Riyaz ul Khaliq
25 September 2026•Update: 25 September 2026
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for “effective international action” to curb the rising trend of Islamophobia, “especially in our immediate neighborhood.”
He made the remarks during a meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Thursday, US time, on the sidelines of the ongoing 81st UN General Assembly in New York, according to a statement from Sharif’s office.
Sharif "sensitized" the UN chief on the "rising trend of Islamophobia especially in our immediate neighbourhood, necessitating effective international action to curb its prevalence," it said.
The UN has designated March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia.
Reiterating Pakistan’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and statehood, Sharif stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving regional tensions and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Iran war.
He also extended Pakistan’s “steadfast commitment” to multilateralism and the central role of the UN in promoting international peace and development.
As Guterres is set to leave his post later this year after two terms as UN chief, Sharif “lauded” his “principled role in upholding the UN Charter across the entire spectrum of the organization’s work for the betterment of humanity,” said the statement.
Sharif’s office said the outgoing UN chief commended Pakistan’s “leading role and strong voice at the UN, contribution to international peace and security and particularly appreciated the important mediation efforts undertaken by Pakistan for peaceful resolution of the conflict and durable peace and stability in the region.”
Pakistan has played a major role in mediating between the US and Iran since the war began at the end of this February.
