Sharif Tells UNGA: Pakistan Shot Down 7 Indian Jets, Stands With Palestine & Kashmir

UNITED NATIONS – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a fiery address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), declared that Pakistan downed seven Indian jets during the May conflict, while also voicing strong support for the people of Kashmir and Palestine, and warning of the climate crisis devastating Pakistan. He hailed the role of US President Donald Trump in brokering a ceasefire and even nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Key Highlights

• Conflict with India (May 2025): Pakistan says its forces downed 7 Indian jets during a four-day confrontation sparked after the Pahalgam incident.
• Ceasefire: Came after US President Donald Trump intervened; Pakistan nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Palestine: Sharif condemned Israel’s “genocidal onslaught” in Gaza, recalling the killing of Hind Rajab, and called for a Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Jerusalem as capital.
• Kashmir: Reiterated pledge that Kashmiris will get their right to self-determination under UN resolutions.
• Indus Waters Treaty: Warned Pakistan will defend its people’s water rights if India violates the treaty.
• Terrorism toll: Pakistan has lost 90,000 lives and suffered $150bn in economic losses over two decades.
• Climate disasters: Floods in 2022 caused $34bn losses; fresh floods in 2025 have killed 1,000+ people, displaced millions, and destroyed billions in crops and livestock.
• Debt vs climate: Pakistan contributes less than 1% of global emissions but faces huge losses; Sharif said developing countries should not be forced into more debt to cope with climate change.
• Reforms: Govt pursuing structural reforms in taxation, digitization, and investment; reaffirmed partnership with China through CPEC.
• UN role: Pakistan, as a non-permanent UNSC member, helped pass Resolution 2788 on conflict prevention.

War With India and Truce

Sharif reminded world leaders of his 2024 warning at the UN that Pakistan would respond decisively to aggression. He said that in May, India launched “unprovoked” attacks after blaming Pakistan for the Pahalgam incident, which killed 26 people.

“When our territorial integrity was violated, our forces mounted an operation of stunning professionalism… seven Indian jets turned to scrap and dust,” Sharif said. He added that Pakistan’s restraint in agreeing to a ceasefire — facilitated by Donald Trump — prevented a catastrophic war between two nuclear-armed states.

Kashmir and Palestine

Sharif said Pakistan will never abandon the people of Kashmir, promising that one day India’s oppression would end and Kashmiris would gain their right to self-determination.

On Palestine, he condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and recalled the tragic story of little Hind Rajab. Drawing parallels with a six-year-old Pakistani boy killed in recent Indian strikes, Sharif said the smallest coffins carry the heaviest weight.

“Palestine must be free, with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” he stressed.

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Terrorism and Regional Security

Sharif said Pakistan had suffered enormously in the fight against terrorism — with over 90,000 lives lost and $150 billion in economic damages. He blamed groups like the TTP, BLA and Majeed Brigade, allegedly operating from Afghan soil, for recent attacks including the Jaffar Express train bombing.

He said Pakistan supports regional peace in Afghanistan but insisted that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism.

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Climate and Floods

Turning to climate, Sharif said Pakistan is on the frontline of disasters it did not cause. After the $34 billion losses from 2022 floods, fresh floods in 2025 have once again devastated the country, killing over 1,000 people and displacing millions.

Despite contributing less than 1% of global carbon emissions, Pakistan is forced to borrow loans to deal with climate disasters, he said, calling this unjust. He urged developed countries to meet their climate finance commitments.

Pakistan’s Role at the UN

Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, where it backed Resolution 2788 on conflict prevention. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and multilateralism.

“Let us not just commemorate the UN’s 80 years — let us make history for the next 80,” he concluded.

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