Dar Skips UNGA Session for SCO Summit Preparations

In a significant development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan has announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar will not attend the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. This decision comes as a result of important diplomatic commitments and preparations for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, which is set to take place in Islamabad.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch addressed the media, clarifying the situation and dispelling any speculation regarding the deputy prime minister's participation in the UNGA session. She emphasized that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif's schedule for the UNGA remains unchanged. The Prime Minister is expected to attend the session from September 23 to 27, 2024, as previously announced by the Foreign Office.

Initially, it was anticipated that Deputy Prime Minister Dar would accompany Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with other senior government officials. However, the focus has now shifted solely to the Prime Minister's agenda. During his address at the UNGA, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to reaffirm Pakistan's unwavering commitment to multilateralism. He will also express support for the United Nations' role in promoting global peace, security, and prosperity.

Moreover, the Prime Minister plans to highlight pressing issues on the UN Security Council's agenda, particularly the long-standing questions surrounding Palestine and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. His participation will also include several high-level meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA session, addressing critical topics such as the existential threats posed by sea-level rise and the UN Security Council's open debate on leadership for peace.

In addition to these engagements, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, discussions with the UN Secretary-General, and interactions with members of the Pakistani diaspora. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Dar will be busy with his own set of high-level events and bilateral meetings with his counterparts. He is scheduled to represent Pakistan at the Summit of the Future, convened by the UN Secretary-General on September 22, and will also attend various ministerial meetings, including those of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement.

This development underscores the importance of diplomatic engagements for Pakistan on both regional and global platforms. As the country navigates its commitments, the focus remains on fostering international cooperation and addressing critical global issues. The absence of Deputy Prime Minister Dar at the UNGA may raise questions, but it also highlights the strategic priorities that Pakistan is currently pursuing. In a world where diplomacy plays a crucial role in shaping international relations, Pakistan's active participation in various summits and meetings is essential for its global standing and influence.