PRIME MINISTER Imran Khan’s trip to New York has culminated

on a high note after a hard-hitting speech at the United Nations

General Assembly.

In the presence of world leaders, Mr Khan delivered a speech focused on four

key areas: climate change, financial corruption, the perils of Islamophobia and
lastly — and most importantly, since it was the main purpose of his visit —
Kashmir.

On the first three issues, Mr Khan made some valid points although more
informed input from his advisers could have yielded greater impact.

The prime minister spoke of Pakistan’s melting glaciers and the PTI’s tree
plantation initiative. But at the UNGA, where the existential threat of climate
change was a major theme, there was a need to underscore how Pakistan — a
country that is seeking opportunities to grow its economy — needs the
international community’s assistance to expand with the least possible
damage to the environment.

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His appeal to countries to assist Pakistan in combating the menace of money-
laundering was also relevant, though at times the prime minister meandered
into dharna-style politics which might have been lost on his international
audience.

On Islamophobia, Mr Khan delivered a very pertinent message on the

divisions a hate-filled mindset creates — indeed, it is a vital concern in a world
that is increasingly seeing tragedies such as the one in Christchurch. Pursuing
this theme on the international stage required more focused observations on
the difference in perception between the Western and Islamic worlds.

But all shortcomings were compensated for by the subject Mr Khan saved for
the last: the appalling situation in India-held Kashmir. He spoke with heartfelt
conviction: “What I know of the West, they wouldn’t stand for eight million
animals to be locked up. These are humans,” Mr Khan said as he spoke of the
pitiable conditions that people are living under in occupied Kashmir.

“I have pictured myself locked up for 55 days … Would I want to let this
humiliation continue? I would pick up a gun” are words that are likely to stay
with those who listened.

Besides drawing attention to the plight of the Kashmiris, Mr Khan framed his
plea to the international community by calling out the UN. “It is a test for the
United Nations. You are the one who guaranteed the Kashmiris the right [of
self-determination]. This is not the time for appeasement.”

Comparing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s association with the

Hindu nationalist RSS to Hitler and the Nazis, he asked how the world would
respond if it were Jews and not Muslims under curfew — a scenario that might
resonate more with an international community that for decades has rightly
viewed the Holocaust as amongst the worst atrocities in history. In delivering
an unequivocal, thunderous message to the world on Kashmir, Mr Khan did
the right thing for millions of Kashmiris living under siege. For that, he must
be given credit.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2019