Pakistan has planned to raise the Kashmir issue with full vigour in the upcoming summit of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) commencing mid next month although it would be subdued affair since most of the countries have informed the world body not to attend it at the head of state/government echelon.
It is unlikely that any of the P-5 (The US, China, Russia, France and United Kingdom) will be represented by their heads of government except US President Donald Trump viewed traditionally as host and he will deliver opening address as per tradition
Pakistan has suggested for holding the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Contact Group on Kashmir exclusive session on the brinks of the UNGA at the UN headquarters where the developments with regard to the issue including Indian brutalities against the Kashmiri people and flagrant defiance of the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions should be taken up for discussion.
The Group is headed by Turkey while Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Niger and Pakistan are members. The Group had its virtual meeting in June last where various aspects of the issue came under discussion.
Well-placed diplomatic sources told The News that Pakistan’s Permanent Representative (PR) for the United Nations Munir Akram has informed the government that the UNGA would be a low key affair this time due to COVID-19 and unfortunately New York where the UN headquarters is housed, badly infected by the virus. The report suggested that President Trump has hinted about his availability for the opening of the session and in his words “for making an important statement.” But the sources maintained that it couldn’t be stated with fair amount of certainty that the US president will turn up for the historic sitting of the summit.
The UN secretary general secretariat has made it clear to the missions of different countries that no country will be permitted to have more than two persons inside the auditorium of the UNGA on the occasion including the head of the delegation. The social distancing and other SOPs regarding COVID-19 would be adhered strictly. The sources said that Foreign Office here will put up its recommendations for representation in the UNGA to the Prime Minister Office (PMO) before end of the month as the event with the participation of the heads of state/government or delegations would be starting on September 21. Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is a keen orator, would like to address the UNGA through his virtual address. As far his personal appearance at the UN headquarters, it depends on the virus dissemination in New York during the days of the session. He could opt to travel to New York provided the situation improves.
In that case he would get an opportunity to have meeting with the US president. The UN headquarters have asked all the countries to dispatch their heads of delegation (head of state/government) recorded speeches of 15 minutes each or they can address the world body through virtual arrangement for same duration.
The 75th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 75) will open on September 15, and the first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, 22 September 2020.
