Fri 27 September 2019:
During his speech at UNGA, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called on the UN to act on the ongoing lockdown of Kashmir, in a speech where he also covered corruption, climate change and Islamophobia.
“What is the world community going to do,” Khan said, asking “is [the world] going to appease a market of 1.2 billion or is it going to stand up for justice and humanity”.
Khan warned the situation in Kashmir could escalate, claiming Pakistan would be blamed by India for any future conflict and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not thought through the effects of revoking Kashmir’s special status.
“What will happen when the curfew is lifted is a bloodbath,” he said. “If a conventional war starts between the two countries, anything could happen.”
The former cricketer also warned of grave consequences if the two nuclear-armed neighbours were to be involved in a war.
“It’s not a threat, it’s a fair worry,” he said, calling on the UN to instead intervene.
Khan earlier accused India and its PM Narendra Modi of drumming up hostility towards Pakistan during the election campaign earlier this year, claiming Modi falsely accused Pakistan of helping armed groups in Kashmir.
Khan calls to combat corruption, climate change and Islamophobia
Imran Khan talked about the need for the world to do more on corruption and money laundering, which according to Khan stopped the developing world from reaching its potential.
“Money laundering is not treated the same way as for instance money from drugs or terror financing,” the Pakistani PM said.
Khan accused the developed world of not showing any political will to combat tax havens, which in turn lead to ruling elites to syphon of money.
The Pakistani leader also urged the world to combate climate change, saying richer countries should be pushed to act on the matter.
Khan said that since the September 11, 2001 attacks, Islamophobia has rapidly increased in Western countries.
“Islam is not radical, neither is Judaism, or Christianity, or Hinduism. The basis of all religion is compassion,” Khan said.
No mention of Kashmir in Modi’s address at UNGA
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not mention the ongoing lockdown of Kashmir in his addressed at UNGA on Friday. Speaking at the gathering, the PM instead talked about India’s and his government’s achievements.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
