Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday. The Prime Minister’s address became a trending topic on Twitter, with his fans and countrymen lauding him on the one side, and the Indian media highlighting the speech’s supposed shortcomings on the other.
India walks out on PM’s speech
As the PM’s virtual speech started, the Indian delegate walked out of the UNGA session. Indian Diplomat Mijito Vinito stood up and blatantly walked out – a video that has surfaced online shows the Indian delegate leaving the UNGA hall as soon as Imran Khan’s address began at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The PM warned India that in the event of any unsolicited military advance by India, the same “will be met by a nation that is ready to fight till the end for its freedom.”
Khan, in his speech spoke about the rights of Kashmiris, and the injustices carried out in IIOJK at the behest of Modi’s fascist regime. “India’s objective is to impose what the RSS-BJP regime has itself called the ‘Final Solution’ for Jammu and Kashmir,” stated the PM.
The Permanent Representative of India at the United Nations TS Tirumurti dubbed the PM’s speech “a new diplomatic low” in his tweet, post the PM’s address.
Read More: Any move by India will be met by a nation that is ready to defend itself
PM of Pakistan statement a new diplomatic low – at 75th UN General Assembly. Another litany of vicious falsehood, personal attacks, war mongering and obfuscation of Pakistan’s persecution of its own minorities & of its cross-border terrorism. Befitting Right of Reply awaits.
— Amb T S Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) September 25, 2020
Will India avail right to reply?
India has the right to exercise its Right of Reply after all the country speeches in the high-level Debate of the 75th session of UNGA conclude. That is when countries start exercising their right to reply to the statements made by any other country against them.
Indian media and politicians though instantly criticized Khan for supposedly leveeing “personal attacks” against PM Modi and remaining silent on the treatment of Uighurs in China’s Xinjiang. Similarly, Mike Kugelman tweeted that Khan, like last year, tried to project himself as an Islamic leader, though his position was undercut by his silence on the Uighur situation.
No surprises in Imran Khan’s UNGA address. Much of the focus, like his speech last year, was on the themes of Islamophobia and Kashmir. He also discussed Palestine. Perhaps an effort to project himself as a pan-Islamic leader (but that’s undercut by his position on the Uighurs).
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) September 25, 2020
Read More: Western countries need to stop illegal money coming into their countries: PM Imran Khan
Pakistanis laud the PM for delivering a historic speech
Meanwhile, Pakistanis lauded the PM for delivering yet another historic speech at the UNGA session. Faisal Javed tweeted that the Prime Minister’s speech addressed all aspectes that concern the global community. The premiers short speech covered a vast array of topics ranging from COVID-19 to money laundering to the Afghanistan peace process and the situation in Palestine.
PM Imran Khan's brilliant speech covered all aspects that concern the global community. Islamophobia, Kashmir, Money laundering, Conflicts, Covid-19 & Oppression that relate to the majority of world's populace.#PMImranKhanAtUNGA spoke like a true global leader. Masha'ALLAH
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) September 25, 2020
Actor and singer Ali Zafar, tweeted that the PM’s compassionate speech at the General Assembly not just highlighted problems but also gave solutions. The Actor added that he hopes the United Nations would proactively play its role in resolving the issues mentioned by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
In my opinion, @ImranKhanPTI’s compassionate speech at @UN General Assembly not just highlighted problems but also gave solutions. Hoping that the #UnitedNations will proactively play its role in resolving them. #PMImranKhanAtUNGA #PMIKatUNGA ☮️ https://t.co/ChnoUl3Ivc
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) September 25, 2020
Federal Minister of Planning, Asad Umar tweeted “When Imran Khan speaks at a global forum he represents the voice & aspirations of Pakistani’s & muslims at large.. And does not try to say what he thinks will please the global audience. This independence comes from having no personal interests to protect.”
When @ImranKhanPTI speaks at a global forum he represents the voice & aspirations of Pakistani's & muslims at large.. And does not try to say what he thinks will please the global audience . This independence comes from having no personal interests to protect. #PMImranKhanAtUNGA
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) September 25, 2020