is assessing the level of its participation, citing what they described as “illegal conditions” imposed by Washington regarding the Iranian delegation’s travel and attendance.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Sept 22, the opening day of the high-level debate, after Brazil, which traditionally delivers the first address. Prime Minister Shehbaz is also expected to attend a reception hosted by President Trump on the same day.
Israel, another party to the conflict, is scheduled to address the assembly on Sept 24, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu representing the country. India, meanwhile, will be represented by its foreign minister, who is due to speak on Sept 26.
According to diplomatic sources, Pakistan plans to use the UN forum to reiterate its position that the conflict should be resolved through negotiations rather than prolonged military action.
The prime minister is also expected to highlight Islamabad’s diplomatic contacts with countries involved in efforts to reduce tensions and prevent further escalation.
The Iranian issue has already gained prominence on the UN agenda ahead of the arrival of world leaders. The Security Council is scheduled to vote on Sept 17 on extending the mandate of the panel of experts monitoring sanctions on Iran. The panel’s current mandate expires on Sept 26, during the General Assembly’s high-level week.
The proposed extension is expected to expose divisions between the United States and its Western allies on one side and Russia and China on the other. Moscow and Beijing have opposed extending the monitoring mechanism, arguing that the Security Council no longer has the authority to continue the process in its current form.
The dispute is linked to the possible restoration of UN sanctions on Iran under the “snapback” mechanism. Britain, France and Germany had concluded last year that Tehran was not complying with its obligations under the 2015 nuclear agreement. Iran has rejected allegations that it is pursuing nuclear weapons.
The Sept 17 vote, coming just days before world leaders gather in New York, could further deepen diplomatic divisions over Iran.
For Pakistan, the conflict has added significance because of the country’s geographical proximity to the region and its economic and security interests in the Gulf.
Prime Minister Shehbaz is expected to be accompanied by a high-level delegation and hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
The UN session formally opened on Wednesday, with Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman assuming the presidency of the 81st General Assembly. He has identified peace and security, restoring trust in multilateral institutions and UN reform as key priorities of his presidency.
The session will also be the final one for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, whose term expires on Dec 31, 2026.
