Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to keep Pakistan’s delegation to the 81st United Nations General Assembly significantly smaller, with only key officials expected to accompany him to New York, according to sources familiar with the government’s plans.
The move comes amid the government’s emphasis on austerity and reducing the size and cost of official foreign delegations.
According to sources, the delegation is expected to include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and senior foreign-policy adviser Tariq Fatemi, while several federal ministers who had initially been considered for the trip have reportedly been dropped.
Among those reportedly excluded are Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, the minister for climate change and environment, the planning minister and some other officials.
The decision to limit the size of the delegation is being viewed against the backdrop of the government’s broader efforts to reduce official expenses and exercise greater restraint during foreign visits.
Sources said the prime minister has directed that participation be limited to officials considered essential for the UN visit and related diplomatic engagements.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to travel to New York for the high-level segment of the 81st UN General Assembly following his stay in London.
The UN General Assembly’s high-level week is underway, with the General Debate scheduled from September 22 through September 26 and again on September 28.
The theme of the 81st session is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to address the General Assembly on September 25, presenting Pakistan’s position on major regional and international issues.
The Foreign Office said the prime minister’s address will highlight Pakistan’s perspective on regional and global developments, with emphasis on dialogue, diplomacy, restraint and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
His agenda is expected to include the situation in Palestine and Gaza, Jammu and Kashmir, Regional peace and security,
Climate change and sustainable development, Counterterrorism cooperation, Islamophobia, Global economic challenges, Issues facing the Global South, Reform of the United Nations,
International cooperation and multilateralism.
The Foreign Office also said the prime minister will attend high-level events and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and the UN secretary-general.
The prime minister’s visit comes when there are heightened international tensions, with the Middle East and U.S.-Iran relations expected to be important subjects of diplomatic discussions in New York.
Pakistan is expected to emphasize dialogue and diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts and avoid further escalation.
Other issues likely to feature in Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements include U.S.-Pakistan relations, Afghanistan, India-Pakistan relations, Kashmir, Palestine, relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, counterterrorism, economic cooperation and engagement with international financial institutions.
The 81st UN General Assembly is bringing nearly 130 heads of state and government to New York for the high-level week, making it one of the year’s largest gatherings of world leaders.
The UN says the high-level week will address conflicts and international security, climate change, sustainable development, pandemic preparedness, racism and other major global challenges.
